After dropping 2-of-3 games at home to Georgia last weekend, the fifth-ranked LSU softball team felt like it had to get some wins this weekend to keep pace in the Southeastern Conference race.
However, life on the road in the SEC is not easy as the Tigers had to travel to Tuscaloosa to take on No. 7 Alabama in a three-game series. LSU was not fazed.
Using a potent offensive attack all weekend, the Tigers swept the series from the Crimson Tide, capped off by a 10-7 victory Sunday to complete the sweep.
LSU is now 31-7 on the season with a 10-4 record in the SEC, while ‘Bama dropped to 28-9 on the year and 9-6 in the league.
On Sunday, LSU attacked early, but right on cue, ‘Bama usually responded as the result was in doubt all the way to the seventh inning.
The scoring started in the fourth inning and did not end until the seventh inning.
First baseman Stephanie Hill singled to center field with one out in the inning, which was followed by a walk by Emily Turner. Leigh Ann Danos then singled to right filed, scoring pinch runner Lauren Uhle. Camille Harris then reached on an infield single, scoring Turner and ending the scoring in the top of the fourth.
‘Bama took advantage of a Lauren Delahoussaye error in the bottom of the fourth to score one run in the inning.
In the top of the fifth inning, the LSU offense exploded, using three hits and a Crimson Tide error to plate four runs. Lauren Castle, who had three hits on the day, started off the inning with a single and Sara Fitzgerald capped it off with a single, scoring Julie Wiese.
But Alabama would not be denied, and off the strength of an Angela Johnson two-run home run also scored four runs on five hits in the bottom of the fifth, tightening the score to 6-5 in favor of LSU.
The Tigers big blow came in the top of the sixth.
LaDonia Hughes started the rally with a one-out bunt single. Castle then singled and scored Hughes after she stole second base. Leslie Klein then flew out and ‘Bama decided to intentionally walk Delahoussaye.
Hill then stepped up to the plate and took the first pitch she saw out over the left field fence, making the score 10-5 and ultimately providing the winning margin of 10-7.
Alabama decided to walk Delahoussaye because of the day she had during the doubleheader Saturday.
She had six RBIs and two two-run home runs to lead the Tigers to a pair of wins, 6-2 and 9-6, respectively.
“It was an incredible day for Delahoussaye,” said LSU coach Yvette Girouard. “We had an outstanding day offensively. We swang the bat with tremendous authority.”