LSU Softball emerged victorious in its first game of in-conference play in a matchup against the No.23-ranked Kentucky Wildacts by a commanding final score of 4-1, securing its tenth consecutive win.
Continuing the ongoing trend of getting on the board in earlier innings, the Tigers found themselves in a rather favorable situation only three batters into this SEC affair.
Junior centerfielder Jalia Lassiter reached on a fielder’s choice at second base, and red-hot catcher Maci Bergeron drew a hard-fought walk on a full-count pitch.
After advancing on a wild pitch thrown by Kentucky’s starting pitcher Sydney Langdon, two base runners were in scoring position with only one out secured in the first inning.
Capitalizing on this scoring opportunity, redshirt freshman first baseman Tori Edwards ripped a single up the middle that plated Lassiter without a throw.
Scoring the first run in the first inning of the first game of in-conference play for the purple and gold.
And the Tigers’ bats were far from being handled.
Coming to the plate next was senior right fielder McKenzie Redoutey, who has performed exceptionally well this season from the plate and leads the team with nine doubles.
Swinging on the first pitch of her at-bat, Redoutey clobbered a ball into the gap in left center field.
In an attempt to prevent the ball from rolling toward the outfield wall, Kentucky left fielder Hallie Mitchell had trouble fielding it, which allowed Redoutey to advance to third on her second triple of the season (tied for first with shortstop Avery Hodge on the team).
The Tigers’ lead increased now to 3-0.
Moving forward, in the top of the second inning, LSU’s defense showed impressive glimpses of flashing the leather across the infield diamond.
Kentucky right fielder Peyton Plotts put a solid swing on a scorching hot grounder to second baseman Sierra Daniel. Managing to corral the ball successfully, Daniel secured the first out of the inning.
Two batters later, veteran third baseman Danieca Coffey would also glove a hard-hit ball while moving toward the foul line. With a strong throw across the diamond, the top of the inning came to a close.
Three up and three down.
In the bottom of the second inning, in her second at-bat of the game, Redoutey approached the plate with the bases loaded and only one out captured.
Once again, swinging on the first pitch, Redoutey belted a single into left field and scored DP McKaela Walker standing up. Committing to aggressive baserunning, junior shortstop Avery Hodge was thrown out at home plate by Kentucky’s left fielder Halie Mitchell by a couple of feet.
The Tigers were now leading by a score of 4-0.
After these two tough innings, the day for Kentucky’s starting pitcher Sydney Langdon came to a close.
Her final line would be 2.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, and two strikeouts.
Entering the top of the third inning, trouble started brewing for the Tigers.
Following a lead-off walk, single to left field, and a fielding error by third baseman Danieca Coffey, the Wildcats found themselves with the bases loaded and only one out.
However, starting pitcher Sydney Berzon would navigate around these baserunners and only surrendered one run on a sacrifice fly to center field by Kentucky DP McKenzie Bump.
The remainder of the game went by rather quickly. Both teams’ pitching found its groove, as the remaining 4.5 innings remained scoreless, and only two Tigers advanced to scoring position.
Tigers’ starting pitcher Sydney Berzon captured her tenth win of the season (10-0), and her final line would be 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, and five strikeouts on 89 total pitches thrown.
No.4-ranked LSU Softball enters the weekend with significant confidence behind its growing winning streak. On Saturday, March 15, at 5:00 p.m. CST at Tiger Park, the purple and gold will face the Kentucky Wildcats in the second game of the three-game series.
