LSU softball started its final series of the regular season with a 3-0 win against Auburn following a dominant second inning and defensive performance on Thursday.
After allowing only four hits and no runs, LSU’s three-run second inning was all that was needed to come out on top. This also marked the Tigers’ first SEC shutout of the season.
Head coach Beth Torina gave Paytn Monticelli the starting pitcher duties today, something not seen often this season. As the starter, Monticelli was excellent all night, finishing with a 2.21 ERA after allowing only four hits and forcing nine strikeouts.
After this top performance, Monticelli will likely be featured much more frequently in the SEC tournament next week.
The contest started after two weather delays pushed the matchup from 4 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. The wet conditions seemed not to faze the Tigers, though, as in the first, the defense forced a quick 1-2-3 inning. Sierra Daniel, Kylee Edwards, and Alix Franklin then loaded the bases with three singles.
Auburn’s defense managed to escape the inning without giving up a run, after Tigers pitcher, Ella Harrisson, forced two clutch strikeouts.
Monticelli started the second inning hot with two strikeouts before Auburn’s offense finally got going with two singles. Despite the hits, the Tigers again were held scoreless, giving LSU another chance to take the lead.
LSU batters found their way onto base easily in the second, after the inning started with a hit batter and a walk. Char Lorenz would become the first to advance home after an Auburn fielding error off Avery Hodge’s hit.
A single by Jaila Lassiter then sent Ally Hutchins home, before the inning was capped off by a Franklin RBI, giving Hodge the third run.
Both offenses seemed to lose momentum in the third, after falling to quick 1-2-3 out innings.
This continued through the fourth and fifth innings, as only walks and errors helped runners get on base, but no scores were made.
Both pitchers were dealing excellent games, and by the end of the fifth, they had combined for 11 strikeouts, while only allowing eight hits.
Auburn thought it could make a late comeback after starting the sixth inning with a double.
Yet, Monticelli refused to fall under pressure and kept dealing through the inning. Auburn was unable to get another hit in the sixth after Monticelli forced three straight outs.
LSU approached a fourth run after more Auburn errors led to easy bases, but some nice defense to end the inning held LSU’s lead to three with only one inning to go.
LSU’s defense continued its great night into the seventh, leaving no chance for an Auburn win. Monticelli ended her night with two more strikeouts to shut out the opposing Tigers 3-0.
LSU continues its final SEC series on Saturday for a doubleheader starting at 12:30 p.m.
