 Photo By: Jonathan Mailhes Da Boot Sports 3/28/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 22 LSU’s (22-12, 3-3 SEC) falls to No. 8/10 Arkansas (22-6, 4-2 SEC), 7-3 Monday night at Bogle Park to take the three-game series. Sophomore Ciara Briggs led the LSU offense with two hits and two RBIs, including her second home run of the season. Sophomore Danieca Coffey was 2-for-3 at the dish as well, while sophomore Taylor Pleasants hit a solo shot in the fourth inning, her sixth of the season. Junior Ali Kilponen allowed seven hits gave up two walks, threw one strikeout and earned two runs in 4.2 innings of relief. Senior Shelbi Sunseri (5-4) was given the start and loss after allowing five hits and five runs with two strikeouts in 1.1 innings pitched. Arkansas put up five runs in the first inning highlighted by a grand slam from senior Linnie Malkin. Both teams remained scoreless for two complete innings before the Tigers pieced together a three-run half inning in the third thanks to a leadoff triple from Coffey and back-to-back dingers from Briggs and Pleasants. LSU retired the first three Razorbacks in the bottom half inning, making the score 5-3, Arkansas through four. LSU threatened in the top of the fifth with three consecutive singles to load the bases with two outs but was unable to cross a run. The Razorbacks capitalized with a run in the bottom half to increase their lead 6-3 after five frames. Arkansas padded its lead with another run in the sixth inning and closed the door by retiring the Tigers in order in the seventh to win the series. ON DECK LSU will have a midweek game at Tiger Park against McNeese on Wednesday, March 30 that was originally scheduled for April 19. Tickets with the original date will be valid for entry. First pitch is for 6 p.m. and the game will be aired on SECN+.
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 Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/27/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sophomore Ali Newland and junior Georgia Clark drove in all seven of No. 22 LSU’s (22-11, 3-2 SEC) runs in the 7-4 victory over No. 8/10 Arkansas (21-6, 3-2 SEC) Sunday afternoon at Bogle Park. The Tigers even the series 1-1 as they claim their fourth win over a top 10 program this season and sixth overall against a nationally ranked team. Newland went 2-for-4 at the plate and recorded her fourth career four-RBI game and third this season. Clark drove in the other three runs with a double in the seventh inning to extend and seal the game for LSU. Sophomore Ciara Briggs and freshman McKenzie Redoutey each had two hits in the game. It was Briggs’ 30th career multiple hit game and 14th this season. Junior Ali Kilponen improved to 11-4 in the circle and turned in her ninth complete game this season. Kilponen threw five strikeouts, walked three batters, and allowed four runs on seven hits. Arkansas got on the board first with a two RBI double in the first inning for an early 2-0 lead. After a pair of scoreless innings for both clubs, Redoutey singled and Newland followed with a two-out RBI double to cut the lead in half, 2-1 through four innings of play. The Tigers went down in order in the top of the fifth frame, and in the bottom half inning the Razorbacks increased their margin 3-1 thanks to a solo shot from graduate Taylor Ellsworth. In the sixth inning, sophomore Taylor Pleasants got things going with a leadoff single. Freshman KK Madrey pinch ran for her and found her way to third base after a couple of wild pitches. With two outs, Redoutey drew a walk, setting the stage for Newland’s at-bat with runners on the corners. Newland attacked the first pitch and sent it over the center field wall to give LSU a 4-3 lead. Arkansas crossed one run in the bottom of the sixth as both teams entered the seventh inning tied, 4-4. Sophomore Danieca Coffey hit a leadoff double to right field to open the seventh inning and a bloop single from Briggs put runners in scoring position. Pleasants was walked to load the bases and Clark cleared the bags with a three-RBI double to left center field, giving LSU a 7-4 lead with no outs. The next six batters were retired for both teams including three groundouts for the Razorbacks to complete the come-from-behind victory for LSU. ON DECK The LSU-Arkansas series will conclude with a 6 p.m. pitch on Monday, March 28.  Photo By: wafb.com Da Boot Sports 3/26/2022 LSU Communications By: Keonte Herrera FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 22 LSU’s (21-11, 2-2 SEC) rally attempt fell short as they lost to No. 8/10 Arkansas (21-5, 3-1 SEC), 8-7 Saturday night at Bogle Park. For the second consecutive game, sophomore Taylor Pleasants logged three hits (3-for-4) and had two RBIs thanks to her two-run shot that brought the Tigers within one run in the sixth inning. Senior Shelbi Sunseri also had three hits on the day (3-for-4) including a home run but was credited with the loss in the circle (5-3) after giving recording three strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Freshman Raelin Chaffin got the start and registered the first two outs of the game. Junior Georgia Clark had two RBIs with her dinger in the third inning and sophomore Danieca Coffey also turned in a pair of RBIs. Sophomore Ciara Briggs went 2-for-3 at the dish and scored two runs in the setback. LSU struck first with a sacrifice fly from Clark to score Briggs who drew a walk in her first at bat. The Razorbacks answered quickly however with a leadoff home run and got a two-out RBI single to make the score 2-1 after the opening inning. In the second stanza with the first two batters retired, sophomore Cait Calland was hit by a pitch and freshman Sydney Peterson singled before the Tigers scored on RBI single by Coffey. The Razorbacks closed out the inning to stop the momentum and took a 4-2 advantage after scoring two more runs in the bottom half. LSU scored three runs on two hits, highlighted by back-to-back solo shots from Clark and Sunseri. After a groundout for out No. 2, four consecutive Tigers took base on balls, including an RBI for Coffey that gave LSU a 5-4 lead. Arkansas opened the bottom half of the frame with a double and an RBI single to tie the game 5-5 after three. The Razorbacks held the Tigers scoreless for two consecutive innings and added another two-run frame in the fourth and one run in the fifth to take an 8-5 lead through five. Briggs led off the sixth inning with a bunt single and Pleasants’ two-run homer to center field brought the Tigers within one run, 8-7. The score remained the same after LSU held Arkansas scoreless for the first time in the game, but unfortunately could not muster any offense in the top of the seventh as they went down in order to end the game. ON DECK Game two of the three-game series at Arkansas will continue tomorrow at noon and will be televised on ESPN2.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/23/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera BATON ROUGE, La. – Junior Ali Kilponen threw her first career no-hitter as No. 22 LSU (21-10) run-ruled Nicholls State (8-18), 12-0 Wednesday evening at Tiger Park. Kilponen improved to 10-4 on the season after striking out 11 of the 17 batters faced with just two walks. Her 11 strikeouts matched her season high. Sophomore Ciara Briggs went 3-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored and two RBIs, and classmate Taylor Pleasants also went 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Sophomore Kennedi Houshmandzadeh led the team with three RBIs after hitting her first career home run, sophomore Ali Newland picked up two ribbies on two hits, and junior Georgia Clark also drove in two RBIs to bring her season total to 39. The Tigers opened the game with four runs on five hits in the first inning. Briggs got on base with a bunt single and raced to third base off a single from Pleasants. Clark followed with a double over the right fielder’s head to score Briggs for the first run of the game. Senior Shelbi Sunseri’s sacrifice fly brought Pleasants home, and freshman McKenzie Redoutey and Newland followed with a RBI single and RBI double, respectively to cap the first inning. LSU kept the bats moving in the second frame as they scored seven runs highlighted by a three-run shot from Houshmandzadeh that put the Tigers up, 11-0. Briggs led off the third inning with her third single of the game and crossed home plate thanks to sophomore Raeleen Gutierrez’s RBI goundout to extend the Tigers’ lead, 12-0. Kilponen closed the door by striking out the side in the top of the fifth inning and retired nine consecutive batters to seal the game. Head Coach Beth Torina On Ali Kilponen’s no-hitter… “She decided that she was going to make some adjustments and executed a really good plan. Part of the adjustment was just being more aggressive. You saw that from her tonight, and she was rewarded.” Pitcher Ali Kilponen On her no hitter performance… “It is kind of a surreal moment. It is something that I have worked for since I have been here and since I have become a pitcher. I just had to put trust in my coach, myself, and in my teammates. We had a really challenging weekend. Coach and I had a serious conversation on things to work on, so today I was working on different things, and it was cool to see it pay off.” On what it meant to earn her first no hitter… “It is so cool. It is my senior year and my first no hitter, but I think the whole situation of the game was cool. Kennedi [Houshmandzadeh] hit her first home run, Ali [Newland] and I are the batteries of the team, and the team was hitting well. It was a good night.” ON DECK LSU travels to Fayetteville, Ark. To take on No. 10 Arkansas for a three-game series March 26-28.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/19/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera AUSTIN, Texas – No. 18/20 LSU (20-10) dropped both games Saturday against Texas (21-9-1), 4-0 and 11-10 at Red & Charline McCombs Field. Both sophomore Taylor Pleasants and freshman McKenzie Redoutey went 3-for-3 at the plate and had an RBI, while junior Georgia Clark was 3-for-4 at the dish with a team-high three RBIs. Both Clark and Redoutey had home runs on the day for the Tigers. Game One The Longhorns struck with a solo shot to left centerfield in the second inning and added another run in the third for an early 2-0 lead. Texas’ freshman Katie Cimusz who homered in the second went yard again in the fourth, and senior Mary Iakopo went the distance in the sixth inning to give Texas a 4-0 lead. LSU finished with one hit from freshman Sydney Peterson and classmate Raelin Chaffin (4-1) was credited her first loss of the season after throwing 5.0 innings. Junior Shelby Wickersham threw 1.0 to finish the game. Game Two LSU started fast with four extra base hits in the first inning to build a 3-0 lead. Sophomore Danieca Coffey hit a leadoff double and reached third base thanks to a fielding error. She was brought home on sophomore Ciara Briggs’ sacrifice fly to score the first run of the weekend for the Tigers. Pleasants doubled to right center following Briggs at bat, and Clark sent one over the centerfield wall to build the LSU 3-0 lead. In the second inning, Redoutey logged the Tigers second home run of the game with a shot down the right field line on a 1-1 pitch to make the score 4-0. LSU would stretch its lead to 7-0 with its second three-run stanza in the top of the third, but UT scored two runs in the bottom half to make the score 7-2 through three innings. The Longhorns cut into the Tigers’ lead by holding them to no runs over the next two frames and scored two in the fourth. LSU struck again for another three-run inning in the sixth highlighted by an RBI triple from Briggs. Texas responded with five runs in the bottom half inning to come within one run, 10-9. LSU had two base runners in the seventh but could not add to its lead before Texas had its final shot. The Tigers recorded two quick outs with a groundout to shortstop and a flyout to left field, however, a fielding error by the Tigers put the tying run on base. UT’s freshman Mia Scott singled to right field, and with runners on first and second facing a full count, junior McKenzie Parker doubled to left field to plate both runners and seal the walk-off win. Senior Shelbi Sunseri (5-2) got the start and was handed the loss after throwing 4.1 innings. Sunseri was relieved by junior Ali Kilponen in the bottom of the fourth inning for 1.2 innings, and Wickersham came in to record the final two outs of the frame before Sunseri returned in the seventh. ON DECK LSU will return home for a 6 p.m. midweek game on Tuesday, March 22 against Nicholls State before jumping back into SEC play March 26-28 with a three-game series at Arkansas.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/18/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera AUSTIN, Texas –No. 18/20 LSU (20-8) fell 3-0 to Texas (19-9-1) Friday evening at Red & Charlene McCombs Field. Senior Shelbi Sunseri extended her hitting streak to four games in her return and threw 4.0 innings where she gave up just one walk. Sophomore Ali Newland recorded the team’s only extra-base hit with a double in the second inning, and freshman Sydney Peterson recorded her fourth hit of the season to account for the Tigers three hits. Junior Ali Kilponen (9-4) got the start in the circle and threw 2.0 innings. A two-out RBI single put Texas on the board in the second inning, and the Longhorns followed with a two-RBI double in the third. The Tigers defense settled in by ending the fourth and fifth innings with double plays and sat the Horns first three batters down in the sixth stanza, but the visiting team mustard just one base runner in the final four innings themselves. Texas pitcher Estelle Czech (7-1) earned the complete-game shutout win with five strikeouts and one walk. ON DECK LSU and Texas will complete the three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader at 2 and 4:30 p.m.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/16/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonta Herrera BATON ROUGE, La. –No. 18/20 LSU (20-7) scored 10 runs in the third and fourth inning combined to run-rule Southeastern Louisiana (14-8), 11-2 in five innings Tuesday at Tiger Park. LSU showed its depth as freshman Baylea Brandon led the team with a season-high three hits and five RBIs. Brandon was a triple short of hitting for the cycle. Sophomores Raeleen Gutierrez and Taylor Pleasants both had a pair of RBIs on the night with Pleasants hitting her fourth home run of the season. Reigning SEC Freshman of the Week Raelin Chaffin improved to 4-0 this season after throwing 4.0 innings with four strikeouts with no walks and two hits. Sophomore pitcher Taylor Edwards came in to close the game in the top of the fifth inning. The Tigers put one run on the board in the second inning thanks to an RBI single from Brandon. LSU proceeded to score six runs in the third inning highlighted by a two RBI home run from Pleasants, and a three RBI dinger from Brandon to make the score, 7-0. In the fourth inning Gutierrez dialed up a two RBI double to center field to score Pleasants and sophomore Morgan Smith who both walked. Brandon and sophomore Cait Calland followed with a pair of RBI doubles to seal a four-run inning to make the score 11-0 through four frames. SLU crossed a pair of runs with two outs on the board, but Tigers shut the door with an unassisted out at first to end the game. Head Coach Beth Torina On what she saw from Raelin Chaffin… “I thought she did a good job. She did exactly what we needed. I thought the entire game was what we needed to see tonight for our team. We were able to make offensive adjustments from pitcher to pitcher and I think they did a good job showing up and doing exactly what we needed to do.” On the difference between Raelin Chaffin early in the season to now… “She is a freshman, it takes time. She is getting her feet wet and getting some experience. I am sure she has been fighting through some nerves, but I think she is getting better every day.” Outfielder Baylea Brandon On her performance after being a triple shy of the cycle… “I was very stoked about it. I worked hard to get my opportunity tonight and I capitalized on it.” On her three-run home run to right field…. “The first pitch, they threw me in, and I was not expecting it. The next one was out. I knew she was coming back in, and I jumped on it.” ON DECK LSU heads to the Lone Star State for a three-game series at Texas March 18-19.  Photo By: theadvocate.com Da Boot Sports 3/13/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera BATON ROUGE, La. –No. 21 LSU (19-7) fell in the series finale to No. 2 Alabama (21-2), 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Tiger Park. The Tigers take the three-game series from the Crimson Tide, 2-1. LSU batted .280 on the weekend highlighted by four home runs and held the Bama bats to a .176 average. Sunday, sophomore Danieca Coffey went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored one run. Coffey extended her hitting streak to eight games and now has 12 multiple hit games this season. Junior Morgan Cummins logged the Tigers’ other hit on the day and sophomore Ciara Briggs recorded the team’s lone RBI with a sacrifice fly. For the third time this series, Alabama started the scoring thanks to a solo shot in the top of the second inning. The Crimson Tide crossed another run in the top of the third, but the Tigers responded with a run of their own in the bottom half. Briggs’ sacrifice fly scored Coffey who reached on a single, making the score 2-1 through three innings. Junior Ali Kilponen allowed just one base runner after retiring 11 consecutive batters over the next four innings. She finished with six strikeouts and relinquished five hits and three walks in the complete game effort. LSU threatened in the fifth inning. Cummins singled and sophomore Cait Calland came in as a pinch runner. Calland moved over to second base after freshman Sydney Peterson executed the sac bunt. Coffey logged her second hit of the day with a two-out single to left field. Calland charged home on the hit but was thrown out thanks to a well thrown ball from the outfield to end the inning. LSU was not able to secure another base runner in the sixth or seventh innings. Head Coach Beth Torina On the weekend as a whole… “It was a solid weekend. The part that is not fun is knowing how close we were to winning the third one. There were so many ways that it could have gone different. That is what makes it tough, but overall, it is a very solid weekend for our team.” On Danieca Coffey’s improvement throughout the year… “She has worked hard for every inch that she has gotten. She has worked so hard to try to clean up her defense and be in the offensive spot that she is. She is an exciting player, I love what she is doing for us offensively and am starting to see so many good things coming from her on the defensive side, too.” Pitcher Ali Kilponen On her performance on the mound… “I think today was a good day. It was a pitcher’s battle, but I also think it was a defensive battle. My defense worked hard for me today. It was amazing to see some of the plays that people have been working so hard for like Danieca Coffey. She worked hard all weekend on getting her glove side and she made some great plays for me out there on defense. Honestly, I really trusted my change-up today and it was effective. I have been working hard on that this past week.” On winning two out of three against the No. 2 team in the nation… “Yes of course we wanted to sweep the series, but at the same time we won two games. It just shows us that we can do it. Why not us? We are that good and we work that hard. It is time to prove some people wrong.” Infielder Danieca Coffey On if she thought they tied the game with her hit in the fifth inning... "I knew I hit it pretty hard, and they were playing me pretty shallow, so I knew it was going to be close. Cait [Calland] ran her best and whatever Coach [Torina] decided is what we go with.” On taking two out of three against No. 2 Alabama... “It did give us a boost. I think everyone underestimates us because we are ranked 21, but we must go into it with the mentality ‘Why not us?’ They were 20-0, so why couldn't we be the first ones to beat them?” ON DECK LSU will host a midweek game against Southeastern Louisiana at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 15 before its three-game series at Texas March 18-19.  Photo By: wbrz.com Da Boot Sports 3/12/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera BATON ROUGE, La. – Junior Georgia Clark and freshman pitcher Raelin Chaffin powers No. 21 LSU (19-6) pass No. 2 Alabama (20-2), 13-6 in game one and 5-1 in game two Saturday at Tiger Park. Clark led the Tigers with a .667 batting average with four hits, including three home runs. She also drove in eight RBIs to boost her total to 34 ribbies on the year. Chaffin (3-0) tossed her second complete game of the season and was one batter shy of recording a perfect game. In addition to snapping a six-game losing streak in head-to-head meetings versus the Crimson Tide, the Tigers knocked off the No. 2 team in the country for the first time since defeating Auburn 8-0 in six innings six years to the day (March 12, 2017) and won their first three-game series against Alabama since the 2015 season. The Tigers hit .340 on the day while holding UA to a .163 average. LSU outhit Alabama 18-8, including a season-high 15 hits in game one, and held their opponent to seven runs in 14.0 innings who entered the weekend averaging 6.55 runs per game. Sophomore Danieca Coffey went 3-for-5 at the plate and had two RBIs and two runs as she extended her hitting streak to seven games and her reached base streak to 23. Junior Raeleen Gutierrez also had three hits, while Taylor Pleasants, Ali Newland, and Ciara Briggs each had two hits on the day. Pleasants also had a home run and had three RBIs in the doubleheader. Game One The Crimson Tide got on the board first with a solo shot to centerfield in the top of the second inning. The Tigers responded with a pair of singles from Newland and Gutierrez, and Freshman McKenzie Redoutey drew a walk to load the bases with one out. Coffey earned an RBI by taking a base on balls to score Newland, and LSU gained the lead when Gutierrez scored on a wild pitch. The Tigers walked in another run to cap a three-run inning. Alabama led off the third stanza with another home run and a sacrifice fly tied the game, 3-3. LSU kept the advantage however with another leadoff single from Newland and a double from Gutierrez to put both runners in scoring position. Junior Morgan Cummins grounded out but scored Newland to regain the lead, and Gutierrez capitalized on a passed ball to make the score 5-3 through three innings. In the top of the fifth, Bama took a 6-5 lead with three runs on three hits. However, The Fighting Tigers erupted for six runs in the bottom half inning, highlighted by a three-RBI home run from Pleasants. Redoutey tied the game with an RBI double and Coffey’s RBI single gave LSU a 7-6 lead before Pleasant’s homer. Freshman Presleigh Pilon added another run with an RBI triple to make the score 11-6 after five frames. The Tigers padded their lead after Clark went yard in the sixth inning, driving in two more runs to increase their margin, 13-6. Junior Ali Kilponen earned the win after throwing four innings of relief with a pair of strikeouts. Senior Shelbi Sunseri got the start, and junior Shelby Wickersham made an appearance for 2.0 innings. Game Two Chaffin retired 21 of the 22 batters she faced, recording five strikeouts and no walks as she improved to 3-0. Like game, one, Alabama hit a home run in the second inning to strike first. In the bottom of the third, freshman Sydney Peterson was hit by a pitch and Coffey singled to center field. With two outs, Pleasants was intentionally walked to load the bases and cleanup hitter Clark did her job with a home run to left field, giving the Tigers a 4-1 lead. Clark struck again for her third dinger of the day in the sixth inning to increase LSU’s margin 5-1. In the top of the seventh, Chaffin continued to deal as she retired the first three batters, including a strike out to seal the game. Head Coach Beth Torina On Raelin Chaffin’s game on the mound… “You never know what is going to happen when you go into a series, that is why you have everyone ready. We had all hands-on-deck, and that is the point of having a deep pitching staff. You never know when your number was going to be called, and she was ready when her number was called today.” On Georgia Clark’s offensive performance… “She was incredible. Shelbi Sunseri is a big leader for us, so I did not want us to take a dip when she left. I wanted us to continue playing and play for her if we had to. Georgia is an incredible talent. She and Shelbi are our leaders.” Infielder Georgia Clark On the game… “I think we prepared so well. All our coaches this whole week were like ‘it is going a be challenging practice.’ It is the number two team in the country, so we were focused on who our opponent was and basically what our plans were the whole week. Practice was hard. There were a lot of days where we were frustrated, and it was not fun. Then we get out here for games like this and it makes it all worth it. We put on a great show in front of our fans. It was just a great day for us.” On her grand slam… “I was just looking for a pitch to drive. They had just walked Taylor [Pleasants] in front of me. I felt that a little bit in my heart. I am not going to lie to you guys. It felt good getting that one out of the way. I was like ‘hey, this one felt good.’ I saw a pitch I could drive and just basically smoked it. I told myself ‘Don’t be late, get on time.” Pitcher Raelin Chaffin On her one hit performance... “I guess I do not pay attention that much, but I did not even know it was a one hitter. It was the last inning and I looked up and saw a one on the board. I did not even know I was going to start, I thought they were going back to Ali [Kilponen]. Once I knew I got the start I knew it was time to get to work.” On her initial reaction to starting... “I was freaking out a little bit, but I was talking to Ali Kilponen and the last couple games I pitched I did not get the result I wanted. I know I can be so much better than what I have been doing, so when coach told me I was starting, I went in with the mindset, why not me? Why not LSU? Why not us? ON DECK LSU will end the series with Alabama Sunday with a 2 p.m. game on SECN+.  Photo By: Jonathan Mailhes Da Boot Sports 3/10/2022 By: Terrill J. Weil BATON ROUGE, LA - There has been a change to this weekend's LSU softball schedule due to the high chance of bad weather in the area tomorrow. LSU and Alabama will not play on Friday. A double header will be played on Saturday March 12th starting at 1:00pm with the second game schedule to begin at 3:30pm. Sunday's game remains unchanged as first pitch is set for 2:00pm.  Photo By: Jonathan Mailhes Da Boot Sports 3/10/2022 LSU Sports Communication By: Keonte Herrera BATON ROUGE, La. – The No. 21 LSU softball team (17-6) opens its SEC slate with a challenge against No. 2 Alabama (20-0). The three-game series will take place March 11-13 at Tiger Park. First pitch Friday, March 11 will be at 6 p.m. with the game streamed on SECN+. Saturday’s national nightcap will begin at 8 p.m. on SEC Network, and the series finale will be played at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 13 on SECN+. In addition to celebrating 50 years of opportunity for women thanks to Title IX, Saturday’s game also marks the annual LSU Softball Alumnae and Letterwinner Day. Over 50 former letterwinners are expected to attend. Letterwinners from the 1979, 1980, and 1981 teams will participate in Saturday’s ceremonial first pitch. The Tigers are coming off a 5-1 weekend at the LSU Invitational / ULL Crossover where they logged two wins over then-No 21 UL-Lafayette, and a win against Troy, Louisiana Tech, and Central Connecticut State. LSU enters the weekend ranked No. 6 in the SEC with 173 hits, No. 8 with 126 RBI, and leads the conference with 95 walks. LSU has two of the top five hitters in the country in sophomores Danieca Coffey (.440) and Ciara Briggs (.432). Coffey has 33 hits this season (No. 3 in the NCAA), has reached base in 21 consecutive games, and is currently on a five-game hitting streak with 10 RBIs this season. Briggs has 32 hits on the year (No. 5 in the NCAA), has reached base in every game this season, and is on a four-game hitting streak with nine RBIs. Senior Shelbi Sunseri and junior Georgia Clark account for 14 of the team’s 23 home runs with Sunseri leading the way with eight (T-No. 3 in the SEC). Clark ranks No. 9 in the NCAA with 26 RBI to go along with her six homers this season which is ranked fourth in the SEC. Junior Ali Kilponen is the Tigers’ ace and has an 8-2 record in the circle this season in 12 appearances. Kilponen has a 1.16 ERA, leads the SEC with three shutouts, and ranks No. 7 in the conference with 55 strikeouts. Sunseri is 5-1 this season on the rubber with a 1.63 ERA and has 38 strikeouts in 51.2 innings pitched. Sunseri threw her first shutout of the season last weekend and has a total of four complete games, and one save this season. LSU is 20-4 all-time in SEC openers and 17-7 in SEC home openers. In the last 10 SEC opening games, the Tigers are 8-2 and have won three consecutive league opening games. THE LINEUP The Tigers are 43-40 overall against Alabama despite dropping the last six meetings. LSU’s last win over Alabama was a 1-0 victory in Tuscaloosa on April 8, 2017. The last time the Tigers beat the Crimson Tide at home was an 8-1 decision on March 13, 2016. Alabama is the SEC preseason favorite and has held the No. 2 spot in the country since the preseason polls. UA is led by its pitching where they lead the SEC with a 1.06 ERA (No. 3 in the NCAA) and has nine total shutouts this season (No. 5 in the NCAA). Senior Montana Fouts is a huge part of that with her 0.77 ERA and 92 strikeouts. She is 10-0 on the season. Offensively, Bama has a .326 batting average led by freshman Dallis Goodnight’s .481 average and senior Ally Shipman’s .434 average. Goodnight has a team-high 26 hits, while Shipman has a team-high 26 RBIs this season. ON DECK LSU will have a quick turnaround with a midweek game against Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday, March 15 at Tiger Park beginning at 6 p.m.  Photo By: Jonathan Mailhes Da Boot Sports 3/6/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera BATON ROUGE, La. – The No. 21/22 LSU softball team (17-6) run-ruled Louisiana Tech (15-8), 8-0 in six innings and shutout Central Connecticut State (0-14), 5-0 at Tiger Park to conclude the LSU Invitational. The Tigers have won 12 of their last 13 games overall, with five of the last eight resulting in shutouts. LSU collected 21 hits to its opponents six and had three home runs on the day from Baylea Brandon, Morgan Cummins, and Ali Newland. In the circle, freshman Raelin Chaffin and junior Shelby Wickersham each tossed complete game shutouts and combined for 18 strikeouts and gave up just six hits in 13.0 innings pitched. The duo held the opposing batters to a .140 average. Offensively, sophomores Taylor Pleasants, Ciara Briggs, and Danieca Coffey each collected three hits on the day with Pleasants accounting for three RBI. Game One For the second consecutive game, LSU scored in the first inning. Briggs singled to left field, and Pleasants brought her home with a single to right. Senior Shelbi Sunseri got in on the action with a two-out RBI single to score Pleasants, capping the inning with the Tigers leading LA Tech, 2-0. Cummins led off the second inning with a double and crossed home plate courtesy of a fielding error by the right fielder after freshman Sydney Peterson’s hit. Junior Georgia Clark added an RBI single that scored Peterson, doubling the Tigers’ lead, 4-0 through two innings. Cummins led off again in the fourth inning, but this time went yard for her first home run of the season and 10th in her career. Peterson was hit by a pitch, Coffey singled, and Briggs drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. Pleasants flied out to centerfield but earned the sacrifice fly as Peterson scored for the second time, making the score 6-0. The Tigers wrapped up the run-rule game with two more runs in the sixth inning. After Coffey and Briggs hit their second singles of the game, Pleasants came to the plate and roped one to right center to score Coffey, and Clark’s fielder’s choice, SAC bunt scored Briggs to end the game. Wickersham struck out six batters and gave up three hits and seven walks in the complete game shutout. It was Wickersham’s 14th career complete game and her eighth career solo shutout. Game Two Offensively, every spot in the lineup had a hit in the game against Central Connecticut State, but it was Chaffin who stole the show. Chaffin had an impressive performance in the circle as she registered her first complete game shutout, striking out a season-high 12 batters and giving up just three hits and two walks. Chaffin’s 12 strikeout is a season-best among all pitchers on the staff this season. Freshman Bailey Brandon hit an opposite field home run for two RBI to start the scoring in the second inning and Coffey’s RBI single made the score 3-0 heading into the third stanza. In the next inning, Pleasants singled, stole second base, and advanced to third on a long flyout from Brandon before crossing home plate on a wild pitch to make the score 4-0 after three innings. Newland hit the second home run of the game for the Tigers with a solo shot to right field to add an insurance in the fifth. Chaffin closed the door by allowing only one base runner in the final two innings. Head Coach Beth Torina On the team’s recent performances... “We did not play well the first weekend, and the second weekend, we played a ‘who’s who’ list of opponents. We are building and getting better every weekend and I am happy with the spot we are in right now.” On Raelin Chaffin’s performance... “I thought Raelin did a great job. She did everything we needed her to do. She obviously had her best start of the year, and one of the best starts we have had from a pitcher all year, honestly.” On the second half of the lineup... “When it comes to the lineup, a lot of it is due to matchups and due to what our hitters hit well. We have a deep team, and we can match some things up. I think you are seeing some people in and out because, maybe a certain hitter is better against left-handers or right-handers.” Pitcher Raelin Chaffin On her 12-strikeout performance… “I could always be better, but today I had a great defense behind me who made amazing plays and a great coach calling pitches.” On difference between her first start and today’s start… “The first start I pitched, I ended up getting pulled and we lost, whereas this time I finished the entire game and had 12 strikeouts, so I would say this was an improvement. It could only go up from here.” Utility Ali Newland On her home run this game… “I think that I just had to stay in it. My first few at-bats were not what I wanted, but my teammates kept encouraging me the whole time. I got up there and told myself to be on time, and I just kind of went with it from there.” On her dive and catch in the outfield that saved two runs… “That was so cool. I think watching my teammates get so hype for me is the best part of this whole thing. That is the coolest part of the whole experience. When I popped up and threw to second, I told Taylor Pleasants that it was all on her. As soon as I popped up, she was screaming, ‘2, 2, 2!’ It is great to know she has my back.” ON DECK Next weekend is opening week for the SEC and the LSU Tigers will open the schedule hosting No. 2 Alabama March 11-13. Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/5/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – LSU softball’s 2:30 p.m. game on Sunday, March 6 against Central Connecticut State that was originally scheduled to be broadcast on SECN+ has been upgraded to the SEC Network. Sunday’s noon game against Louisiana Tech will also be played on SEC Network as originally scheduled, bringing the Tigers national televised count to 18 in the 2022 season.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/5/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera BATON ROUGE, La. – The No. 21/22 LSU softball team (15-6) used a four-run first inning to complete the regular season sweep over No. 21 UL-Lafayette (12-4), 5-2 Saturday at Tiger Park. With the win, LSU belts its third top 25 victory this season, and improves to 22-12 all-time against ULL. The Tigers have won seven of the last eight meetings against the Ragin' Cajuns and won 10 of their last 11 games overall. Danieca Coffey and Ciara Briggs each logged two hits in the win and Raeleen Gutierrez recorded her sixth career multiple RBI game and first in the 2022 season. Both Georgia Clark and Taylor Pleasants turned in timely hits that scored runners and drew two walks. Ali Kilponen (8-2) was credited the win and Shelbi Sunseri earned the save. Kilponen struckout four batters and gave up five hits and four walks in 6.0 innings of work. Sunseri closed out the seventh inning in the circle after delivering the dagger RBI single in the fifth frame. After sitting the Ragin’ Cajuns down in order in the top of the first inning, the Tigers hit four consecutive singles highlighted by Pleasants’ RBI single to right center to score Coffey, and Clark’s RBI bunt to cross Briggs. Moments later, Gutierrez capped the inning with a two-out two RBI single to right field to bring the score to 4-0. ULL responded with runs in the third and fourth inning, including a solo shot off an 0-2 count to cut into the deficit, 4-2. However, in the bottom of the fifth inning, Briggs logged her second single of the game and both Pleasants and Clark drew walks to set up an RBI single off Sunseri’s bat. The Tigers ended the fifth inning ahead, 5-2 and both Kilponen and Sunseri closed the door in the sixth and seventh frames, respectively. Head Coach Beth Torina On the team’s hitting performance today... “I think our offense looked a lot better off [Meghan] Schorman than we did on Thursday. I was happy to see the adjustment our offense made with her. We were able to score off her and make some noise with her on the mound. I think our staff does a good job of preparing our hitters. They had a good idea of what was coming and what things they were going to throw us.” On Sydney Peterson’s freshman season.. “I think she might be the best defensive player on the team. She is incredible defensively. She changes games with her defense, and she is going to continue to grow as a hitter. She is young and we are seeing good pitching, so I think she is going to just keep getting better and better.” Outfielder Ciara Briggs On what sparked the early 4-0 lead in the 1st inning… “From the jump we knew what we were getting (pitch wise). We had a plan to attack and get the lead as early as possible. We knew what they were going to throw so we adjusted our swings and found what we wanted at the plate. Throughout the game they (UL-Lafayette) forced us to adjust, and we did a good job of just sticking with attacking the white parts of the plate.” On what to take away from tonight’s game into tomorrow’s double-header… “Playing UL-Lafayette is always great because of the in-state rivalry. We are going to take the energy and intensity from tonight and bring it into tomorrow. We need to attack whoever we play every day.” Infielder Georgia Clark On bunt resting on first baseline… “Coach gave me a squeeze, so I was thinking, ‘Just get it down.’ She got to third, and we had no outs. I was like, ‘Man, I have to do my job and get my bunt down.’ Thankfully, it rolled my way today.” On ULL pitching style… “I think we got to see her so much in the Regional that coming into this, it made it so much easier just to see somebody we have faced. Hopefully for the SEC, it will be the same way. We will see people we have seen before and get more at-bats off them. We tried to treat it like an SEC series, which it kind of was.” ON DECK LSU will conclude the weekend with a noon game against Louisiana Tech set to air on the SEC Network, followed by a 2:30 p.m. pitch against Central Connecticut State. March 6 at Tiger Park. Both games will be aired on the SEC Network.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/4/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera BATON ROUGE, La. – The No. 21/22 LSU softball team (14-6) fell to Troy (12-3) in game one, 5-4, but scored 10 runs in the sixth inning to take game two 10-2 Friday at Tiger Park. Danieca Coffey went 3-for-4 on the day at the plate and Ciara Briggs was 2-for-5 at the dish. Both Coffey and Briggs logged two hits (a single and a double) and two RBI in a single inning, and both scored three runs overall. The Tigers also had three home runs off the bats of Georgia Clark, Ali Newland, and Shelbi Sunseri. Sunseri tossed 7.2 innings and finished the day with a 0.00 ERA, holding opposing batters to .143 batting average. Ali Kilponen also made an appearance in the circle for 5.1 innings. Both Sunseri and Kilponen logged six strikeouts. Game One The Trojans hit to a two-run shot to left field in the first inning and another home run in the fourth to build a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Coffey and Briggs drew walks and Taylor Pleasants moved both runners into scoring position on her ground out to second. After Sunseri popped up to the shortstop, Clark drilled one over the left field wall to tie the game at three through five frames. Troy responded with a pair of runs in the sixth to force a pitching change. Sunseri entered the circle with one out on the board and retired the first two batters she faced that included one strikeout to end the half inning. In the bottom half, Newland cut the Trojan lead in half with a leadoff home run and Troy went into the seventh inning with a 5-4 advantage. Although LSU held the Trojans scoreless and threatened in the bottom of the inning, they could not cross another run, resulting in the 5-4 loss. Kilponen (7-2) had six strikeouts, six hits and walked four batters in 5.1 innings, and Sunseri struck out one in 1.2 innings. Game Two Troy drove in two runs in the third inning behind an RBI double and RBI single. After that inning, Sunseri (5-1) allowed just three base runners and retired the final six batters she faced. The fifth-year senior finished the game with five strikeouts, and no earned runs in the complete game win. Morgan Smith led off the sixth inning with a standup double off the first pitch she saw, and advance to third base on a wild pitch. Smith was brought home from Coffey’s single through to right side to put the Tigers on the board, and Coffey’s run tied the game thanks to Briggs’ RBI triple to left center. Pleasants hit a ground ball that got pass the second baseman to plate Briggs putting LSU on top, and Sunseri added some insurance runs with a three-run home run to right field, all with no outs. The Tigers proceeded to bat a round and then some as they scored four more runs to cap off the 10-run inning to end the game. Head Coach Beth Torina On the slow start to both games and how the team adjusted... “Coach Howard [Dobson] made an adjustment with them in the sixth inning of game two. He just put them in a different spot. Thank God for Morgan Smith who understood what Coach was asking her to do. I think everyone felt a lot more confident after that hit.” On Ali Kilponen’s pitching in the first game “I thought she was fine. She had a few runs that were unearned. I think she did okay. We cannot ask her to be perfect every single day, but she did enough to win.” Pitcher/Utility Shelbi Sunseri On the team’s hitting performance... “The first game, I do not think we adjusted. It was a tough loss. We should never have been in that position in the first place. We have to do a better job, and in the second game, we knew we had to make an adjustment. [Coach Howard] Dobson moved us up in the box in the last inning to try and catch the drop ball before it breaks, so that was our philosophy, and it worked. As a team, we bought into it. We had nothing to lose. She was throwing a no-hitter, so why not try it?” On the difference in game two from beginning to end... “My first at-bat, I knew I was early, so I scooted up in the box, and Dobson scooted us up even more. I knew I was getting a curveball outside, so I told myself to get behind it and make something happen with it. We were on a roll, so I was just trying to pass the bat and keep it going.” ON DECK The Tigers take on No. 21 UL-Lafayette for the second time this weekend at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 5 at Tiger Park. |
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