 Graphic By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/31/2023 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera BATON ROUGE, La. - No. 12/14 LSU (29-6) used an eight-run inning in each game to sweep day two of the Purple and Gold Challenge at Tiger Park on Friday. LSU shutout NC State (12-22),12-0 and defeated BYU (16-9), 10-2 , both in five innings. “It was good, I liked what the offense did today,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “The offense did a good job continuing to apply pressure throughout the game. We scored in big numbers, so you always like to see that. Overall, it was a good day for the offense.” As a team, LSU registered 10 hits to log its 13th game with double digit hits this season in the early game against NC State and the two run-rule games brings the Tigers’ total to 10 on the year. Overall on the day, the Tigers had a .429 batting average and scored 22 runs on 18 hits. In the circle LSU finished with a 1.40 ERA in 10.0 innings pitched highlighted by one shutout. Freshman pitcher Alea Johnson earned her second shutout of the season and improved to 6-0 in the 12-0 win over NC State. Sophomore pitcher Ralin Chaffin moved to 4-1 this season and matched her season-high four strikeouts in the nightcap against BYU. Junior outfielder Ciara Briggs had a team-high four hits on the day and tacked on four RBIs after hitting her second grand slam this season. Junior infielder Raeleen Gutierrez recorded a team-high five RBIs and matched graduate infielder Karli Petty with three hits. Petty also finished with two RBIs. Graduate designated player Georgia Clark went 2-for-3 at the plate and had four ribbies, and sophomore outfielder McKenzie Redoutey tallied three RBIs on two hits. Both Clark and Redoutey led the day with a .667 batting average. Game One Freshman pitcher Alea Johnson (6-0) stayed perfect in the circle and threw her second shutout of the season in game one. In 4.0 innings, Johnson struck out four batters and allowed no runs on three hits and one walk. Four Tigers finished with two hits, including Clark, Petty, Briggs and Gutierrez. Clark matched a season high four RBIs while going 2-for-2 at the plate, and Gutierrez and Redoutey each had two RBIs in the win. NC State’s pitcher Rylee Wyman (1-7) was charged with the loss and allowed four runs on four hits and one walk in her one inning of play. The Wolfpack hit the bullpen early with three other pitchers on the mound who surrendered the remaining eight runs and six hits. The Tigers came out the gates scoring four runs on four hits in the opening inning. Junior infielder Danieca Coffey walked and Briggs singled before a fielder’s choice left LSU with runners on the corners. Clark lined a two-run single to right center and a couple batters later, Gutierrez drove a double to right field that scored Clark. The Tigers capped the first inning with an RBI groundout from junior infielder Taylor Pleasants to take an early 4-0 lead. LSU blew the game open with eight runs in the bottom of the fourth. The inning was highlighted by two-run singles from Clark and Redoutey. Gutierrez and Petty tacked on one-run singles, and freshmen catcher Maci Bergeron and outfielder Maia Townsend each added an RBI. An error by the Wolfpack crossed another run for the Tigers to give the home team a 12-0 lead heading to the fifth inning. Freshman utility pitcher Emma Strood finished off the game in the fifth inning. After letting the lead off runner on with a single, Strood and the Tigers’ defense retired the next three batters to seal the run-rule game. Game Two Chaffin (4-1) collected her fourth win of the season in the nightcap. She matched a season-high four strikeouts and allowed two runs, six hits and two walks in 5.0 innings of work. Briggs highlighted the offense by going 2-for-3 from the plate with four RBIs, all of which came off a second innings grand slam. Gutierrez had her second game of the day with multiple RBIs, tacking on three more ribbies while Petty went 1-for-2 with two RBIs to round out the Tigers with multiple RBIs. BYU’s pitcher Chloe Temples picked up the loss after throwing two strikeouts while allowing eight runs on six hits and two walks in 1.1 innings pitched. Gutierrez led off the second by reaching on an error, Pleasants singled and Redoutey hit an RBI single and advanced to second on a throw. Coffey was walked to load the bases and Briggs busted the inning open with her second grand slam of the season. A few batters later, Petty stepped in the box and launched a two-run triple to right field and the Tigers concluded the eight-run inning with a sac fly by Gutierrez. BYU scored two runners in the third behind a one-run single and one-run double, but LSU answered in the fourth inning with a two-run double from Gutierrez to increase the home team’s margin, 10-2. Chaffin came out in the top of the fifth and retired three of the last four batters, including a strikeout to secure the second run-rule of the day. On Deck The Tigers will battle with Louisiana Tech at 4 p.m. on Saturday
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 Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/30/2023 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera BATON ROUGE, La. - Freshman pitcher Sydney Berzon earned her 10th win of the season as No. 12/14 LSU (27-6) rallied back to take down BYU (15-8), 3-2 Thursday night at Tiger Park. “Our team showed they can battle back and be resilient,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “I think we were trying to play carefully and perfectly, and that’s a great way to lose ball games. Of all the things they do well, their fight is number one.” Berzon (10-2) - the reigning SEC Freshman of the Week, picked up where she left off by striking out nine batters and allowing two runs on four hits and one walk. Junior designated player Georgia Clark blasted her sixth home run of the season to tie the game late in the fifth frame, and graduate outfielder Savannah Stewart also logged a hit and drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning. Junior infielder Taylor Pleasants tacked on an RBI and set a new career-high with two sac hits, while juniors Danieca Coffey, Raeleen Gutierrez and graduate infielder Karli Petty each had a hit in the game. BYU’s freshman utility pitcher Ailana Agbayani (2-2) was charged with the loss while throwing zero strikeouts and allowing zero runs, two hits and one walks. Petty drew a walk to start the second inning before Gutierrez knocked a single to left field that advanced Petty to third. Pleasants stepped to the plate and recorded a sac bunt to score Petty for the first run of the night. BYU scored a pair of runs in the top of the fifth after capitalizing on a couple of LSU errors to take a 2-1 lead into the stretch, but LSU responded with a two-out solo shot by Clark to knot up the score, 2-2. In the sixth inning, LSU regained the lead thanks to a two-out RBI single from Stewart that increased the lead, 3-2. Berzon retired the final four batters of the game, including two strikeouts in the seventh to secure the 3-2 victory. On Deck The Tigers will play a doubleheader Friday against N.C. State at 4:30 p.m. and BYU at 7 p.m.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/26/2023 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera OXFORD, Miss. - No. 12/15 LSU (26-6, 4-5 SEC) takes the series against Ole Miss (19-14, 1-5 SEC) two games to one after winning game three, 3-1 Sunday afternoon at the Ole Miss Softball Complex. “I thought it was a good team win,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “We were firing on all cylinders. We had some really good offensive performances and a great performance on the mound. Our defense was stellar today as well.” Freshman pitcher Sydney Berzon (9-2) earned her second complete game win in as many games Sunday afternoon. She recorded three strikeouts and allowed one run on five hits and one walk. Junior infielder Raeleen Gutierrez had a day at the dish going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Junior infielder Danieca Coffey and junior outfielder Ali Newland also contributed two-hit performances and each scored one run. Graduate designated player Georgia Clark registered one hit and one RBI in the victory. Ole Miss sophomore pitcher Catelyn Riley (2-2) picked up the loss after throwing six strikeouts while allowing three runs on nine hits and three walks in 7.0 innings. The Tigers put runners on the corners to start the second stanza thanks to a double and single from Newland and graduate infielder Karli Petty, respectively. Gutierrez came to the plate and knocked an RBI single to center field to plate the first run of the game, but the Rebels answered with a run of their own to tie the score 1-1 through two innings. The Tigers juiced the bases in the third inning to set up Gutierrez’s second one-run single of the game to recapture the lead for the visiting club, 2-1. Berzon kept the Ole Miss bats at bay, retiring 13 of 16 batters from the second inning through the sixth. LSU crossed an insurance run in the seventh on a fielder’s choice sac bunt from Clark to increase its lead, 3-1. With runners on the corners, the Tigers added an insurance run in the seventh on a fielder’s choice from graduate designated player Georgia Clark to increase the lead, 3-1. The Rebels would put a runner on in the seventh, but the Tigers turned a double play and a flyout to center field secured the 3-1 victory and series win for LSU. On Deck LSU returns to Tiger Park March 30-April 2 for the Purple & Gold Challenge where they will host BYU, Louisiana Tech and NC State during its bye week in SEC play.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/24/2023 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera OXFORD, Miss. – No. 12/15 LSU (24-6, 2-5 SEC) came up short against Ole Miss (19-12, 1-3 SEC), 5-1 Friday afternoon at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.Graduate pitcher Ali Kilponen (8-3) finished the day with three strikeouts in the loss. With her first strikeout of the day, Kilponen entered the top 10 in the program’s record book for most career strikeouts and currently ranks No. 9 all-time with 436 career punchouts. Junior infielder Raeleen Gutierrez led the offense going 2-for-3 at the plate, graduate infielder Karli Petty posted a double, and junior outfielder Ali Newland tacked on an RBI for the Tigers. Ole Miss’ sophomore pitcher Catelyn Riley improved to 2-1 on the season, throwing two strikeouts, and allowed one run on five hits with three walks in 4.2 innings pitched. Ole Miss scored three runs in the bottom of the third highlighted by a two-run double by freshman outfielder Jalia Lassiter. After reaching on a fielder’s choice in the top of the fifth, junior infielder Danieca Coffey made her way around the bases and scored on a groundout, giving the Tigers their first run of the game. The Rebels responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame however, to increase their lead, 5-1. The Tigers left two Rebels stranded in the bottom of the sixth inning, and put a couple of runners on with back-to-back one-out singles from Coffey and junior outfielder Ciara Briggs in the seventh. The rally attempt came to a close after Newland reached on a fielder’s choice where Briggs was thrown out at second, and a lineout to third base ended the game. On Deck LSU will play game two of the series against Ole Miss Saturday at 6 p.m.  Da Boot Sports 3/21/2023 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonta Herrera BATON ROUGE, La. – For the 12th time this season, No. 12/15 LSU eclipsed double-digit hits as they halted McNeese’s five-game winning streak with a 6-2 decision Tuesday night at Tiger Park. “It felt better, it definitely felt better,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “It feels good to get back out there and just hit the ball hard and get their confidence back.” LSU (24-5) recorded 12 hits in the game with eight of the nine players in the lineup registering at least one hit while the McNeese (19-10) pitching staff recorded only one strikeout on the night. Junior infielder Danieca Coffey logged a 3-for-4 performance at the plate and hit her second triple in as many games to go along with a team-high two runs scored. Sophomore outfielder McKenzie Redoutey and freshman catcher Maci Bergeron both were 2-for-3 in the batter’s box. Bergeron had one RBI on the night and junior outfielder Ciara Briggs led the team with two RBIs. Sophomore pitcher Raelin Chaffin (3-1) earned the win Tuesday night while tossing two strikeouts and allowing two runs, five hits and no walks in her first complete game of the season. McNeese State junior pitcher Whitney Tate (9-2) was charged with the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits and no walks in 3.1 innings. Coffey led off the game with a single back to the pitcher and would advance to second on a stolen base. Junior outfielder Ali Newland came to the dish and drove an RBI-single over the shortstop’s head to plate Coffey and get the home team on the board. After a single from graduate designated player Georgia Clark, graduate infielder Karli Petty drove in another run with an RBI-single of her own, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead after the opening inning. McNeese responded with their first run of the game on an RBI-single from senior outfielder Alayis Seneca in the third inning, and senior catcher Kaylee Lopez hit a solo shot in the fourth to tie the game, 2-2. The tie did not last long however as LSU put up four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Redoutey hit a one-out double to left field before Bergeron brought her home on an RBI-single down the left field line. Freshman infielder McKaela Walker and Coffey both singled to load the bases, setting up a two RBI-double by Briggs. The Cowgirls walked home another run to cap off a four-run inning for the Tigers to make the score, 6-2. The offenses stalled as both teams went scoreless through the final three innings. Chaffin retired seven of the last nine batters of the game, securing the 6-2 victory for the Tigers. On Deck LSU will travel to Oxford, Miss. to take on Ole Miss in a three-game series on March 24-26.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/18/2023 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonta Herrera BATON ROUGE, La. - No. 10/12 LSU (23-4, 2-3 SEC) was downed by No. 4/5 Tennessee (23-1, 5-0 SEC) 3-0 in game two of the series Saturday night at Tiger Park. “I thought the way we responded was better,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “While the game on the scoreboard might look the same as yesterday, today felt very different. I thought the team fought harder and we set up an opportunity for something big tomorrow.” Freshman pitcher Sydney Berzon (7-2) was charged with the loss Saturday night. She finished with four strikeouts and a pair of walks, while surrendering three runs on seven hits. Berzon settled in after the opening inning by retiring eight consecutive batters through two and two-thirds innings, and scattered just four hits in the remainder of the game. Tennessee freshman pitcher Karlyn Pickens (5-1) collected the win throwing nine strikeouts and allowing no runs on one hit and two walks. The Tigers were held to one hit on the night, a single by junior outfielder Ciara Briggs in the fourth frame. The Lady Vols got on the board first with a two-run home run by junior infielder Zaida Puni in the first inning. A couple batters later junior outfielder Rylie West drove an RBI-double to right field to get out to a 3-0 lead. Both teams would remain scoreless for the remainder of the ballgame, giving Tennessee the 3-0 victory. On Deck The series between LSU and Tennessee will conclude at 1 p.m. Sunday  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/17/2023 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera BATON ROUGE, La. - No. 10/12 LSU (23-3) fell to No. 4/5 Tennessee (22-1) 5-0 Friday night at Tiger Park to open the three-game series. “I didn’t like our approach,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “I think we need to fight harder not just at the plate, but all over the field. That was one of the worst efforts of the year as far as our mentality goes, so I think tomorrow we will do better.” Graduate pitcher Ali Kilponen (8-1) threw her eighth complete game of the season. Kilponen struck out seven batters and gave up six hits, four earned runs and seven walks in the loss. The Tigers’ offense was held to two hits on the night. Junior outfielder Ali Newland recorded one hit, and graduate infielder Karli Petty tallied the second hit and lone extra-base hit for the home team. Tennessee’s pitcher Ashley Rogers (8-0) fanned nine batters and handed out three walks to go along with the two hits in the complete game effort. Kilponen started the night by retiring six of the game’s first seven batters that included four strikeouts. After two scoreless innings however, UT’s sophomore outfielder Katie Taylor hit a two-run homer to start the scoring and ended the inning with a 4-0 lead. The Tigers threatened in the fifth inning with Petty’s leadoff double, but two runners were left on base to end the frame. The Lady Vols went on to add another run in the top of the seventh and the Tigers went out in order in the final half inning to fall, 5-0. On Deck LSU will play game two of the series against Tennessee at 5 p.m. Saturday.  Da Boot Sports 3/14/2023 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera HAMMOND, La. - Freshman pitcher Alea Johnson matched a season-high six strikeouts as she helped propel No. 10/12 LSU (23-2) to an 11-1 victory over Southeastern Louisiana (20-6) Wednesday night at North Oak Park. “I think tonight was a battle,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “Our team continued to put the pressure on throughout the whole game. They scored runs in four of the six innings which allowed us to have control of the game all night.” Johnson improves to 5-0 on the season with a complete game Wednesday night. In addition to her six strikeouts, Johnson allowed three hits, one run, and nine walks in 6.0 innings. Junior infielder Danieca Coffey led the offensive explosion going 3-for-4 from the dish with two runs scored. The performance marked the fifth time this season Coffey logged three hits in a game. Sophomore outfielder McKenzie Redoutey tacked on two hits and two RBIs, including a double in the sixth stanza. Graduate infielder Karli Petty added two hits of her own, going 2-for-4 from the plate with two runs scored on the night. Southeastern pitcher Cera Blanchard (9-3) was charged with the loss. She threw one strikeout and allowed four runs on three hits and six walks through 1.2 innings of work. LSU loaded the bases following a couple singles and a walk in the second stanza. The Lady Lions walked in three runs for the Tigers and allowed another on a fielding error, giving LSU the early 4-0 lead. Southeastern cut into LSU’s lead with a solo-shot in the bottom of second, but the Tigers struck back with a run of their own off another fielding error in the top of the fourth to make the score 5-1. The Tigers put two runners on in the fifth thanks to a single from Coffey and a walk by junior outfielder Ciara Briggs. With two on and two out, junior shortstop Taylor Pleasants drove a single to left field which scored both runners and Pleasants reached third on a fielding error increasing the margin, 7-1. The Bayou Bengals expanded their lead in the top of the sixth. A couple singles from junior outfielder Ali Newland and Petty set up a two-RBI double from Redoutey. With Redoutey on second, Coffey laid down a bunt and touched all four bases due to multiple throwing errors by the Lady Lions, giving LSU an 11-1 lead. After Southeastern’s first two batters reached in the bottom of the sixth inning, LSU turned a double play and Johnson struck out the next batter to preserve the run-rule victory. On Deck LSU will play its first home SEC series of the year March 17-19 against No. 4/5 Tennessee.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/13/2023 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera COLUMBIA, S.C. – After dropping the first game of the day 4-2, No. 14 LSU responded with a 5-1 win over South Carolina in the nightcap to win its SEC opening series 2-1 Monday night at Carolina Softball Stadium. “We have a goal of trying to win all the conference series,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “This is a step in the right direction. Obviously, we let game two get away from us in some sports, but they had a pitcher who threw a good game against us so they definitely get the credit for that.” LSU is now 22-2 overall with a 2-1 SEC record, and South Carolina moves to 22-4 and 1-2 in league play. Ali Kilponen lit up the circle in the nightcap, tossing nine strikeouts and allowing only one run on four hits in 7.0 innings of work. “Ali did a great job of giving us a chance,” Torina said. “I thought she really controlled their offense and was able to keep them off balance. She did a really good job of setting the tone for our entire team.” Graduate infielder Georgia Clark and junior outfielder Ali Newland both led the team with three hits and had one RBI while junior first baseman Realeen Gutierrez had a team-high three RBIs on the day. Game One Freshman pitcher Sydney Berzon (7-1) was charged with her first loss of the season, finishing with three strikeouts, zero walks, five hits and four runs in 4.0 innings. Sophomore pitcher Raelin Chaffin entered the circle in the fifth inning and allowed two hits and no runs through 2.0 innings of work. South Carolina’s senior pitcher Donnie Gobourne improved to 5-0 after recording 10 strikeouts and allowed one run and four hits in 5.0 innings. Junior outfielder Ciara Briggs led the Tigers in hits going 2-for-4 from the dish. Newland and graduate infielder Karli Petty tacked on a one-hit and one RBI in the game. Clark led off the second inning with her fourth double of the season and Petty brought her home with an RBI single down the first base line to give LSU a 1-0 lead. The Gamecocks fought back in the fourth frame, putting up four runs to take a 4-1 advantage. LSU cut its deficit to two runs in the sixth inning thanks to an RBI double from Newland, but the visiting club could not complete the rally as they fell, 4-2. Game Two Kilponen collected the win in the nightcap, pitching a complete game which included nine strikeouts and allowed one run on four hits and three walks, retiring 24 of the 27 batters she faced. Kilponen went 2-0 with a pair of complete games this weekend. Sophomore outfielder McKenzie Redoutey and Clark led the way offensively for LSU, both going 2-for-3 from the dish with an RBI while Gutierrez tacked on a team-high three ribbies. Newland added on two hits of her own to round out the Tigers with multiple hits. South Carolina pitcher Karsyen Ochs (5-2) was credited the loss, tossing one strikeout with three hits and one run allowed in 1.0 innings. For the third straight game, LSU got on the board first in the second inning. Newland led off with a single and advanced to third on a single from freshman catcher Maci Bergeron. Redoutey drove an RBI single through the right side to score Newland that gave the Tigers a 1-0 advantage. The Gamecocks evened the score in the bottom of the second, but the Tigers answered with another run in the third. Junior shortstop Taylor Pleasants got the inning going with a standup double with one out and Clark singled to advance her to third. Pleasants then touched home plate on a Gutierrez groundout to regain the lead, 2-1. After four scoreless frames which included Kilponen retiring seven consecutive batters, the Tigers put up runs in the seventh stanza. Redoutey led off the inning with her second triple of the season. Two walks later, Clark drove in a run on a sac fly and Gutierrez followed with a two-RBI single to push the lead, 5-1. Kilponen secured the 5-1 victory by retiring 10 of the last 11 batters to finish the game. On Deck LSU will conclude its 10-game road trip with a 6 p.m. CT game at Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday, March 15.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/11/2023 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera COLUMBIA, S.C. – LSU Head Coach Beth Torina earned her 600th career win in the 9-1 victory Saturday night against South Carolina at Carolina Softball Stadium. Coach Torina moves to 600-315 in her head coaching career over 16 seasons, including a 471-204 mark as the head coach of the Tigers for 12 seasons. “It is pretty cool to think about all of the women who have played in those games and how much they have given of themselves and their heart at both universities I have been at, but especially here at LSU. It has been a fun journey,” said coach Torina. LSU (21-1) tallied 16 hits in the victory, marking their ninth game of the season with double-digit hits and the third consecutive game with 14 or more hits. The Tigers’ 16 hits matched a season-high which was set in the first game of the season against New Mexico. Six Tigers had multiple base knocks in the victory, including junior infielder Raeleen Gutierrez and outfielder Ali Newland who both had a team-best three hits. “We wanted to come out and start fast and I think the offense did exactly that,” Torina said. “We got some in some good counts and were able to capitalize on some things. We did a great job of putting ourselves in great spots from the very beginning.” Gutierrez led the offensive effort for LSU going 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and an RBI. Newland was also 3-for-4 on the night and led the team with three runs scored. Junior infielders Danieca Coffey and Taylor Pleasants both finished with two hits and two RBIs, and graduate infielder Karli Petty and freshman catcher Maci Bergeron both were 2-for-4 in the batter’s box. Graduate pitcher Ali Kilponen remains undefeated in the circle as she collected her seventh win of the season in the series opener. Kilponen punched out seven batters and allowed one run on three hits and one walk in 7.0 innings of work. South Carolina (21-3) pitcher Rachel Vaughan (2-1) was given the loss after throwing one strikeout and allowed four runs on five hits in 1.0 innings. Gutierrez and Petty led off the second inning with back-to-back singles to set up sophomore outfielder McKenzie Redoutey’s three-run dinger over the center field wall. The Tigers went on to score three more runs and finished the inning with six runs on seven hits to gain a 6-0 lead. The offense picked up where they left off in the third inning by scoring two more runs. After a groundout to open the inning, LSU hit four consecutive singles highlighted by Coffey’s RBI single. A couple batters later with the bases loaded, Pleasants scored Newland on a sac fly to increase the lead, 8-0. The Gamecocks extended the game by plating a run in the bottom of the fourth, but they were unable to do anymore damage. The Bayou Bengals got back on the board in the seventh stanza thanks to an RBI double by Coffey to push the lead to 9-1. Kilponen retired the final six batters of the game to secure the 9-1 series opening victory. On Deck LSU and South Carolina will have a doubleheader on Monday, March 13. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT and game two has a tentative start time for 6 p.m. CT. Both games will be aired on SEC Network.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/5/2023 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera FULLERTON, Calif. - No. 15 LSU exploded for 10 runs in the fourth inning to secure a 12-4 run-rule victory over Cal Poly at Anderson Family Field to conclude the Judi Garman Classic. LSU improved to 20-1 on the season after winning all five of its contests on the West Coast. Cal Poly falls to 7-7 this season with the loss. The Tigers totaled 14 hits and logged a season-high three home runs, including two in the same inning. Second baseman Karli Petty hit a grand slam for her first home run of the season to match a career-high four RBIs in a single game. Outfielders Ali Newland and McKenzie Redoutey both added two-run shots in the win. First baseman Raeleen Gutierrez was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate and scored two runs. Third baseman Danieca Coffey had her third multi-hit game of the tournament as she went 3-for-4 with one run. Designated player Georgia Clark rounded out the multi-hit Tigers in the game with two hits in three at bats with two RBIs and one run scored. Graduate pitcher Ali Kilponen earned the win to move to 6-0 in the circle after punching out two batters and allowed two hits, no walks and no runs in 1.2 innings. Pitcher Emilee Casanova started the game on the rubber and finished with four strikeouts with four hits, three walks, and four runs through 3.1 innings. Cal Poly struck first in the top of the second inning with two runs, but LSU quickly answered with two runs of its own. Gutierrez led off the frame with a double before Redoutey hit her second home run of the weekend to tie the game 2-2. After Cal Poly scored two runs in the fourth to re-establish a two-run lead, LSU erupted for 10 runs to take a 12-4 advantage. Petty drew a walk to begin the bottom of the fourth and Newland got the scoring started by going yard with a two-run bomb. A single and a walk later, shortstop Taylor Pleasants lined an RBI double to right field. Clark came to bat next and drove a two-RBI double down the left field line. LSU batted a round and with the bases juiced, Petty knocked her first homer as an LSU Tiger to increase the margin, 11-4. Center fielder Ciara Briggs wrapped up the 10-run inning with an RBI-single to give LSU a 12-4 lead. On Deck LSU will open SEC play at South Carolina for a three-game series March 11-13 in Columbia, S.C.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/4/2023 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera FULLERTON, Calif. – No. 15 LSU swept its second day at the Judi Garman Classic by shutting out Minnesota, 3-0 and defeated San Jose State, 12-6 Saturday at Anderson Family Field. The Tigers are now 19-1 on the season while Minnesota and San Jose State drop to 9-7 and 6-10, respectively. Freshman pitcher Sydney Berzon opened the day with a three-hit shutout win over Minnesota while freshman pitcher Alea Johnson earned her fourth win of the season against San Jose State. Third baseman Danieca Coffey led the Tigers with five hits, five RBIs and scored two runs. Left fielder Ali Newland followed with four hits on the day and had three ribbies with two runs scored. Center fielder Ciara Briggs, first baseman Raeleen Gutierrez and right fielder McKenzie Redoutey each had three hits. Game One Berzon (7-0) tossed a three-hit complete game shutout in a 3-0 victory over Minnesota. Berzon tied her career-high with eight strikeouts and retired eight consecutive batters from the fourth to the sixth inning highlighted by six strikeouts. The Tigers now have eight shutouts on the year including two this weekend. Coffey had her third game this season with three hits, going 3-for-4 from the dish with one RBI, and Redoutey knocked her third home run of the season in the sixth inning. Minnesota pitcher Jacie Hambrick (4-2) was charged with the loss. She tallied four strikeouts with seven hits, three runs, and two walks allowed through 6.0 innings. The Tigers wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Coffey’s RBI-single brought Gutierrez home to give LSU an early 1-0 advantage in the second inning. After two more scoreless innings, Briggs kicked off the fifth frame with her second double of the weekend. A couple batters later, designated player Georgia Clark reached on an error which brought home Briggs for the Tigers’ second run of the game. Berzon continued her dominance in the circle by striking out the side in bottom of the fifth frame, giving her six strikeouts through five innings of work. Redoutey complimented her effort by hitting a leadoff homer in the top of the sixth stanza, her third time touching all four bases this season. The Gophers put two on base in the bottom of the seventh, but a pop-up double play ended their rally, securing LSU’s a 3-0 win. Game Two LSU collected 14 hits against San Jose State and had five total players finish with two or more hits in the game and three players had multiple RBIs in the contest. Johnson moved to 4-0 this season and had three strikeouts and allowed two runs on three hits and two walks. Coffey had another multi-hit game in the nightcap, going 2-for-4 from the plate, marking her team-high 11th game with multiple hits the season. She also tied a career-high four RBIs. Shortstop Taylor Pleasants had a one hit and two RBIs in the win. Briggs tacked on her second multi-hit game of the weekend as she went 2-for-5 with an RBI. San Jose State pitcher Ashley Goard (0-2) was credited with the loss and threw two strikeouts, three hits, and four runs in 2.0 innings pitched. Coffey led off the game with a single down the first base line which for her fourth hit of the day. Briggs and Clark were both awarded free bases to load the bases for the Tigers. A wild pitch advanced all runners and brought home Coffey for the opening run, giving LSU an early 1-0 lead. San Jose State tied the game with a home run in the bottom of the second, but LSU responded with four runs in the fourth frame highlighted by an RBI double from Briggs and a two-RBI single from Pleasants to give LSU a 5-1 lead. The Fighting Tigers didn’t stop there as a pair of singles and a walk juiced the bases with one out in the top of the fifth. Coffey took advantage by smacking a double to right field that plated two more runs increasing the Bayou Bengals’ lead, 7-1. The runs kept pouring in as two more runners came across for the Tigers in the sixth. Newland recorded an RBI-single and Coffey drew a walk with the bases loaded to push the lead to 9-1. The Spartans added on another run in the sixth but were unable to do anymore damage. LSU tacked on three runs in the seventh thanks to a sacrifice fly from Gutierrez and a two-RBI single from Newland to increase the lead to 12-1. San Jose State made a last-minute push and scored four runners in the bottom of the seventh but came up short as the Tigers won 12-6. On Deck LSU will complete the Judi Garman Classic with a 11 a.m. CT game against Cal Poly Sunday morning.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/3/2023 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera FULLERTON, Calif. – Senior pitcher Ali Kilponen threw her third complete game shutout as No. 15 LSU knocked off Michigan, 2-0 Friday morning to open day one of the Judi Garman Classic at Anderson Family Field. With the win LSU improves to 16-1, while Michigan moves to 9-9 on the season. Kilponen (5-0) logged seven strikeouts, four hits and gave up no walks in 7.0 innings. Infielder Danieca Coffey paced the offense going 2-for-3 at the plate with a solo homer run in the fifth frame that broke the tie. Designated player Georgia Clark added on another home run in the sixth which gave the Tiger their second run of the game. Michigan pitcher Jessica LeBeau (5-4) was charged with the loss. She threw six strikeouts and allowed six hits, one walk, and two runs through 5.0 innings. Kiponen retired 12 of the first 14 batters she faced with five strikeouts to hold Michigan scoreless through four frames. Coffey broke the stalemate in the bottom of the fifth with her second home run of the season and third of her career giving LSU a 1-0 lead. Clark led off the sixth stanza with a solo-homer to increase the Tigers lead, 2-0. Clark’s solo-shot was her fifth dinger of the season and 35th of her career. The Wolverines could not keep up as Kilponen retired the final seven batters of the game to secure the shutout. On Deck LSU will faceoff against Loyola Marymount tonight at 5 p.m. CT to wrap up day one of the Judi Garman Classic at Anderson Family Field.  Photo By: LSUsports.net Da Boot Sports 3/3/2023 LSU Sports Communications By: Keonte Herrera FULLERTON, Calif. – No. 15 LSU used a four-run sixth inning to rally to a 6-5 win over Loyola Marymount Friday evening at Anderson Family Field. With the win, LSU goes 2-0 on its first day at the Judi Garman Classic. LSU is now 17-1 with the two wins Friday and Loyola Marymount falls to 7-11. After trailing for most of the game, the Tigers scored two runs in the fifth and four runs in the bottom of the sixth to capture their first lead of the night thanks to a three RBI-double by center fielder Ciara Briggs. Briggs finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate and registered her 14th career multiple RBI game. Shortstop Taylor Pleasants drove in a pair of ribbies on a two-run shot in the fifth to put the Tigers on the scoreboard. She now has eight homers and 29 RBIs on the season. Freshman pitcher Sydney Berzon improved to 6-0 in the circle, tossing a career-high eight strikeouts while allowing six hits, one walk and one run in 6.1 innings. Senior pitcher Ali Kilponen earned her third save this season after entering in the seventh and retired the final batter of the game. It is Kilponen’s eighth career save which moves her into a tie for third with Rachele Fico (2010-2013) in LSU’s record book for career saves. LMU pitcher Jenna Perez (2-8) was credited with the loss after throwing two strikeouts with five hits, one walk and five earned runs in 2.0 innings pitched. Loyola got on the board with three runs in the first inning and added another run in the top of the fourth to get out to a 4-0 lead. The Tigers got the bats going in the bottom of the fifth frame. Third baseman Danieca Coffey reached on an error and advanced to second on a passed ball before Pleasants cut the Lions lead in half 4-2 with a dinger to left field. First baseman Raeleen Gutierrez kept the rally going in the sixth with a one-out double and catcher Ali Newland followed with a double of her own that scored Gutierrez to make it a one-run game. Left fielder Savannah Stewart singled and Coffey wore a pitch to load the bases with only one out. Briggs came to the dish and knocked a double into the outfield which scored all three runners, giving LSU their first lead of the game, 6-4. Berzon retired eight consecutive batters from the fourth to the seventh inning to allow the offense to battle back. The Lions crossed a runner in the top of the seventh, but it was not enough as Berzon and Kilponen combined to close out the final inning. On Deck LSU will have another doubleheader tomorrow against Minnesota at 2:30 p.m. CT and San Jose at 5 p.m. CT. |
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