Logos by NCAA and sportslogos.net
Louisiana and LSU met on the second day of the Baton Rouge Regional with both teams looking to advance to Championship Sunday without a loss. McKenize Redoutey laced a homer to center, Ali Newland scored a two-run double, and the Tigers got great pitching from Syndey Berzon as LSU handled the Ragin Cajuns 4-0.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After a solid first inning from both pitchers, Karly Heath started the second with a four-pitch walk before stealing second and tagging to third on a sacrifice from Alexa Langeliers with just one out. Maddie Hayden then reached on a fielder’s choice as Heath was tagged out at the plate.
In the bottom of the second, LSU got on the board with a solo homer from McKenzie Redoutey to make it 1-0 in favor of the Tigers.
Next inning, Danieca Coffey got a base hit and stole second before Ciara Briggs delivered an RBI blooper that scored Coffey and made it 2-0 LSU. Then, Taylor Pleasants got a base hit and advanced to second on the throw to put runners on second and third with just one out. Ali Newland cleared the bases with a two-run double to make it 4-0 Tigers.
In the fifth, Coffey started the inning off with a single before advancing on a sacrifice bunt from Briggs.
Louisiana got some momentum in the sixth with back-to-back hits from Kotzelnick and Piskos to put two runners on for Lauren Allred. The freshman hits a knock to the wall, but a baserunning error kept the run from scoring while giving LSU the second out of the inning. Karly Heath struck out to end the inning, stranding a pair of keeping the Cajuns off the board.
LSU retired the Cajuns in order to end the game and shut out Louisiana for the first time this season 4-0.
BIG NUMBER: 2-10
Louisiana was 2-10 with runners on base, which really helped LSU hold onto the big lead and advance to the championship round.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Ali Newland
Newland was a difference maker for the Tigers, delivering a two-run single in the bottom of the third to give LSU the 4-0 lead.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will return to Tiger Park this evening to take on the winner of Omaha-Prairie View A&M. LSU will head to Championship Sunday to await the winner of the night game.