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Championship Sunday is upon us as Louisiana and LSU met in the first game of the day with the Cajuns needing a win to force the final game. Sam Landry dazzled in relief plus three home runs from the offense forced the if-necessary game as Louisiana took down LSU 7-4.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Louisiana got a runner on early after a bobbled ball from Ali Kilponen. Stormy Kotzelnick moved Mihyia Davis over on a groundout before Sophie Piskos lined a base hit to center to put runners on the corners with one out. Karly Heath hit a grounder to the shortstop, but another miscue from LSU allowed the run to score and give the Cajuns an early advantage.
LSU didn’t stay down as Karli Petty launched her fourth homer of the year to dead center to make it 2-1 LSU with just one out in the second inning. The next batter was Raeleen Gutierrez who launched out to center as well, but Mihya Davis kept it in and gave Gutierrez the triple. Danieca Coffey lined one to the shortstop and Langeliers went to the plate, but Gutierrez was able to get under the tag and push the lead to 3-1. Then, a fielder’s choice at second scored another run to make it 4-1.
In the bottom of the second, Louisiana got a run back on an Alexa Langeliers solo shot to start the inning. Then, Maddie Hayden was hit by a pitch to bring it back to the top of the order with one out. Davis delivered a single and advanced to second on the throw to put two in scoring position with one out for Stormy Kotzelnick. Kotzelnick hit a grounder right at first base, but a bobble allowed everyone to be safe and scored another run to make it 4-3.
In the third inning, Jourdyn Campbell pinch hit for Cecilia Vasquez and delivered in a huge way, sending a three-run home run to the center field bleachers to make it 6-4 Louisiana.
Sophie Piskos extended the Cajuns’ advantage to 7-4 with a solo homer to left-center to continue her dominant weekend.
LSU got two runners in scoring position before Georgia Clark hit a long ball that would’ve tied the game, but it curved just foul. Louisiana was able to get the last out and advance to the final game.
BIG NUMBER: 11
Louisiana was able to get 11 base hits off of LSU a day after being shut out for the first time this season. Also, 11 runs combined from LSU and Louisiana made for an incredible game.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Sam Landry
Landry dazzled, coming in to start the third inning after Meghan Schorman gave up four runs. The sophomore finished the game holding LSU to one hit, striking out two, and walking three.
UP NEXT: Louisiana and LSU will meet once again with the winner heading to the Super Regionals. First pitch time is 4:20.