After taking down Jackson State yesterday, LSU moved into the winner’s bracket for a matchup with Southern Illinois in the Baton Rouge softball regional. Taylor Pleasants helped give the Tigers the early lead and it was more than enough as LSU came out on top 4-1 over the Salukis.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
LSU was the visiting team in this matchup and got on the board in the first inning. Sierra Daniel led off with a ground out but Ciara Briggs reached first on a bunt to the third base side then Taylor Pleasants hit a two-run jack over right field to put the Tigers up by two.
Sydney Berzon got the start for LSU, gave up one hit in the first two innings, and struck three batters in the second.
The Tigers extended their lead in the third as Pleasants was walked and advanced to second base on a fly out by Raeleen Gutierrez. Ali Newland brought in Pleasants with an RBI single into right field as the Tigers went up 3-0.
Southern Illinois made a pitching change at the top of the fourth to Madi Eberle after starting pitcher Maddia Groff walked Madyson Manning. Eberle forced a couple of pop flies to send the game to the bottom of the fourth.
Southern Illinois’ Jackie Lis hit a single to the LSU shortstop in that inning but got out on a fielder’s choice. Rylie Hamilton who reached first on the play got out on a double play trying to advance to second after Sidney Jones flew out in center field. The Tigers remained up three after four innings.
Erin Lee single at the bottom of the sixth and moved to second on a wild pitch by Berzon. Amanda Knutson pinch-ran for Lee after the play and then advanced to third on another wild pitch. Elizabeth Warwick put the Salukis on the board with an RBI single into right field. Lis reached first on a fielder’s choice then advanced to third on a couple more wild pitches but Hamilton fouled out to end the inning. LSU’s lead was now 3-1 after six innings.
Maddox McKey led off the seventh with a single into center field then advanced on a groundout by Karli Petty. Kelly Lynch pinch-hit for Daniel and put runners on the corners with a single over the second baseman’s head. Briggs then hit a sac line out to bring home McKey and extend LSU’s lead.
It came down to the bottom of the seventh for Southern Illinois but Berzon forced a fly out by Jones and struck out two more to secure the 4-1 win over the Salukis.
BIG NUMBER: 2
In their two games in the Baton Rouge Regional, LSU batters have struck out twice while Sydney Berzon retired eight of Southern Illinois’ batters in Saturday’s matchup.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Taylor Pleasants
Pleasants was a part of all of LSU’s runs on Saturday as she finished the day 1/3 from the plate but scored two runs and had a two-run home run in the first inning as the Tigers took down the Salukis 4-1.
UP NEXT: The LSU Tigers softball team will wait to find their next opponent in the Baton Rouge Softball Regional.