After dropping the first game of doubleheader Monday against South Carolina, the No. 14 LSU softball team responded with a victory in the nightcap to open Southeastern Conference play with a series win in Columbia, South Carolina.
The Tigers won Monday’s second game 5-1 after losing the first game of the day 4-2. LSU won the series opener 9-1 on Saturday. The teams were originally scheduled to meet for Game 2 on Sunday but weather pushed that to Monday afternoon.
“We have a goal of trying to win all the conference series. This is a step in the right direction,” LSU coach Beth Torina said. “Obviously, we let Game 2 get away from us in some spots, but they had a pitcher who threw a good game against us so they definitely get the credit for that.”
Ali Kilponen lit up the circle in the nightcap for the Tigers (22-2, 2-1), tossing nine strikeouts and allowing only one run on four hits in seven innings against the Gamecocks (22-4, 1-2). It was Kilponen’s second complete-game win of the series.
“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.”
Infielder Georgia Clark and junior outfielder Ali Newland led the team with three hits and one RBI each, while junior first baseman Realeen Gutierrez had a team-high three RBIs in the second game.
In Monday’s first game, LSU freshman Sydney Berzon (7-1) was charged with her first loss of the season, finishing with three strikeouts, no walks, five hits and four runs in four innings. Sophomore pitcher Raelin Chaffin entered the circle in the fifth inning and allowed two hits but no runs.
South Carolina senior pitcher Donnie Gobourne improved to 5-0 after recording 10 strikeouts and allowing one run and four hits in five innings.
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