LSU softball soaring into SEC tournament after breakout series win against Georgia

LSU softball soaring into SEC tournament after breakout series win against Georgia
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It’s never too late for a breakout series, and LSU softball came through in the final weekend of the regular season against an elite opponent.

Taking two of three games from Georgia, the Southeastern Conference’s runnerup, was overdue and affirming for a team that has battled injuries and close calls throughout the season, and ended up seemingly far better than a sixth-place team.

LSU pitching was dominant against the SEC’s best hitting team to solidify the conference tournament’s No. 6 seed. LSU (40-14, 13-11) will play No. 11 Ole Miss in the first round at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Bogel Park in Fayetteville, Ark.

A victory would put the Tigers up against No. 3 seed Auburn and one more shot at ace pitcher Maddie Penta, who beat the Tigers twice three weeks ago.

If it happens, Penta might find a different attitude facing her.

LSU outhit the Georgia 25-14 and outscored the Bulldogs 12-5. The final game was a good example of the LSU M.O. The Tigers might drop the first game but they improve through the series, learning every pitcher and then scoring more runs in the final game than the two teams combined for in the rest of the series.

Senior Ali Kilponen got them started on the Sunday doubleheader sweep with a three-hitter that was one out from being a 2-0 shutout. She struck out seven, walked none and faced three batters over the minimum on a complete-game, season-low 92 pitches.

Then, the threesome of freshmen Alea Johnson and Emilee Casanova and sophomore Raelin Chaffin, who haven’t seen near as much action as Kilponen or ace Sydney Berzon, each went two innings. Georgia’s only run scored on a wild pitch.

Coach Beth Torina, whose background is pitching, brought them along slowly and used all three to keep the slugging Bulldogs off balance.

“I’m impressed when they’re ready when their number’s called, even when it hasn’t been called a lot,” Torina said. “I’m impressed that they’ve never stopped working this entire season. They’ve never given up, they’ve never cashed in, they’ve never taken a day off for a moment like this. And then they’re ready when their number’s called.”

LSU hitters were clutch. Ali Newland has emerged as one of the most reliable hitters since taking over the catching duties full time. She earned SEC Player of the Week honors after batting .700 (7 for 10) with three RBIs and three runs scored.

Senior Georgia Clark went 5 for 10 and had the big blow with a two-run homer to erase Georgia’s 1-0, Game 3 lead in the first inning. McKenzie Redoutey knocked in a team best five runs for the weekend, including a clutch two-run single in the 2-1 Game 2 victory.

The question now for the Tigers is will the series win be enough to get LSU a regional site for the NCAA tournament. It might be hard for the selection committee to give six sites to the SEC, but the Tigers have the best RPI in the conference at No. 6 and its schedule is rated third toughest in the country.

“We’d love to be in Tiger Park, but whatever happens, we’ll be ready to go,” Torina said. “We’ll play whoever they ask us to play, wherever they ask us to play it.”

“I think we’ve got a really strong résumé. With a really tough strength of schedule, to win 40 games, and to do what this team’s done. I think they battled through some adversity, without Taylor Pleasants for a huge portion of the season and I think they’ve done a good job of just showing we have all the pieces and parts and we have what it takes.”

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About Mary Weyand 15922 Articles
Mary founded Scoop Tour with an aim to bring relevant and unaltered news to the general public with a specific view point for each story catered by the team. She is a proficient journalist who holds a reputable portfolio with proficiency in content analysis and research. With ample knowledge about the Automobile industry, she also contributes her knowledge for the Automobile section of the website.

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