LSU softball surging as SEC play begins this week

Almost everything seems to be working for LSU softball and coach Beth Torina, right down to the tiny details of scheduling.

The No. 15 Tigers are 20-1 going into Southeastern Conference play, which begins Saturday at South Carolina. Torina likes that the team doesn’t have a midweek game before the team’s “second season” begins.

“I try to do that every year, and it doesn’t always work out,” Torina said. “I like having kind of a reset to get back to doing what we do well, time to think about LSU softball and if we’re playing our best before we take on the SEC.”

It would be hard for the Tigers to be much better coming off a 5-0 sweep on the West Coast last weekend, including wins against solid programs such as Michigan, Minnesota and Loyola-Marymount. There was a little bit of everything, including two shutouts, two games with double-figure runs scored, and LSU’s best comeback of the season.

“We played well; it’s tough to fly across the country and play like that,” Torina said. “I liked what I saw from them.

“We tried to make it that way (everyone contributing). It was in the back of my head to try and get them as prepared as possible for SEC play. Whoever we need to call on as we start a different part of the season, we’re ready to do that.”

LSU didn’t have to rely as much on sluggers Taylor Pleasants and Georgia Clark. Leadoff hitter Danieca Coffey batted .588 (10 for 17) over the weekend with six runs scored and six RBIs. That included four RBIs to help break open a tight game against San Jose State, and a solo homer in a 2-0 win against Michigan.

“Danieca Coffey was incredible. It was the Danieca Coffey show all weekend long,” Torina said. “It was like she never got out. She definitely carried us and set a tone for us, had a really special tournament.”

She wasn’t the only one. Ciara Briggs had a clutch three-run double to fuel the comeback win vs. Loyola Marymount, and she had three doubles among her seven hits. McKenzie Redoutey hit two homers, including one in the 3-0 win against Minnesota; Karli Petty hit a grand slam for her first LSU homer; Pleasants smacked a two-run homer and two-run single against Loyola Marymount; Ali Newland had six hits and six RBIs, including a homer and a double; and Clark hit her fifth homer and walked four times.