Carley Hoover threw her 2nd career no-hitter in LSU’s 5-0 victory over Louisiana Tech on Tuesday night.
Hoover started out the night strong, going perfect in the first two innings and striking out three in the process. In the third, Hoover had to get out of trouble after a walk, wild pitch, another walk and another wild pitch put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Another Hoover pitch that got away from Sahvanna Jaquish prompted LA Tech’s Berk Calapp to break for home, only to be greeted by Hoover who applied the tag at the plate for the first out of the inning. Hoover would then strikeout the next two batters to end the threat.
The only other runner to reach scoring position came in the fifth when LA Tech’s Jessica Ball drew a leadoff walk and was sacrificed over to second. Two batters later, a Jaquish throwing error allowed Ball to take third, but Hoover recorded the inning ending strikeout.
In total Hoover logged 11 strikeouts in her first complete game victory of the season.
The trio of Bailey Landry, Jaquish and Sydney Springfield powered the Tiger offense. Landry went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Jaquish had an RBI single in LSU’s four run 2nd inning, and another RBI single in the fourth inning. Springfield matched Jaquish with two hits of her own.
Although LSU was a bit sloppy, between the wild pitches and throwing errors, Shemiah Sanchez had a strong game defensively at third base while going 1-of-2 at the plate with a run scored.
This game wasn’t the 30-8 victory that LSU had in Ruston last season, but a no hitter is still quite impressive. It was particularly good to see Hoover have a great outing early in the season.
LSU is back in action Friday when they start four at Tiger Park against Georgia Southern and Central Arkansas as part of the Purple & Gold Challenge.