Tigers take opening game of BR Regional

The Tigers took care of business in their opening round game of the Baton Rouge regional, trouncing Fordham 9-0 in a five inning, run-rule win.

LSU’s big inning was in the second. After back-to-back singles by Shelbi Sunseri and Amber Serrett, Becca Schulte would bounce back to the pitcher, who would commit a throwing error allowing Sunseri to score and Serrett to advance to third. The next batter Aliyah Andrews would fly out, scoring Serrett. Following a Taryn Antoine walk, Emily Griggs would double in Antoine and Schulte. Amanda Doyle would single to score Griggs, giving the Tigers five runs in the inning.

On the pitching end, Maribeth Gorsuch had no problems dealing with the Fordham offense, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out six in four innings of work. Having not pitched in two weeks, Beth Torina opted to give Carley Hoover the fifth inning. The senior hurler would notch three strikeouts and a walk in her inning of work.

The Tiger offense got going early, with Andrews scoring the first run of the game off a Fordham error. Andrews would score on another error in the fourth inning. Antoine would also score off an error in the fourth. Sunseri would add a home run in the third.

Andrews and Sunseri each had two-hit games while Griggs and Doyle each had two RBIs in the win.

LSU did what it needed to do in the opener. Particularly on offense, which capitalized on five Fordham errors in the shortened game. The ability to exploit opposition mistakes will be critical through the postseason. Additionally, the top of the lineup was awesome, with Andrews, Antoine, Griggs, and Doyle combining to go 4-of-7 with six RBI, three walks and five runs scored.

With the win, the Tigers will face Houston on Saturday at noon.