Bats struggle even as Tigers post winning record

It was another tough slate for the Tigers this past weekend as part of the ULL/LSU invitational but one the Tigers ultimately left with a winning record

Gorsuch silences #9 ULL bats

In the first game of the series, Maribeth Gorsuch tossed a complete game shutout, striking out four while allowing two hits and two walks in the Tigers 4-0 win. LSU offense was a one-two punch of Aliyah Andrews and Taylor Pleasants. Literally one-two, Andrews, who was named SEC-player of the week, led off and Pleasants was hitting second. The duo combined to go 6-of-8 in the game with Andrews picking up two runs and Pleasants driving in two runs.

Tigers on short end of pitchers duel

A lone Oklahoma State run made the difference in the 1-0 OSU victory. Shelbi Sunseri had a strong outing going seven innings allowing one earned on four hits and three walks, striking out six. The Tigers managed just two hits on the day. Ciara Briggs drew three walks in the game.

Bats remain quite in 3-1 loss to #10 Oklahoma State

The story in game one was much the same in game two. Amanda Doyle provided the lone Tiger run on a solo home run. Shelby Wickersham got the start but struggled going 1.2 innings allowing a run on three hits and three walks. She was replaced by Ali Kilponen who finished out the game allowing two unearned runs, following a Danieca Coffee error, and struck out five.

Team effort in the circle snaps losing streak

Sunseri, Gorsuch, and Kilponen combined to keep the ULL lineup in check as the Tigers won 3-2. The starter Sunseri tossed 3.1 innings allowing the two runs and striking out two. Gorsuch tossed three innings of shutout relief, allowing three hits. Kilponen closed things out in the top of the seventh. LSU scored the winning run when Briggs reached home on a throwing error by the ULL 3^rd baseman Jade Gortarez. Pleasants also had an RBI and Georgia Clark homered.

Smith stars in series finale

Freshman Morgan Smith tossed a complete game with three strikeouts in a 7-1 Tiger victory. In spite of the lopsided score, it was just a 3-1 game entering the sixth inning. The top of the lineup was again the spark of the offense with Andrews going four-of-four with an RBI and two runs scored. Pleasants went one-of-two with two RBI and a run scored.

Offense explodes in victory against USM

Andrews led off the game with her first career home run. It was an inside the park home run. In total the Tigers would post 11 runs in the 11-3 run rule win. Pleasants also remained on fire, going two-for-four with two RBI. Ali Newland posted two RBI including a home run. Savannah Stewart also drove in two. Wickersham threw all five innings with five strikeouts.

While the Tigers hold a 11-5 record through the early part of the seasons, there are signs of concerns as conference play draws closer. As it stands the Tigers as a team rank near the bottom of the conference in both offense and pitching, while going just 2-5 against ranked opponents. However, there are signs for optimism. Four of five Tiger starters have an OPS over .900. Meanwhile Raeleen Gutierrez and Danieca Coffee have been promising in a platoon capacity. All this to say that the Tigers do have options as far as talented players.

Still with No. 7 Texas coming to Tiger Park for a three game series, the lineup will need to prove that it can do more than feast on inferior competition.