Softball Tops ULL, Advances to Super Regional

LSU clinched the Baton Rouge Regional with an 8-3 victory over ULL, setting up a three game set against Florida State in Baton Rouge, and putting the Tigers one step closer to an appearance in the Women’s College World Series.

Fresh off their win just minutes earlier, the ULL offense got the scoring going early with a lead off home run but were not able to capitalize with the bases loaded and two outs later in the inning.

The Tigers responded quickly with Aliyah Andrews and Ciara Briggs using their speed to notch two infield singles to set the table. Two batters later, Georgia Clark singled up the middle scoring both Andrews and Briggs and putting the Tigers back on top.

In the third, Taylor Pleasants launched a solo home run to right center, padding the Tiger lead.

Meanwhile, Ali Kilponen continued on her strong outing from game one, keeping the Cajun bats in containment. She pitched seven innings, allowing just one run through the first five, and striking five in the process.

LSU looked to put the game away in the fifth. It started with an Amanda Doyle sac fly that scored Andrews. A few batters later, Georgia Clark got her second big hit of the game, a three run home run which scored Pleasants and Briggs. Clark would finish the game two-for-two with five runs driven in, a walk and a run. Briggs also had a strong game with three hits and two runs scored.

ULL began making a comeback in the sixth with a two run home run, but the Tigers maintained a healthy lead when on a Briggs single, a throwing error allowed Andrews to score her third run of the day.

Things were interesting in the seventh as ULL put two more on the board. However, the tying run never came to the plate and a final ground out let the Tigers spend one more weekend in Baton Rouge.

With the win the Tigers have now won six straight regionals and this is the first time LSU will host a Super Regional since 2015. The incoming Seminoles have been a frequent post season foe for the Tigers. In 2017 LSU won the Super Regional in Tallahassee, with the Noles winning the following year.