Editor’s Note: The following is an official press release courtesy of LSU’s athletics department.
HAMMOND, La. – Freshman pitcher Alea Johnson matched a season-high six strikeouts as she helped propel No. 10/12 LSU (23-2) to an 11-1 victory over Southeastern Louisiana (20-6) Wednesday night at North Oak Park.
“I think tonight was a battle,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “Our team continued to put the pressure on throughout the whole game. They scored runs in four of the six innings which allowed us to have control of the game all night.”
Johnson improves to 5-0 on the season with a complete game Wednesday night. In addition to her six strikeouts, Johnson allowed three hits, one run, and nine walks in 6.0 innings.
Junior infielder Danieca Coffey led the offensive explosion going 3-for-4 from the dish with two runs scored. The performance marked the fifth time this season Coffey logged three hits in a game. Sophomore outfielder McKenzie Redoutey tacked on two hits and two RBIs, including a double in the sixth stanza. Graduate infielder Karli Petty added two hits of her own, going 2-for-4 from the plate with two runs scored on the night.
Southeastern pitcher Cera Blanchard (9-3) was charged with the loss. She threw one strikeout and allowed four runs on three hits and six walks through 1.2 innings of work.
LSU loaded the bases following a couple singles and a walk in the second stanza. The Lady Lions walked in three runs for the Tigers and allowed another on a fielding error, giving LSU the early 4-0 lead.
Southeastern cut into LSU’s lead with a solo-shot in the bottom of second, but the Tigers struck back with a run of their own off another fielding error in the top of the fourth to make the score 5-1.
The Tigers put two runners on in the fifth thanks to a single from Coffey and a walk by junior outfielder Ciara Briggs. With two on and two out, junior shortstop Taylor Pleasants drove a single to left field which scored both runners and Pleasants reached third on a fielding error increasing the margin, 7-1.
The Bayou Bengals expanded their lead in the top of the sixth. A couple singles from junior outfielder Ali Newland and Petty set up a two-RBI double from Redoutey. With Redoutey on second, Coffey laid down a bunt and touched all four bases due to multiple throwing errors by the Lady Lions, giving LSU an 11-1 lead.
After Southeastern’s first two batters reached in the bottom of the sixth inning, LSU turned a double play and Johnson struck out the next batter to preserve the run-rule victory.
On Deck
LSU will play its first home SEC series of the year March 17-19 against No. 4/5 Tennessee.
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