It took an extra inning, but the LSU softball team survived a pitching duel against Texas A&M in Game 1 on Thursday night thanks to a no-doubt, walk-off bomb from [autotag]Taylor Pleasants[/autotag] in the eighth to give the Tigers a 2-1 win.
The Aggies struck first in the opening frame as [autotag]Sydney Berzon[/autotag] allowed a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases. She then walked a run home as Texas A&M snagged the early 1-0 lead, but she got out of the jam without allowing any more damage.
That was all the offense either team could manage until the bottom of the fifth inning when [autotag]Ciara Briggs[/autotag] hit a two-out single to score [autotag]Maia Townsend[/autotag] from third. However, the Tigers couldn’t claim the lead as we went into the penultimate inning knotted up at one run apiece.
LSU went into the bottom of the seventh with a chance to walk it off, and McKenzie Redoutey led off with a single, but the next three batters went down in order, and the game headed to extras.
After the Aggies left one runner on base in the top of the eighth, LSU ended things quickly in the bottom of the frame as Pleasants hit her walk-off homer to end the game and give the Tigers the early advantage in the series.
Second walk-off homer of the season for TP! #DealUsIn pic.twitter.com/J29n3POJ2w
— LSU Softball (@LSUsoftball) March 29, 2024
TAYLOR PLEASANTS WALKS IT OFF…AGAIN!#DealUsIn pic.twitter.com/QMzs4EsdTF
— LSU Softball (@LSUsoftball) March 29, 2024
Berzon pitched an eight-inning complete game, allowing seven hits but just one earned run while striking out five.
LSU will be back in action for Game 2 against Texas A&M at Tiger Park on Friday, which is set for 5 p.m. CT.
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