The No. 6 LSU softball team found a successful template during its Southeastern Conference motion at No. 11 Texas A&M.
The Tigers trailed in every game, rallied in the latter stages and relied on pitcher Sydney Berzon’s right arm.
LSU accomplished its three-game homestand against Texas A&M, overcoming a three-run deficit with a decisive seven-run sixth-inning effort, and Berzon made one other outstanding save in Saturday’s 9-3 victory to a crowd of three,056 at Tiger Park.
“I think it’s weird that the team that scored the first goal didn’t win a single ballgame,” LSU coach Beth Torina said. “I think it shows that we are fighting Tigers and we have hope. These guys never give up, they never give up and that will be their thing when they get through this stage.”
LSU (29-4, 8-4 SEC) returned to the SEC race after the second series, equaling Texas A&M in fourth place (28-7, 8-4).
Berzon (13-1) became the first LSU pitcher in 13 years since Brittany Mack won all three games in the series. She relieved starter Raelin Chaffin with two outs in the first quarter and the Tigers up 3-0, and pitched 5⅓ innings of scoreless relief with three hits, two walks and 4 strikeouts.
“I love being in every game, no matter the situation,” said Berzon, who pitched 15 innings in the series, giving up 10 hits and one run, adding six walks and 11 strikeouts in 234 pitches. “I do know that when someone calls my number, I actually have to be ready, whether it’s the first round of the match or the last round of the match.
“This day could have turned out in a different way if Raelin had stayed a bit of longer. I believe she would give you the chance to push through. Sometimes now we have to make a change, change the attackers’ eyes and I believe it worked for the day.”
LSU cut A&M’s result in 3-2 in the third period on a two-run single by Raeleen Gutierrez, past second baseman Rylen Wiggins and into center field, and the Tigers caught and passed the Aggies and ace pitcher Emiley Kennedy (14-5) in the sixth period .
Catcher Maci Bergeron scored her first run of the series – a single to left field – to attain Karla Petty, ending Kennedy’s outing.
LSU continued to enjoy A&M’s pitching, which featured two relievers in Emily Leavitt and Shaylee Ackerman, giving it its second-most productive inning of the season.
The team’s first nine batters reached base before an out was recorded, and Ali Newland (2 for 4) highlighted LSU’s outburst along with her second grand slam of the season. She split Ackerman’s bid 1-1 to the center field, making it 7-3 – her fourth profession grand slam. The Tigers also took advantage of an error on their next run, the last being a walk by Petty with the bases loaded.
LSU defeated A&M 14-0 in the fourth-inning game.
“Any time you can get involved in the SEC, it’s a great weekend,” Newland said. “We’ve been hitting balls right at people throughout the entire stretch (four losses). We knew this was coming. None of us are surprised to be back in the win column. A huge team effort, I’m happy to be back at it.”
