dailyloe.com – The fifth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners defeated the No. 20 LSU Tigers 3-2 in eight innings Friday night at Tiger Park in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Oklahoma rallied for three runs in the final two innings to secure a dramatic series-opening victory. This matchup featured two top-25 teams in a key Southeastern Conference (SEC) softball clash.
LSU pitcher Cece Cellura held Oklahoma’s potent offense scoreless through the first six innings of play. She threw 117 pitches over seven complete innings, striking out three and walking none. Cellura allowed three runs on ten hits in a strong performance.
The Sooners were held without a home run for only the second time this entire season. This highlighted the effectiveness of LSU’s defensive strategy against one of the nation’s most powerful lineups. Oklahoma improved its remarkable season record to 33 wins and only 2 losses.
LSU’s Jalia Lassiter hit her fifth home run of the season and matched her season-best with three hits. She also scored twice, recording her team-leading ninth multi-hit game this year. Teammate Alix Franklin went 2-for-2 with a game-tying RBI single and drew two walks.
Oklahoma relief pitcher Miali Guachino earned the win, improving her personal record to a perfect 9-0. She pitched 1.1 innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while recording a strikeout. Starter Audrey Lowry went 6.1 innings, giving up two runs on five hits.
LSU falls to a 22-11 overall record and 3-7 in SEC conference play following the narrow defeat. The second game of the series is scheduled for 11 a.m. Central Time on Saturday. It will be televised nationally on the SEC Network.[]
Source: LSUSports.net
