LSU softball shut out by Stanford ace Canady, sending super regional to Game 3
In the first game of the Stanford Super Regional, LSU pummeled Cardinal ace NiJaree Canady, chasing the national player of the year candidate in the fifth inning.
On Satuday, Canady and the Cardinal struck back.
The hurler was nearly unhittable as Stanford snagged a 3-0 win, to force a decisive Game 3 on Sunday as LSU tries to return to the Women's College World Series for the first time since 2017.
The Tigers and Cardinal will clash at 8:30 p.m. Sunday with a trip to Oklahoma City on the line.
Canady dominant
The likely national pitcher of the year, who led the country in both strikeouts and earned-run average, was throttled by the Tigers in her career-worst outing in Game 1, yielding 10 hits and five runs in 4+ innings on Friday.
The LSU bats would not find the same success in Game 2.
Canady held the Tigers hitless into the fifth inning before Ali Newland smashed a double into center field, but Stanford's star answered with three consecutive strikeouts to quell the threat.
The Cardinal sophomore finished with a two-hit shutout and struck out eight. Stanford backed her up, breaking through against LSU starter Kelley Lynch with a two-out rally in the third.
Taryn Kern missed a home run by inches in right field, settling for a triple after video replay and Kyra Chan followed it by doubling off the wall in center for the 1-0 edge in the third.
More: LSU softball vs. Stanford in NCAA Super Regional: Scouting Report, Weekend Predictions
Turning to Lynch
LSU threw a curve before the game even started, turning to Lynch to start the game in the circle against the Cardinal a day after Sydney Berzon was stellar in the circle against Stanford
Lynch had World Series experience last season with Washington.
Berzon kept Stanford at bay in Game 1, allowing one run and three hits in the Tigers' run-rule win, but it was Canady's turn on Saturday.
Lynch limited Stanford to one run and four hits until the seventh inning, when the Cardinal plated two insurance runs as River Mahler and Emily Jones opened the frame with extra-base hits.
Game 3 on tap
The Tigers head to Game 3 of the super regional for the sixth time in program history, 3-2 all-time in the decisive game, including two on the road.
LSU will look to find the offensive groove it had on Friday, when the Tigers tallied 16 hits and 11 runs against the Cardinal.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: LSU softball shut out at Stanford, forcing Game 3 of super regionals
