LSU softball survives slow start with Jackson State to win NCAA Baton Rouge Regional opener
LSU softball's offense wasn't doing much for most of Friday afternoon in the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional opener. Fortunately for the Tigers, it did enough.
LSU opened the game against Jackson State with a run in the first inning, but from there the bats fell cold. LSU kept JSU off the board but couldn't extend the lead for the rest of the first, the second or the third.
Only in the bottom of the fourth did LSU finally extend the lead. Ali Newland led off with a single and stole second, while McKenzie Roudety walked. Both got into scoring position on a groundout, then another groundout and an infield single by Karli Petty tripled JSU's deficit before the inning ended. By the sixth, LSU had scored two more runs.
Those runs were all LSU needed. LSU (41-15) survived Jackson State (33-18), 5-0, to stay out of an early elimination game in the NCAA Tournament.
LSU softball's Chaffin makes start in circle
For the first time in nearly two weeks, junior Raelin Chaffin started in the pitching circle. Chaffin didn't appear in any of LSU's three SEC Tournament games, and her last game prior to Friday was the regular-season finale against Liberty. Unlike her start against the Flames, Chaffin pitched well against JSU, throwing a complete-game shutout while striking out seven and not allowing a hit until the top of the fifth.
Crucial baserunning mistake snaps early rally
In the first inning, LSU had a golden opportunity to stretch its lead. With runners on first and second and two outs, Roudety singled to right. Gutierrez gambled and rounded third to try and extend the lead, but a perfect throw from JSU's Kaliyah Gipson beat her to the plate and quickly ended the rally. LSU was unable to score again until the bottom of the fourth.
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Base paths shut down
Jackson State entered Friday second in the nation in stolen bases, but despite facing one of college softball's fastest teams, LSU owned the base paths. JSU attempted just two steals Friday. In the first, LSU's Maci Bergeron was able to complete a strike-her-out, throw-her-out double play to end the top of the inning. In the top of the sixth, Jackson State's Samiyyah Huckabee actually beat the throw but was ruled out as she got her jump before the ball left the pitcher's hand.
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What's next
LSU will face Southern Illinois in the winners bracket game at noon Saturday.
This article originally appeared on The Courier: LSU softball survives slow start to win NCAA Baton Rouge Regional opener
