LSU Slips By State In Nightcap Scoring Melee, 15-13
Bulldogs Squander Six-Run Lead As Pitching Struggles Continue
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Despite scoring 13 runs and matching a season-high hit total, homestanding Mississippi State (23-14, 3-8 SEC) squandered a six-run fourth-inning lead before finally succumbing to No. 11/12 LSU (25-9, 6-4), 15-13 in eight innings, Wednesday evening at the Mississippi State Softball Field.
Six different players recorded multi-hit nights at the plate for the Bulldogs, led by Kate Jaspers' four-hit (4-for-5) showing with a trio of runs scored. Brooke Best (2-for-4, R), Iyhia McMichael (2-for-3, 3 R, 3 BB), Jennifer Jessup (2-for-5, R) and Krystal Tillman (2-for-5, R) each drove in a pair of runs for the Maroon and White in the losing cause. Jennifer Nelson joined McMichael and Tillman by scoring three times on a 1-for-4 showing. McMichael's two-hit performance stretched her career-long hitting streak out to 17 games. Five different Tigers turned in a pair of hits for the Purple and Gold.
MSU starter Melissa Massey (15-6) made two appearances in the contest, surrendering 12 runs (six earned) on six walks and nine LSU hits to saddle the loss for MSU. Reliever Stephanie Owens worked three outs in the sixth and seventh innings and allowed three earned runs on one hit and a trio of walks. Courtney Frank allowed one hit and one walk in one-thirds of an inning and Summer Delaneuville walked one and struck out one in two-thirds of an inning of work.
Purple and Gold starter Tessa Lynam surrendered the most hits and most runs ever allowed by LSU after getting exploited for 12 runs on 15 hits and three walks, but got the no decision for the visitors. Kristin Schmidt (14-8) came on in the seventh and closed out the game, allowing one run on two hits and four walks.
"You're not going to win a game walking 11 batters," said Mississippi State head coach Jay Miller. "Bottom line is, we need to get some help on the mound. We're getting the lead and we're not holding it."
Mississippi State put together three-straight multi-run innings to start the contest and took a 9-3 lead into the fifth. Massey encountered her first real trouble in the fifth when LSU put a pair of runners on with two outs, but third baseman Callye Williams misplayed a swiftly hit grounder that allowed the Tigers to load the bases. One pitch later, leftfielder Camille Harris finished off the damage, teeing off on Massey's first offering for a grand slam that cut the Maroon and White lead to just a pair, 9-7.
State scored three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to extend its lead back out to five, but LSU scored twice in the sixth and three times in the seventh to send the game into extra frames. LSU put its first two runners on in the eighth via a leadoff walk and a fielder's choice sac hit to set the table for Sara Fitzgerald who ripped a two-run double to the gap in left center. Two batters later, Fitzgerald scored on a wild pitch that gave LSU a 15-12 lead.
State began its half of the eighth with two-straight hits, the latter of which was a RBI double from Tillman, then put another runner on after Jennifer Nelson drew a five-pitch walk. Best moved both runners into scoring position on a sac bunt before Schmidt loaded the bases herself by issuing McMichael a free pass. With the bases juiced and one out showing, however, Schmidt induced Lindsay Nelson to pop up and struck out Jessup swinging to slam the door.
Mississippi State and LSU will finish out their set on Thursday afternoon when the squads return to the Mississippi State Softball Field for the series finale. First pitch has been slated for 4 p.m. and admission is free.
#11/12 LSU 15, MISSISSIPPI STATE 13 (8 Innings)
LSU 120 042 33 -- 15 11 4 Mississippi State 432 030 01 -- 13 17 2
Lynam, Schmidt (7) and Danos, Reeves (3); Massey (1, 8), Owens (6), Frank (7), Delaneuville (8) and Brown. W - Schmidt (14-8). L - Massey (15-6). Save - None. 2B - LSU, Fitzgerald, Lynam, Wiese, Reeves, Harris. MSU - Jaspers, Tillman. HR - LSU, Lynam, Harris. MSU, Tillman. Time - 3:05. Att. - 371.