2022 LSU Gumbo - Book - Page 32
Photos by Savanna Orgeron
LSU softball’s last home game of the season ended with
No. 10 Florida taking the series 2-1. After battling for nine
innings, the Tigers’ loss came down to a single pitch.
“We were in it until one pitch,” Head Coach Beth Torina
said. That was the dictation of the game. It could have
easily gone our way. Our defense played well, Ali pitched
incredible, worked her way out of jams and made big
pitches in big spots, but we didn’t get that timely hit.”
Florida’s Cheyenne Lindsey hit a home run off Ali
Kilponen to give the Gators the win. The Tigers dropped
to No. 6 in conference standings after losing the series.
LSU only has one game left in the season before the start of
the SEC tournament.
Despite the team’s rebound from Saturday, their
performance was not strong enough to take the series. The
Tigers played well defensively but missed several chances to
score. They prevented Florida from scoring for six innings.
Besides their run in the fourth inning, LSU failed to have
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any runners reach third base for the rest of the game.
“We still have a young group learning how to win,”
Torina said. “I don’t know if we’ve been in a spot like that
one, a tight one like that down to the wire. Hopefully next
time that will go our way.”
The night ended for both teams with a total of six hits
each. The Purple and Gold finally scored thanks to an RBI
single off senior Shelbi Sunseri’s bat. Pitcher Ali Kilponen
struck out six batters and walked seven in 164 pitches. She
struck out Lindsey four times before the senior slammed
one over the fence to give the Gators the lead.
“Lindsey’s just a great hitter,” Ali Kilponen said after the
game. “That was my fifth time facing her today. At the end
of the day, you have to tip your cap. It was a good pitch,
and she did a good job on it.”
The Tigers finished the regular season on the road
against Mississippi State. After the series, LSU began
preparing for the SEC Tournament.