Last weekend, No. 3 Texas softball dropped its first series of the season while No. 9 LSU was swept by No. 1 Texas A&M. Now, the Longhorns and the Tigers are getting ready for another top 10 matchup, both eyeing a redemption.
Texas still boasts the second-best batting average in the country at .370, while LSU sits at No. 10 with a .353 average. Despite this difference, LSU’s batting is explosive.
Standout freshman Tori Edwards leads the Tigers. As one of the best hitters in the nation, according to LSU, Edwards leads the team with 61 RBIs and 15 home runs, setting a program freshman RBI record. The Tigers also have weapons in junior Maci Bergeron, who has driven in 43 runs and nine home runs, and redshirt senior Danieca Coffey, who is tied with Edwards for most hits with 54 and has 33 RBIs of her own.
However, LSU’s pitching staff has struggled with consistency, especially against top 10 programs. Head coach Beth Torina will likely start either junior right-hander Sydney Berzon or freshman left-hander Jayden Heavener throughout the weekend.
Berzon, considered the Tigers’ ace, has pitched 102.2 innings and has a record of 15-3. She has thrown 85 strikeouts and has an earned-run-average of 2.25, while Heavener leads the team in strikeouts with 123, earning an 11-3 record.
While the two possess these impressive stats, both faltered against A&M. Berzon was pulled in the fifth inning after giving up nine runs in the opener, and Heavener allowed seven first-inning runs in Saturday’s game.
Texas’ bullpen looks promising despite the series loss against No. 2 Tennessee. Sophomore pitcher Teagan Kavan continues to live up to expectations, showing major improvements from her freshman campaign in not only her technical prowess but also in her ability to step up in crucial moments.
Junior right-hander Citlaly Gutierrez’s pitching has come to life over the past couple of weeks. Her improvement gives depth and flexibility for Texas in the circle, crucial in preventing Kavan from suffering from pitcher fatigue as the postseason nears.
Offensively, Texas remains scary at the top of the order. Junior catcher Reese Atwood and senior utility Mia Scott are always reliable and explosive hitters. However, Texas has struggled to find a third consistent batter, a role that junior shortstop Viviana Martinez could have filled if she hadn’t gotten an ACL injury.
Sophomore infielder Katie Stewart has shown flashes of becoming that third consistent batter thanks to her power behind her swing, but she suffers from inconsistency. Junior utility players Leighann Goode and Kaydee Bennett at the plate have also both struggled in SEC play.
The Longhorns’ performance this weekend will reveal how well this year’s team can bounce back from real adversity, especially as it navigates playing in the nation’s most competitive softball conference.
