On Wednesday, the LSU softball team boarded a charter plane for a long flight to California for a Super Regional series against Stanford which begins Friday night.
The thought likely crossed Coach Beth Torina’s mind that they shouldn’t be boarding this plane.
LSU is 43-15 and ranked fourth in the RPI.
But a closer look at LSU’s resume shows the Tigers lost six of their eight SEC series and after a 24-0 start LSU went 16-15.
LSU is a nine national seed and forced to play Stanford at their park for a trip to the Women’s College World Series.
Torina says the difficult schedule her team played has them ready for this moment.
“There is no easy road to the College World Series, we’ve lived that, we’ve played that, so put them in as much adversity as possible, so when they are put in big situations like that we are prepared,” Torina said.
The big test for LSU’s hitters will be facing Stanford pitcher NiJaree Canady, who is 21-4 with a 0.52 ERA. Canady has struck out a nation leading 292 hitters in 187.2 innings pitched. The 0.52 ERA also leads the nation.
LSU’s offense, which struggled for much of SEC play, has shown life since the SEC Tournament. In the Baton Rouge Regional, the Tigers outscored their opponents 24-6.
LSU has been strong in the circle. Sidney Berzon and Kelley Lynch have been an outstanding one-two punch. Berzon is 19-8 with a 1.62 ERA. Lynch is 9-2 with six complete game shutouts.
LSU has 1-0 victories this season against Tennessee and Florida and they may need another one of those to win this Super Regional Series.
