:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54987087/i__1_.0.jpeg)
LSU 6, FLORIDA STATE 4
The LSU Tigers are going back to OKC!
The Fighting Tigers clinched their third straight appearance in the Women’s College World Series with their 6-4 win over the Florida State Seminoles in Tallahassee on Sunday afternoon. The victory once again puts LSU in position to win their first National Championship in softball, a title that has eluded the successful program throughout their history.
LSU was aided primarily by the bats of Sahvanna Jaquish, Bailey Landry and Aliyah Andrews. The trio combined to hit 6-10 Sunday afternoon with five RBI and two runs scored. Landry picked up arguably the biggest hit of the ballgame in the top of the seventh, as the superstar senior laced a triple to left centerfield to tack on a huge insurance run. Jaquish was responsible for four runs herself, socking a two-RBI double in the third inning for the game’s first runs and then a two-RBI single in the top of the fourth to pad the lead.
Allie Walljasper and Carley Hoover pitched well enough to help lead LSU to victory. Walljasper allowed seven hits and three earned runs in 3.2 innings before Hoover took over and minimized the damage. Hoover, who was the pitcher of record, allowed three hits in 3.1 innings, allowed one run and picked up a strikeout and two walks.
Costly baserunning mistakes as well as failing to cash in with runners on wound up doing the ‘Noles in, especially so in the final stanza. In the end, a terrific season for FSU ends sourly while LSU books yet another trip to Oklahoma City. The Tigers will partake in Bracket 2, which features the UCLA Bruins, the defending National Champion Oklahoma Sooners and either the Baylor Bears or Arizona Wildcats.
TEXAS A&M 5, TENNESSEE 3
For the first time since 2008, the Aggies are going to the WCWS!
After repeated early NCAA Tournament exits over the better part of the past decade, A&M finally will return to the promised land after they defeated Tennessee, 5-3, in the final game of the Knoxville Super Regional.
It wasn’t easy for the Aggies, though. All three of Tennessee’s runs came in the first two innings, and the Volunteers found themselves with a 3-0 lead going into the third with ace Matty Moss in the circle.
In the third inning, though, A&M struck. First, Ashley Walters got the Aggies on the board with a sacrifice fly. Then, one batter later, Riley Sartain unloaded a three-run home run to left field to give A&M a 4-3 lead. Tori Vidales would add a solo shot in the fifth to pad the lead.
The bracket has yet to be finalized, but check back later to see who A&M will square off with next weekend!