The Gators fell in its second extra inning game of the season after the Tigers struck for a pair of runs late.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The 10th-ranked Florida softball team fell to No. 5 LSU, 4-3 (8), in extras on a crisp Sunday afternoon at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
The Gators (33-6, 8-3 SEC) fell behind early in the contest to the Tigers (31-5, 9-5 SEC) as LSU was able to scratch across a single run in the top of the second and third innings. A two-out walk that was followed by a double to center field scored the first run in the second inning and a one-out single followed by a two-out double to left field scored the second in the third inning.
Florida bounced back and cut the lead down to 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning. Korbe Otis singled to lead off the frame and Erickson singled down the right field line in the next at-bat to put a pair of runners on with no outs. Katie Kistler loaded the bases later on via a hit-by-pitch, which let freshman right-handed starting pitcher Ava Brown drive home Otis from third on a SAC fly to center field.
The Orange & Blue tied the game in the bottom of the fifth 2-2 when Kendra Falby deposited a one-out double down in to shallow left field. LSU made a pitching change and brought in Sydney Berzon (14-2) in relief. Otis singled down the right field line to score the speedy Falby from second.
The Gators took their first lead of the game, 3-2, in the bottom of the sixth after Brown held LSU scoreless for the previous three innings. Katie Kistler led the frame off with a chopper up the middle for a single. Ariel Kowalewski advanced Kistler to second base on a groundout to first base, which put her in scoring position for pinch-hitter Brooke Barnard. Barnard was clutch in the moment as she lifted the 1-0 offering from Berzon to the wall in left center field that scored Kistler easily.
Florida brought in right-handed freshman Keagan Rothrock (17-4) to close out the game and the Tigers managed to draw a leadoff walk, which was then followed up by a two-out, two-strike, double that tied the game, 3-3, and sent it to extras.
LSU capitalized on the opportunity of extra innings with a pair of base hits that ultimately led to the opportunity of a SAC fly that would secure the win.
The rubber-match for the series is set for Monday, April 8, at 7 p.m. on SEC Network.
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