The No. 14 LSU softball team (2-0) shutout South Alabama (1-1), 3-0 and knocked off Illinois (1-1), 4-2 on day one of the Tiger Classic at Tiger Park.
Clark paced the team with a hit in both games including a home run, and Sunseri got it done on both sides of the field as she tossed a complete game shutout in game on and hit her first dinger of the season in game two.
Game One
Clark recorded the Tigers’ first home run of the season with a two-run shot in the bottom of first. It was Clark’s 15th career homer and 16th career multiple RBI game. An inning later, Danieca Coffey got things started with a leadoff single and after South Alabama got one out, they walked three consecutive batters with Ciara Briggs earning the RBI by bringing Coffey home.
“I was just happy I saw a changeup for my first at bat, so that was great,” Clark said. “Going into that, I saw it was elevated and just gave it my best swing. Coach said, ‘let it go, stop being a rocket scientist this week and just hit the freaking cover off it,’ so that was the plan.”
Sunseri (1-0) picked up first win of the season in the circle thanks to a two-hit, complete game shutout. Sunseri fanned five batters and walked one. It was Sunseri’s 27th career complete game and ninth career shutout.
“She’s a special player, she’s in a great spot,” LSU softball coach Beth Torina said of Sunseri. “I think she’s starting off the year in a good spot. Every day I’m thankful we have this fifth year with her. Just continuing to improve her already incredible game here in her fifth year. She’s already a special player and we’re lucky to have her.”
Game Two
After a pair of scoreless innings for both teams, Presleigh Pilon reached on a fielding error. Ciara Briggs’ RBI single brought Pilon home and a batter later, Sunseri went yard to left field for the second two-RBI home run of the day, giving LSU a 3-0 lead.
Illinois answered with one run in the top of the fourth and sixth innings, but the Tigers scored an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth thanks to pinch runner KK Madrey.
Ali Kilponen (1-0) secured her first win of the season with a complete game as she struck out four batters.
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