Tigers use four-run sixth inning to clinch series over the Aggies

Game #34: No. 7 Louisiana State 5, No. 12 Texas A&M 1
Records: Texas A&M (28-6, 8-3), Lousiana State (28-4, 7-4)
WP: Sydney Berzon (12-1)
LP: Emily Leavitt (6-1)
Box Score

No. 12 Texas A&M took a second loss to No. 7 LSU, 5-1, at Tiger Park on Friday evening to drop the series.

The Aggies started scoring early in the first. Amari Harper drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a Julia Cotrill two-out RBI single.

A&M starter Shaylee Ackerman delivered a shutdown inning in the first, retiring the Tigers in order in the bottom half of the first frame.

LSU escaped some danger in the third inning with bases loaded and no outs for the Aggies. Lynch, a 2023 NFCA Pacific All-Region selection, managed to strike out Trinity Cannon, Cottrill and Allie Enright to avoid any damage.

Ackerman started strong in the circle for the Maroon & White, tossing 3.2 hitless innings before allowing a single to right fielder McKenzie Redoutey in the fourth.

After a leadoff single up the middle from Ali Newland for the Tigers, A&M head coach Trisha Ford decided to take Ackerman out in favor of reliever Emily Leavitt. 

Soon after, Taylor Pleasants, who hit the walk-off homer in Thursday's game, doubled to left center field, tying the contest at one. 

The Aggies threatened again in the top of the sixth with runners on first and second with two outs but ultimately couldn't deliver the timely hit. The Maroon & White went 1-for-8 at the dish with runners in scoring position on the night.

After Leavitt walked two batters in the sixth, Ford turned to her ace Emiley Kennedy. The usually reliable Kennedy went on to walk four consecutive Tigers, blowing the game wide open.

LSU would ultimately score four in the fifth, staking themselves to a 5-1 lead.

With the loss, the Aggies move to 8-3 in Southeastern Conference play. They take the field one more time in Baton Rouge on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. C.T.