Explosive fourth inning pushes No. 15 LSU past Cal Poly

FULLERTON, Calif. – No. 15 LSU exploded for 10 runs in the fourth inning to secure a 12-4 shutout victory over Cal Poly at Anderson Family Field to conclude the Judi Garman Classic.

LSU improved to 20-1 on the season after winning all five West Coast contests. Cal Poly falls to 7-7 this season with the loss.

The Tigers totaled 14 hits and logged a season-high three home runs, including two in the same inning. Second baseman Karli Petty hit a grand slam for her first home run of the season to match her career-high four RBIs in a single game. Outfielders Ali Newland and McKenzie Redoutey both added two hits in the win.

First baseman Raeleen Gutierrez was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate and scored two runs. Third baseman Danieca Coffey had her third multi-hit game of the tournament as she went 3-for-4 with one run scored. Designated player Georgia Clark completed the multi-hit Tigers in the game with two hits in three at bats with two RBIs and one run scored.

Graduate pitcher Ali Kilponen earned the win to move to 6-0 in the circle after striking out two batters and allowing two hits, no walks and no runs in 1.2 innings. Pitcher Emilee Casanova started the game on the rubber and finished with four strikeouts with four hits, three walks, and four runs over 3.1 innings.

Cal Poly struck first in the top of the second inning with two runs, but LSU quickly answered with two runs of its own. Gutierrez led off the frame with a double before Redoutey hit his second home run of the weekend to tie the game at 2-2.

After Cal Poly scored two runs in the fourth to re-establish a two-run lead, LSU exploded for 10 runs to take a 12-4 advantage. Petty walked to start the bottom of the fourth and Newland got the scoring started by opening the infield with a double bomb. A single and a walk later, shortstop Taylor Pleasants lined an RBI double to right field. Clark came up the next at bat and drove a two RBI double down the left field line. LSU batted innings and with the juice on base, Petty hit his first homer as an LSU Tiger to increase the margin, 11-4. Center fielder Ciara Briggs wrapped up a 10-run inning with an RBI-single to give LSU a 12-4 lead.

On Deck

LSU will open SEC play at South Carolina for a three-game series March 11-13 in Columbia, SC