SB vs LSU in WS Semis: 3:30pm on ESPN

Submitted by MGoSoftball on

I am starting this thread a little early but I wanted to break down our opponent today: LSU.

LSU is 52-13 overall (15-9 SEC).  They were in the top 10 USA Today most of the season; including several weeks at #1 after taking 2 out of 3 at Florida.  LSU took 2 out of 3 from both Kentucky and Tennessee this season.  LSU lost 2 out of 3 to Mizzou and Auburn as well.

LSU is a power hitting team led by Bianka Bell and Bailey Landry.  Bell is hitting .421 with a whopping .802 SLG %.  She has 18 HR and 73 RBIs.   Landry is hitting .429 with a .571 SLG %.  She has 2 HR and 26 RBIs.

LSU will score runs but their weakness is their pitching.  They are led by the duo of Allie Walljasper and Carley Hoover  Walljasper has a season ERA of 1.84.  She has 96Ks and 30 BBs.  Hoover has a season ERA of 1.63.  She has 171 Ks and 69 BB.

The Tigers Pitching will give up some runs but it will not come easy for us.  We need to continue to perform as we have most of the season.  If we get some good and timely hits, the Megan will only need to have a good, not great game to win today.  However, if Megan struggles like she did on Friday, then the offense will need to kick it into the next gear.  My guess is that Megan comes out on fire and the bats keep popping.  

PREDICTION: Michigan 9  LSU 4.

MGoBoard

BornSinner

May 31st, 2015 at 6:16 PM ^

Never really understood the whole swing at the first pitch deal in baseball/softball... 

Joined: 09/20/2014

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South Bend Wolverine

May 31st, 2015 at 6:19 PM ^

Depends on the pitch.  If you develop too much of a tendency to take the first pitch no matter what, you're predictable and pitchers will exploit it by throwing hittable strikes.  You've got to stay aggressive, and if they give you something you like, go after it.  Romo put good power on that one, just happened to be right at the fielder.

Joined: 09/11/2009

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Mweasel

May 31st, 2015 at 6:17 PM ^

Alright...caught a break with the wild throw and cashed it in...our Boss pitcher on the mound...game tied up...

Time to take care of business!!

Joined: 01/25/2014

MGoPoints: 543

Frank Chuck

May 31st, 2015 at 6:19 PM ^

Romero should not have swung at the first pitch. Hutch has preached patience. I know Romero is our star hitter and exudes confidence but she should have been more patient and waited for a pitch she could pull.

Joined: 05/01/2015

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Avant's Hands

May 31st, 2015 at 6:18 PM ^

Good to tie, but the runners we are leaving on base today is ridiculous. It's our best hitters struggling, too.
Happy for Mantemorano though. Nice to see her get a couple big hits in the postseason.

Joined: 10/22/2011

MGoPoints: 9271

Avant's Hands

May 31st, 2015 at 6:33 PM ^

I guess the bright side is that our top five hitters have been almost nonexistent and our pitching was bad, but we are still tied. This is about as bad as we could have played this game.

Joined: 10/22/2011

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