LSU softball tops Utah State, 13-0, falls to Cal, 14-3

LAS VEGAS — After falling 14-3 to No. 3 California, the No. 25 LSU softball team rolled to a 13-0 five-inning victory over Utah State on Sunday on the final day of the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic at Stephanie Lynn Craig Park in Las Vegas.

The 13 runs for LSU (4-4) were the most runs scored by the Tigers since a 15-2 victory over Nicholls State in 2010, while the 12 hits were a season-high.

Ashley Langoni went 2-for-3 and drove in three RBIs highlighted by a two-run home run. She also scored four runs to tie a single-game school record.

Lauren Houston, Dylan Supak and Tammy Wray also picked up two RBIs apiece.

In the circle, Rachele Fico (3-1) had her second one-hitter of the season. She struck out six and walked none.

The Tigers raced out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Heyward and Houston walked with the bases loaded to score the runs.

LSU loaded the bases again in the second inning, and Wray delivered a two-out, two-run single to centerfield to double the Tiger lead to 4-0.

The Tigers exploded for seven runs in the third inning. Allison Falcon, Houston Langoni, Santos and Supak provided the RBIs. Supak’s two-run single down the left line capped the inning and gave the Tigers an 11-0 lead.

Langoni put the finishing touches on the win with a two-run homer in the fourth inning.

LSU returns to Tiger Park at 6 p.m. Tuesday to face Southeastern Louisiana. The first 1,000 fans will receive a commemorative LSU softball Mardi Gras bead.

No. 3 California 14, No. 25 LSU 3, 5 Innings: Down 6-0 in the third inning, LSU mounted a rally ignited by a leadoff walk by Heyward.

Falcon belted a RBI single to left field to score Heyward. Three batters later, Ashleigh Kuhn’s sacrifice fly made it 6-2.

With runners on the corners, Kailey McCasland hit an RBI single to left field to pull LSU to 6-3. Wray drew a walk to load the bases but Morgan Russell grounded out to end the rally.

California (8-0) responded with a two-out, two-run double from Breana Kostreba during the fourth inning to regain an 8-3 advantage.

In the fifth inning, the Golden Bears hit three home runs to account for the final margin.

Jolene Henderson earned her fifth win of the season in the circle for the Golden Bears, while LSU’s Brittany Mack dropped to 1-3 on the season.