LSU softball coach Yvette Girouard was quick to remind that the Southeastern Conference race is far from over.
But make no mistake about, she's enjoying the view from the top.
"We made it a little easier on ourselves," Girouard said of winning the SEC's Western Division for the sixth straight year. "We always talk about controlling our own destiny, but we can't let up. But there's no question who the best team the SEC is. Now we have to back that up."
No. 5 LSU (32-8, 17-3) did just that and more, rebounding from a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat in 11 innings the first game against No. 15 Alabama (33-13, 14-4) with consecutive blowouts of the Tide to gain control of the SEC West race with nine games remaining.
LSU outscored Alabama 16-1 and outhit them 24-9. The Tide had lost at home just twice in 24 games before suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time this season.
"We're tired," Girouard said of her club that completed its six-game road swing of Arkansas and Alabama with five victories. "I'm very pleased. It turned out to be a good trip for us. We accomplished our mission. We just have to finish it off."
LSU came within a disputed home run call that wiped away a two-run shot by Trena Peel of actually sweeping all three games from Alabama.
The Tide spoiled a sterling performance by LSU All-American pitcher Britni Sneed who allowed one hit and struck out 17. She then yielded a one-out single in the bottom of the 11th after the game went to the international tiebreaker rule.
"Except for Oklahoma, that's the best I've seen her pitch," Girouard said, referring to Sneed's memorable 19-strikeout, 13-inning win over Oklahoma in the 2001 Women's College World Series. "Where she's grown up in my eyes is that when she needs a strikeout, she gets it."
When LSU needed a victory, they relied on the same mentality. After losing the first game and falling into second place, the Tigers didn't wait long to regain the momentum and more importantly -- the SEC lead.
LSU scored twice in the second inning and blew the game open with seven runs over the fourth and fifth innings for a 9-0 win.
Sophomore pitcher Kristin Schmidt was nearly as flawless as Sneed, limiting Alabama to three hits. She strike out three in a game that was stopped after the fifth inning because of the mercy rule.
"We had to have that win and Kristin pitched big time," Girouard said. "She stepped up and I thanked her for it. She showed a lot of guts."
After failing to score and register three hits in Saturday's first game loss, LSU adjusted against Alabama All-American Shelley Laird and opened a 1-0 lead in the fourth with five runs over the next two innings.
Third baseman Julie Wiese finished 3-for-3 with 2 RBIs and a double, first baseman Christy Connor, second baseman April Janzen and Peel all finished with two hits apiece.
Sneed, who's 34-game SEC winning streak was snapped, was equally impressive with her 13th shutout of the season in the 7-0 triumph. She finished with eight strikeouts and lowered her season's earned run average to 0.95.
"No excuses, no wondering, she's a better pitcher than we are hitters," Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said of Sneed.
It was a weekend Girouard savored, watching her club thrive in biggest moment of the season to date.
"It's not like they have to be motivated," Girouard added. "It was a big-time crowd (3,500 over two days) and a great atmosphere to play college softball. It's the reason you want to put on a uniform.
"I thought offensively we clicked, made some good defensive plays and what can you say about the pitching," Girouard added. "We wanted to make a statement and not leave any question. And the kids responded."
