Lauren Haeger was probably waiting for another chance to face the LSU Tigers.
On March 15, Haeger allowed the go-ahead home run in relief to Bianka Bell in what ended up being a 10-3 win for the Tigers the last time the two teams met.
Haeger got her chance to face LSU again on Friday and she made the most of it as she tossed a complete game shutout and hit a home run as the Gators (57-6) beat LSU (51-13) 4-0.
Florida is now one win away from the championship series of the Women’s College World Series.
Haeger is now 6-0 in the NCAA Tournament with six complete games and just two runs surrendered in 42 innings. She’s now 30-1 on the season.
“I was hitting my spots really well, pitching in and jamming them up a few times,” Haeger said.
The Peoria, Arizona, native helped her own cause in the circle by hitting a two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning to put UF on top 2-0. With the home run, Haeger became the first player in NCAA softball history to hit 70 home runs and win 70 games in the circle in a career.
Her home run came one at-bat after LSU pitcher Carley Hoover jammed her in the third inning, resulting in a pop out.
“I made a little adjustment with my bat, a little with my feet just expecting it in,” Haeger said. “She hadn’t gone outside to me the whole time so I'm just happy I got my hands extended in time.”
Both teams had a prime opportunity to strike right out of the gate. The Gators loaded the bases with one out in the top of the first inning after Kelsey Stewart hit a leadoff triple to start the game, followed by both Haeger and Kirsti Merritt reaching base.
But Hoover was able to come out of the inning unscathed after getting Taylore Fuller to pop out and striking out Bailey Castro.
In the bottom of the first, LSU loaded up the bases with no outs after three consecutive hits to begin the frame. But just like in the top half of the inning, the Tigers came away empty handed as Haeger was also able to get out of the jam.
It was the only time in the game LSU threatened to score off the USA National Softball Player of the Year. Haeger retired 19 of the last 21 batters she faced.
Nicole DeWitt added to Florida’s lead in the sixth inning when she hit a solo home run to put UF up 3-0.
Merritt scored the final run of the game in the sixth by stealing third base and coming home after a wild throw from LSU catcher Kellsi Kloss, her second error of the game.
Florida has now won 13 straight postseason games, which is two away from tying the all-time record.
“We know how to fight, we know how to put pressure on good hitting teams,” Haeger said. “I think it just shows that we’re all-around, we can do a lot of things. Short game, long game everything.”
A television broadcast contributed to this report.
Follow Luis Torres on Twitter @LFTorresIII
UF's Lauren Haeger pitches during Florida's 5-0 win against Florida State on April 22, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
