LSU-Hawai`i Box Score
Post-Game Quotes
AUSTIN, TX - The No. 12 ranked LSU Tigers knocked off Hawai`i this morning in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament at McCombs Field on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin by a score of 9-4, hitting five homers in the process.

Melissa Coogan (29-10), who got the starting nod for the Rainbow Wahine, no-hit the Tigers through 2.1 innings until shortstop Blair Smith launched the first pitch she saw in the bottom of the third inning deep over the left field fence to give LSU a 1-0 lead.

Then in the fourth inning, Coogan gave up a leadoff infield single to third base by Sara Fitzgerald. Christy Connor then popped up to second baseman Noelle Izumi in shallow right centerfield before Alicia Owen sent one over the left field fence, a two-run shot. Following a double by Tessa Lyman and a walk to Leigh Ann Danos, Smith hit a three-run blast to left -- her second of the game -- to give LSU a 6-0 lead and send Coogan to the showers. That would be more than enough runs for Tiger pitcher Kristin Schmidt (34-13) who went the distance allowing nine hits, while striking out six and walking one.

Coogan lasted only 3.2 innings allowing five hits, six runs, and walked one batter. Shannon Tabion came out of the bullpen and went the final 2.1 innings allowing two hits -- both homers -- while walking two.

Hawai`i tried to mount a rally in the fifth when eight batters came to the plate scoring four times. The inning began with three consecutive singles by Marie Jackson, Izumi, and pinch-hitter Stacey Ritter to load the bases. After Justina Kahaku re-entered the game to run for Ritter, Tracie Uchima popped up for the first out before Denise Dahlberg drove in a pair with a single to left. April Crowell fouled out to the catcher, and the hot-hitting Stacey Porter doubled home both Kahaku and Dahlberg, to cut the LSU lead to 6-4.

LSU would added another run in the bottom of the fifth on Owen's solo shot to left, her second of the game.

In the sixth, LSU capped the scoring when Jennie Reeves drew a one-out walk and Megann Steege hit a 2-run blast down the left field line for the final outcome propelling LSU into the winner's bracket facing Texas tomorrow.

All nine runs put up by LSU came on homers. The Tigers managed seven hits in the game, including the five four-baggers.

Hawai`i (37-19) now faces Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 3 p.m. HST today.