LSU Fico's throws perfect game
Oxford's Rachele Fico tossed the third perfect game in program history as the No. 18 LSU softball team raced its way to a dominant 9-0 five-inning victory over Southeastern Louisiana Wednesday in-front of 1,011 fans at Tiger Park.

“Rachele was magnificent tonight,” head coach Yvette Girouard said. “She played great defense and certainly was the deciding factor in tonight’s game. Offensively, the speed factor wasn’t as noticeable tonight, but the power game sure did show up. We hit the ball hard, and the intensity was magnificent. It’s a team that really enjoys coming out here and playing softball. It was the first time we had worn this uniform combination [gold jerseys and purple pants], and we might have to do it again.”

Fico sat down all 15 batters she faced, seven via the strikeout. A ball didn’t leave the infield as the sophomore right-hander joined Tiffany Garcia [Grambling State, 02/15/06] along with a combined effort from Britni Sneed and Sarah Meadors [Tennessee, 03/18/01] as the only perfect gems in Tiger history.

Southeastern Louisiana’s (3-3) best opportunity for a hit came with one out during the fifth inning, but Fico snagged the line drive off the bat of Megan McCollum. Four pitches later, Fico mowed down Lauren Coniglio to secure her place in the LSU record book.

“Being in this atmosphere, surrounded by my teammates, it’s just a great day to be a Tiger,” Fico said. “I love it here. My teammates mean the world to me and it amazes me that I was able to accomplish something like that with my teammates behind me.”