The LSU Tigers softball team was upset by the Southeastern Louisiana Lions 4-3 on Friday afternoon in Tiger Park. The loss moves the Tigers into the loser’s bracket of the Baton Rouge Regional.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
LSU (41-15) started with Jayden Heavener in the circle. Heavener worked around a leadoff walk to post an opening zero in the top half of the first inning.
Southeastern (49-14) countered with Macie LaRue. LaRue gave up two baserunners but also danced out of danger. The first inning was completed with a 0-0 tie still in tact.
The Tigers drew first blood, scoring a pair of runs in the second. Jalia Lassiter came through with a 2-run ground-rule double to open the scoring and make it 2-0.
LSU would add on in the third as well. Jadyn Laneaux contributed an RBI single to make it 3-0. That also prompted the Lions to make a pitching change, with Lainee Bailey taking over.
Southeastern would cut into the lead in the fourth, stringing together multiple hits. An RBI double for Maddie Watson got things going. Then, a fielder’s choice provided a second run. A wild pitch provided the third run of the inning, tying the game. That made it 3-3 at the halfway point.
The game remained scoreless until the seventh and final frame. In that inning, Southeastern got a baserunner on with two outs. Then, Cydnee Schneider delivered a go-ahead RBI single to make it 4-3 in favor of the Lions.
In the bottom of the seventh, LSU got the leadoff runner on via a walk. A second runner would reach via the walk. However, two great defensive plays secured the victory for the Lions, holding on 4-3.
BIG NUMBER: 4
Southeastern had just four hits. However, they converted those hits into four runs. Those were enough to pull off the upset.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Lainee Bailey
Bailey came into a jam and delivered. She worked four and two-thirds scoreless innings, allowing Southeastern to make their comeback.
UP NEXT: LSU will face UConn in an elimination game tomorrow, May 17th, at 2:30 PM inside Tiger Park.
