On Selection Sunday, the LSU Softball team found out their postseason fate, being selected as the 10th overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, meaning they'll host a regional but will need help if they're going to host a super regional. The seeding was both shocking and disappointing for LSU Softball and the fanbase, as the Tigers were ranked 5th in RPI yet, we were ranked 5 spots lower at 10th.
As LSU Softball didn't get ranked as high as they likely should have, the draw in Regionals gets much tougher than if they were a Top 8 seed, which should have LSU fans equally mad. The Tigers will host Nebraska, UConn, and Southeastern Louisiana, which is not an easy task.
LSU's first game comes against Southeastern Louisiana on Friday Night which will be massive for the Tigers if they're going to survive regionals. LSU faced Southeastern earlier in the season and the Lady Lions led 2-0 into the 6th inning before LSU mounted a comeback to win 3-2. This season, Southeastern won 48 games which makes them arguably one of the best 4 seeds in the entire tournament.
Nebraska will pose the toughest test for LSU if the Tigers can face off against the Huskers especially as they may need to win twice. The Huskers went 39-13 this season and dominated in the Big 10 with a 17-5 record. If LSU faces Nebraska they'll need to get to Jordy Bahl who posted a 1.57 ERA this season while batting .458 with 19 home runs taking home Big 10 Pitcher and Player of the Year.
The UConn Huskies are the hottest team coming into the regional round as they just went on a run to win the Big East Championship. The Huskies don't have the best resume but, starting pitcher Payton Kinney has the ability to shut any of the offenses in this region down.
The LSU Softball team did advance to Super Regionals last season as the 10th-ranked team, which gives Beth Torina a blueprint to going on a run this Summer. The Tigers' offense is going to need to step up in this regional especially if they face Jordy Bahl as it will determine if the Tigers are going to survive the Baton Rouge Regional. In the end, LSU needs to overcome a 4th seed, which should be a 3rd seed, arguably the best player in the Country, and a UConn team that just won its conference.