After wrapping up the regular season as the 10th ranked team in the Country, LSU kicked off its run to the College World Series on Friday Night as the Tigers hosted the Southeastern Louisiana Lions. While LSU won their regular season matchup against the Lions, LSU fans knew based on how the Lions played in their first matchup that the Tigers could be on upset watch.
The LSU Softball team jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning as the Tigers flooded the basepaths. 3 consecutive singles loaded the bases for the Tigers and Jalia Lassiter put the Tigers on the board blasting a 2 run ground rule double to Left Center.
🔻2 | Ground-Rule Double for Jalia brings home ✌️
— LSU Softball (@LSUsoftball) May 16, 2025
📺SECN | @JaliaLassiter pic.twitter.com/z4sElDNpXS
In the 3rd inning the LSU Softball team extended their lead to 3 as an RBI Single to right field by Jadyn Laneaux allowed McKenzie Redouty to score.
In the top of the 4th inning, Southeastern Louisiana offense started to get to Jayden Heavener. A walk allowed by Heavener allowed the Lions to make it 3-1 on a double to left center. An error then allowed the Lions to drive in a run on a ground ball back to Heavener. A wild pitch then allowed the Lions to tie the game in an inning where the Tigers mistakes let the Lions back in the game.
Both pitching staffs then locked in keeping this game tied at 3-3 until the Top of the 7th inning. Heavener hit a batter with two outs which came back to haunt the Tigers when Schneider singled to the gap in right allowing a run to score from 1st base putting LSU down 4-3 leaving the Tigers with just 3 chances to tie or win the game.
Jalia Lassiter started the 7th inning off strong, drawing a leadoff walk, putting the tying run on for the Tigers. Maci Bergeron came a few feet away from walking this game off, just missing the foul pole in Left, flying out one pitch later. Tori Edwards put the game-winning run on first place, passing the baton to McKenzie Redoutey, but she flew out on a game-saving catch to bring the Tigers down to their last out. Sierra Daniel roped one right to the 3rd baseman but, it was caught to end the game stunning LSU.
The Tigers path out of this regional is now brutal as the Tigers face off against UConn on Saturday with the loser going home. LSU has a long way to go if they're going to turn it around but, losing this game is a massive disappointment for a program that was looking to make it back to the College World Series for the first time since 2017.