For the second time this season, LSU softball hosted the Southeastern Louisiana Lions. This time, it came Friday night under the lights of the 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament, and this time, the Tigers (41-15) fell to the Lions (49-14), 4-3.
LSU raced out to an early lead, but a disastrous fourth inning got SLU to tie the score. From there, neither team managed to threaten until the seventh.
In the seventh, LSU managed two quick outs before SLU third baseman Maria Detillier was hit by a pitch. Just two pitches later, a single by Cydnee Schneider was all she needed to come around for the go-ahead run.
Now, the Tigers’ season is on the brink, with LSU forced into a do-or-die game in its own regional.
Lassiter gets bats going early
After struggling offensively last time out against Oklahoma, the Tigers offense started quick against the Lions. Much of that was due to center fielder Jalia Lassiter, playing in her first tournament game with LSU.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the second, Lassiter ripped a ball into the gap that eventually skipped over the wall for a ground-rule double and the game’s first two runs. This played a factor in the Tigers managing to chase Southeastern ace Macie LaRue from the circle one inning later.
Momentum shifts in fourth
After adding another run in the bottom of the third, LSU appeared to be in the drivers seat. However, SLU struck back.
The Lions tacked on one run on a double, then added another on an RBI groundout. Freshman Jayden Heavener nearly got out of the jam, but a wild pitch with two outs and a runner on third brought home the tying run.
Rematch leads to another thriller
These two teams met on the first weekend of the season. On a Sunday afternoon in early February, the Tigers erased a late deficit to walk SLU off. This time, the roles were reversed, with the Lions escaping an early hole before driving in the game-winning run in the seventh.
What’s next
LSU will play UConn on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in an elimination game.
#LSU #softball #upset #Southeastern #Louisiana #NCAA #Regional