LSU softball narrowly defeats top-seeded Tennessee to progress in the SEC Tournament.

Following a six-hour rain delay, LSU softball took to the field with determination, immediately challenging the top-seeded Volunteers to secure their second victory in the SEC Tournament and advance to the semifinals.

Despite Tennessee’s status as defending champions, they managed just one run as the Tigers clinched a 2-1 win.

Ali Newland and Taylor Pleasants played pivotal roles in LSU’s offense, collectively contributing three hits and the only two RBIs of the game.

Starting pitcher Kelley Lynch continued her impressive form against Tennessee, replicating her stellar performance from the regular season where she pitched seven shutout innings. She maintained her dominance for another four innings before allowing a run, totaling 11 shutout innings against the Vols this season.

LSU took the lead in the first inning courtesy of Newland’s RBI single and maintained it throughout the game. The Tigers loaded the bases with two outs after drawing two consecutive walks, with Newland’s hit scoring a runner and leaving three stranded on base after a groundout from Maci Bergeron.

Tennessee threatened in the second inning, getting two runners on base, but a fly out left them stranded, preserving LSU’s 1-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Newland initiated with a double and advanced to third on a groundout before Tennessee made a pitching change. The Tigers managed to strand Newland at third despite the pitching change.

LSU extended their lead to 2-0 in the fifth inning as they loaded the bases once again, with Pleasants’ single to center field scoring a runner and doubling their advantage. Despite a strikeout ending the inning, LSU maintained control of the game.

Lynch encountered trouble for the first time in the game during the bottom of the fifth inning, allowing two singles that put runners on base before Sophia Nugent’s RBI single halved the deficit.

Following this, Lynch was substituted for Sydney Berzon, who ended the inning with a strikeout. Lynch’s pitching line for the game stood at five hits, one run, and three walks, with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched.

In the sixth inning, Pickens returned to the game in place of Gottshall. With a runner on second base and one out inherited, Pickens struck out two batters to conclude the inning.

Entering the seventh inning, LSU failed to increase their lead and entered the bottom of the frame needing three outs to progress to the semifinals. They managed to secure a flyout and a strikeout, putting the Volunteers on their last out.

Berzon allowed a single in the subsequent at-bat, extending the game and putting the tying run on base. However, a groundout followed, stranding the runner and concluding the game.

This victory marks LSU’s first appearance in the SEC semifinals since 2017.