Tigers go undefeated at Tiger Park to advance to the program’s 10th Super Regional
A perfect 3-0 weekend at Tiger Park resulted in the LSU softball team (43-15) advancing to its 10th Super Regional in program history and first since 2021.
LSU beat Southern Illinois Sunday 9-0 to win the Baton Rouge Regional. LSU won its opener against Jackson State 5-0, beat the Salukis 4-1 yesterday to advance to the regional’s championship game, and run-ruled Southern Illinois in five innings on Sunday.
Kelley Lynch pitched LSU’s 15th shutout of the 2024 season. Lynch struck out six and only allowed two SIU batters to reach base; Lynch gave up one hit and issued one walk. She improves her record to 9-2 on the season and at one point retired 14 consecutive SIU batters.
“I think Kelley Lynch was incredible today,” Beth Torina said. “I knew watching film that she was the best matchup against SIU. Luckily, Sydney Berzon is talented and matches up with anyone we play, but I knew Kelley would have a ton of success. I also think the brighter the lights shine, the better she is. She is built for these moments. The day she decided to join this team was a lucky day for our program.”
LSU tied a season-best with three homers in Sunday’s win. Shortstop Taylor Pleasants hit her 10th of the season and had a team-high three RBIs; second baseman Karli Petty was 2-2 with two RBIs and hit her fifth homer of 2024; and catcher Maci Bergeron went deep for the third time this season.
Sunday’s win was all LSU from the start. LSU struck early with a run in the first inning and put up five in the second. Both Petty and Bergeron would homer in the third to push LSU’s lead to the final 9-0 margin.
LSU’s Super Regional opponent is to be determined. The Tigers are paired with the No. 8 seed Stanford and over in Palo Alto, Cal State Fullerton just forced a winner-take-all game seven against the Cardinal. That game is set to begin at 7:10 CT tonight on ESPNU. If Stanford wins, the Tigers will head out west. If Cal State wins, the Tigers will try to punch its ticket to Oklahoma City at home in Tiger Park.