LSU Softball is set to host the Baton Rouge Regional starting on May 17th and going through May 19th. The Tigers are hosting as the No.9 seed and beginning their journey to ending the 5-year Women's College World Series drought. Play will get underway on Friday at 2:30 pm CST when No.2 seed Cal Bears face off against No.3 seed Southern Illinois on ESPN+. No.1 seed (10) LSU will play No.4 seed Jackson State at 5 pm CST on SEC Network.
Weather Update:
Due to expected weather, Friday’s Baton Rouge Regional double header will be at 11 am and 1:30 pm. LSU will face Jackson State at 1:30 pm. on ESPN+.
NO.1 Seed LSU (10)
2024 Record 40-15, 12-12 SEC
Head Coach Beth Torina
Record vs. Top 25 Teams: 16-10
Notable Players to watch for the Tigers
LSU placed three on the All-SEC First Team with Pitcher Sydney Berzon, Centerfielder Ciara Briggs and Left Fielder Ali Newland. Utility pitcher Kelley Lynch garnered All-SEC Second Team honors while First baseman Raeleen Gutierrez earned a spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team and as did Ali Newland.
Pitcher Sydney Berzon and shortstop Taylor Pleasants earn spots on the 2024 SEC All-Tournament Team. Berzon ranks No. 4 in the SEC with 169 strikeouts in 187.1 innings behind a 1.64 ERA (No. 10 in the SEC). Pleasants struggled at the plate in SEC play but seems to be heating up at the right time. She hit for .375 in the tournament and led the team with two RBIs in the three games. Pleasants hit her third walk off hit of the season in the 14-inning game against Alabama, and plated the deciding run in the 2-1 upset against Tennessee
No.2 Seed Cal
2024 Record 36-17, 9-13 PAC-12
Head Coach Chelsea Spencer
Record vs. Top 25 Teams: 5-11
Notable Players to watch for the Bears
The bears had one player earn a spot on the All-Pac 12 First Team in Senior Infielder Tatum Anzaldo. They added one to the All-Pac 12 Second Team in Junior Acacia Anders. Anzaldo had a banner season and is hitting .408 on the year with 13 doubles, 22 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. Anders hit for .364 with 8 homers, 18 Doubles and 40 RBIs. All Pac 12 Third Team Pitcher Senior Haylei Archer has a 2.86 ERA in 122.1 IP with 96 strikeouts and 59 walks allowing opponents to hit .247.
No.3 seed Southern Illinois
2024 Record 42-9, 23-4 MVC Champs
Head Coach Jen Sewell
Record vs. Top 25 Teams: None Played
Notable Players to watch for the Salukis
Most Valuable Player: Jackie Lis, Southern Illinois
Most Valuable Pitcher: Maddia Groff, Southern Illinois
Freshman of the Year: Maddia Groff, Southern Illinois
Coaching Staff of the Year: Southern Illinois (Jen Sewell, Mary Jo Firnbach, Katie Griffith)
ALL MVC FIRST TEAM HONORS
SS Jackie Lis, Southern Illinois
OF Elizabeth Warwick, Southern Illinois
P Maddia Groff, Southern Illinois
Jackie Lis IS second in the MVC in batting with a .362 average with 48 runs scored which is a league-best and34 RBIs. Freshman Maddia Groff earned both the league's Most Valuable Pitcher and Freshman of the Year award. The Salukis have won nine-straight road games to end the season. The Salukis sport the fourth-best ERA in the nation (1.58).
No.4 Jackson State
2024 Record 33-17, 16-8 SWAC Champs
Head Coach Kevin Montgomery
Record vs. Top 25 Teams: None Played
Notable Players to watch for the Tigers
All SWAC Second Team
SS – Julie Lopez, Jackson State - .328 BA with 14 doubles, 4 triples and 45 RBIs
3B – Jace Jackson, Jackson State - .351 BA with 9 doubles,1 triples and 31 RBIs
In the circle the Tigers are led by Victoria Salazar who has pitched 172.2 innings with a 13-9 record with 1 save. She has 70 strikeouts with 40 walks and opponents are hitting .274 against her.
Schedule After Round 1
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