Southeastern earns third-ever win against LSU, advances to Baton Rouge Regional Final

BATON ROUGE (WGNO) – Entering Saturday afternoon, Southeastern already accomplished something it had only done once before: defeat Louisiana State University. The Lions upset No. 10 LSU in the opening round of the Baton Rouge Regional, thanks to a 4-3 victory on Friday.

However, SLU lost its historic momentum in its winner’s bracket matchup against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers defeated the Lions 14-1 in five innings, and Southeastern suffered its first run-rule loss of the 2025 season.

The defeat setup a win-or-go home rematch against LSU Saturday night.

The Lions took advantage of the Tigers’ early errors. Southeastern scored four runs in the opening frame on zero hits: two-bases loaded walks, a groundout to second and a fielder’s choice allowed SLU to go up 4-1 at the end of the opening frame.

The softball game turned into a boxing match in the finale three innings though.

The Bayou Bengals tied the game in the fourth with two singles and a SLU wild pitch. Southeastern scored two runs in the fifth; LSU tied the game again with Jalia Lassiter’s two RBI double in the sixth.

Brilee Ford’s RBI single in the home half put SLU back on top, but Jadyn Laneaux’s one-run hit in the seventh continued the roller coaster affair.

However, Southeastern had one last punch in the bottom of the seventh. The Lions had bases juiced. Shelby Morris hit a chopper to the Tigers’ second baseman. Sierra Daniels relayed home to pick off the game-winning run, but Collen Kulivan beat the throw with a slide across home plate for the walk-off win.

Southeastern defeated LSU 8-7, earning its second-ever regional finals appearance and the third win against the Tigers in program history.

“I don’t care what seed we are and what regional we went to. We’re gonna go in there and create havoc. It doesn’t matter to me what regional we go to. They’re all good. Everybody does a great job putting on a regional. You want to end your season in the postseason: in the regional, in the super regional and world series. Once we knew we were doing that, this team plays fast and plays free. They’re very excited, and I hope everybody that bought a ticket this weekend has enjoyed watching the Lions play,” head coach Rick Fremin said.

Southeastern will face Nebraska and must win twice to claim the Baton Rouge regional.

First pitch is set for Sunday at 2 p.m.

Click the video above to hear from Lions’ head coach Rick Fremin on the win, and watch the video below to hear LSU head coach Beth Torina reflect on the loss.

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