LSU softball upsets Tennessee in SEC Tournament, will play first semifinal in seven years
For the first time in seven years, LSU softball is going to the SEC Tournament semifinals.
The Tigers waited out the weather to upset the Tennessee Volunteers 2-1 on Thursday.
The morning game was moved to the evening, and another pitcher's duel commenced. Despite a run in the top of the first, LSU (40-14) couldn't score for another four innings and when the Tigers did, they only scored one run. Still, that was enough, as the only Volunteers' (40-10) run came in the bottom of the fifth.
In doing so, LSU clinched a spot in the semifinals for the first time since facing Auburn in 2017.
Weather arrives
LSU and Tennessee were scheduled for a 10 a.m. first pitch on Thursday, which represented a quick turnaround after Wednesday's record-setting 14-inning opener. Having to play 21 innings in 24 hours is a tall task for any team, one that becomes much more difficult when facing a team like the Volunteers that already came in with a first-round bye. But about half an hour prior to the scheduled first pitch, the skies opened.
Inclement weather delayed the start of the game by seven hours, giving the Tigers much-needed rest.
Ace chased early
Karlyn Pickens was given the start for Tennessee, and she had dominated in two games against LSU this season: allowing one run in 13⅔ innings and striking out 12 batters. On Thursday, though, the Tigers rattled her. LSU batters drew three walks in the first inning, then a single from Ali Newland drove in the first run. Pickens settled down in the second and third, but another Newland base hit — this time a double off the wall — forced the Volunteers to pull the potential SEC Pitcher of the Year.
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She returned in the fifth, but by then, the offense had already extended the lead.
Berzon back in
Despite pitching a complete game in Wednesday's 14-inning opener and throwing more than 200 pitches against Alabama, Sydney Berzon was available out of the bullpen on Thursday. And when starter Kelley Lynch got into a jam with two runners on and two outs in the bottom of the fifth, it was Berzon who got the call for the second time in as many days.
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In relief, Berzon through 2⅓ innings of shutout ball.
What's next
LSU will play the winner of Arkansas and Missouri on Friday afternoon.
This article originally appeared on The Courier: LSU softball upsets Tennessee, will play first SEC semifinal since 2017
