No. 10 LSU Wins Series Finale in Six Innings Over No. 8 Florida: Statement Victory in SEC Play

April 28, 2025 — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The LSU Tigers made a loud statement on Monday evening, powering their way to a commanding six-inning, run-rule victory over the No. 8 Florida Gators. With this decisive win, No. 10 LSU not only clinched the pivotal SEC series but also reminded the rest of college softball that the Tigers are hitting their stride at the perfect time.

In a matchup between two of the SEC’s premier programs, LSU overwhelmed the Gators with a dynamic combination of explosive offense, elite pitching, and impeccable game management. The win—called after six innings due to the NCAA’s eight-run mercy rule—was the latest in a string of impressive performances for head coach Beth Torina’s squad.

Setting the Stage: SEC Heavyweights Clash

The LSU-Florida rivalry has always been one of intensity and postseason implications, with both programs often contending for the top spots in the Southeastern Conference. Coming into this game, Florida held a slight edge in the series after splitting the first two contests.

Both teams boasted top-10 rankings nationally, elite pitching rotations, and lineups packed with power and speed. For LSU, winning the rubber match in such dominant fashion wasn’t just about the series—it was about confidence, rankings, and momentum heading into May.

The Offense Explodes: A Six-Inning Masterclass

From the first pitch, LSU’s bats showed they came to make a statement. The Tigers scored early and often, putting pressure on Florida’s starter and quickly forcing the Gators into their bullpen.

Key Highlights:

• Ciara Briggs delivered a leadoff double to ignite the first-inning rally, setting the tone for what would become an offensive onslaught.
• Taylor Pleasants, LSU’s veteran shortstop and emotional leader, followed with a 2-run blast over the center-field wall in the bottom of the first, giving the Tigers a 2–0 lead and energizing the Tiger Park crowd.
• The Tigers continued to pile on runs in nearly every inning, punctuated by a bases-clearing triple from Ali Newland in the fourth that pushed the lead to 8–0.
• Savana Sikes and Kylie Deville added RBIs in the fifth and sixth, sealing the run-rule margin at 11–3.

By the end of the game, LSU had notched 13 hits, including five extra-base hits, and reached base in nearly every inning. Florida’s pitchers never found a rhythm, walking five batters and giving up multiple two-strike hits.

Star of the Day: Sydney Berzon Dominates

While LSU’s bats were certainly loud, Sydney Berzon was arguably even louder from the circle. The sophomore right-hander put on a masterclass in controlling tempo, locating pitches, and neutralizing one of the SEC’s best lineups.

Berzon threw a complete game, giving up just three runs (two earned) over six innings and striking out eight. She was particularly dominant early, retiring nine of the first ten batters she faced.

Her pitch mix was surgical—blending riseballs and changeups with pinpoint location on the corners. Florida batters struggled to square up the ball and never truly threatened until a brief rally in the sixth.

“Sydney gave us exactly what we needed,” said head coach Beth Torina postgame. “She attacked the zone, stayed composed, and let her defense work behind her.”

Berzon improved to 17–4 on the season and has now gone at least six innings in five straight SEC starts, underlining her role as the Tigers’ ace.

Defense Holds Strong

Behind Berzon, LSU’s defense was sharp and decisive. The infield turned two key double plays, while outfielders Briggs and Deville each made diving catches to rob Florida of extra bases.

Third baseman Danielle Hansen, a freshman, made a name for herself with two backhanded stabs on hard-hit grounders, each preventing potential rallies. Her presence on the hot corner has become an X-factor for a defense ranked among the best in the conference.

Coaching Excellence: Beth Torina’s Tactical Blueprint

Head coach Beth Torina, now in her 14th season at LSU, showed why she is considered one of the best minds in college softball. Her decision to start Berzon, despite a high pitch count over the weekend, paid off. She also shuffled the batting order slightly, moving Briggs to leadoff and Pleasants to the two-hole—a decision that led to instant offense.

Torina was also aggressive on the base paths, pushing for extra bases and forcing Florida to make difficult throws under pressure. LSU executed two double steals and advanced runners six times on sacrifice bunts or tag-ups.

“We came into this game wanting to be aggressive,” Torina said. “We knew what was at stake, and I’m proud of how locked in our team was from first pitch.”

Series Breakdown: What This Win Means

Game 1: Florida 5, LSU 4

The Gators walked off the Tigers in extra innings thanks to a throwing error and aggressive base running. LSU squandered several scoring opportunities but kept it close.

Game 2: LSU 6, Florida 3

A bounce-back performance behind strong pitching from freshman Alea Johnson and timely hitting from Sikes and Briggs.

Game 3: LSU 11, Florida 3 (6 innings)

The finale belonged entirely to LSU. A complete performance across all phases of the game.

Winning two out of three against the No. 8 Gators moves LSU to 16–5 in SEC play and 39–8 overall, with a strong chance of hosting both Regionals and Super Regionals in the NCAA Tournament.

National Rankings Impact

The win is expected to boost LSU in the next set of national rankings, likely pushing them into the top 7 with Florida sliding slightly.

It also improves LSU’s RPI (Ratings Percentage Index), a key metric used by the NCAA Selection Committee to determine national seeds. With their current resume—five ranked wins, a strong SEC record, and no bad losses—the Tigers are squarely in the conversation for a top-eight national seed.

Player Reactions

After the game, the players were jubilant but composed, aware of the bigger picture ahead.

“We knew what this game meant,” said senior shortstop Taylor Pleasants. “But we also know it’s just one step on the path we’re trying to walk. Our eyes are on Oklahoma City.”

Outfielder Ciara Briggs echoed the sentiment:

“We’re locked in. Every player has bought in. The energy, the chemistry—it’s special.”

Looking Ahead: Road to the SEC Tournament

With the Florida series in the rearview mirror, LSU turns its attention to the final stretch of the regular season. Upcoming series include matchups with Texas A&M and Ole Miss, both winnable but still dangerous SEC opponents.

The SEC Tournament looms in mid-May, and seeding will be critical. A top-two finish in the regular season would ensure a favorable draw and potentially avoid a semifinal matchup against juggernaut teams like Tennessee or Alabama.

Postseason Outlook: Eyes on OKC

LSU is a team built for postseason success:

• Elite pitching depth with Berzon, Johnson, and Kilponen
• Veteran leadership from players like Pleasants, Newland, and Briggs
• Dynamic offense averaging 6.3 runs per game in SEC play
• Top-5 team fielding percentage nationally

If the Tigers continue on this trajectory, they have all the tools to make a serious run to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City—a destination they haven’t reached since 2017.

A Defining Win

This six-inning rout of a top-10 opponent may go down as the signature win of the regular season for LSU. It was more than just a victory—it was a demonstration of balance, power, poise, and belief.

It showed that LSU can not only compete with the nation’s best—but dominate them.

As postseason play inches closer, one thing is clear: No one wants to face this LSU team right now.