LSU Softball Walks It Off in Thrilling Comeback to Even Series Against Florida — Geaux Tigers!

Baton Rouge, La. — On a night that electrified Tiger Park and reignited LSU’s SEC title hopes, the LSU Tigers softball team delivered one of the most dramatic wins of their season — a walk-off thriller over No. 10 Florida to even the weekend series in storybook fashion. Behind clutch hits, unwavering grit, and a roaring home crowd, the Tigers erased a late-inning deficit and stunned the Gators with a walk-off single in extra innings that sent purple and gold faithful into a frenzy.

The 6–5 victory in eight innings wasn’t just about tying the series. It was a statement — a declaration that this LSU squad, now 37–11 (13–7 SEC), is more than capable of contending with the nation’s best. And in true Baton Rouge fashion, the win came with heart, resilience, and a flair for the dramatic.

Early on, it seemed like the Tigers might once again fall victim to Florida’s power-hitting lineup. The Gators, who entered the series with a top-10 ranking and a fearsome offense, struck first in the top of the second with a solo home run off LSU starter Sydney Berzon. Florida added two more runs in the fourth inning on a two-out rally, stretching their lead to 3–0 and silencing the crowd — briefly.

But as has been the story all season, LSU didn’t go away.

In the bottom of the fourth, with two runners aboard and two outs, junior slugger Ciara Briggs ripped a double into the right-center gap, scoring both runners and giving the Tigers their first spark of the night. The crowd of nearly 3,000 erupted. That clutch hit opened the floodgates — at least momentarily.

LSU tied the game in the fifth when sophomore shortstop Taylor Pleasants drove in the equalizer with a line-drive single. The game was knotted at 3–3, and both teams settled into a tense, back-and-forth pitching duel that stretched into the late innings.

Berzon, who has anchored LSU’s rotation all season, showed her veteran poise in the circle. After a shaky start, she retired eight straight Florida hitters and struck out two in the sixth to hold the line. Her ability to limit damage and keep the Tigers within striking distance proved crucial.

In the top of the seventh, though, Florida flexed again. A two-out double followed by a bloop single gave the Gators a 4–3 edge heading into LSU’s final at-bat. The pressure was back on the Tigers.

Then came the heroics.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, LSU catcher Raeleen Gutierrez — who had struggled at the plate earlier in the game — launched a first-pitch fastball over the right-field wall. The solo shot sent Tiger Park into chaos and tied the game 4–4. Gutierrez, a fifth-year senior, was mobbed by teammates as the crowd erupted. Her emotional jog around the bases captured the spirit of the night.

“I just wanted to stay aggressive and give us a chance,” Gutierrez said afterward. “That moment — in this stadium, with these fans — I’ll never forget it.”

The game would head into extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, Florida once again took the lead, this time capitalizing on a throwing error and a wild pitch that led to a go-ahead run. The Gators led 5–4 and were three outs away from sealing the series.

But this LSU team thrives under pressure.

In the bottom of the eighth, sophomore outfielder Ali Newland led off with a walk. Pinch runner Savannah Stewart stole second base on the next pitch, sliding in safely and igniting the dugout. After a sacrifice bunt moved her to third, LSU had the tying run 60 feet away with one out.

Next up was Georgia Clark — a senior leader and one of the most consistent hitters on the team. With the count full, Clark lasered a single up the middle, scoring Stewart and tying the game once again, 5–5.

And then came the moment Tiger fans will replay for years.

With two outs and Clark on first, freshman utility player Maci Bergeron stepped into the batter’s box. Known for her power but not often called upon in late-game pressure, Bergeron delivered in unforgettable fashion. On a 2-2 pitch, she muscled a line drive into the left-center gap. Clark was off with the pitch and rounded second aggressively.

As the ball rolled to the wall, LSU’s third base coach waved Clark home. The throw from Florida’s left fielder was strong but off-line. Clark slid in headfirst, touching the plate as the crowd exploded. LSU had walked it off — 6–5, final.

Players stormed the field. Fans waved gold towels. Bergeron was mobbed at second base.

“That’s what you dream about as a kid,” Bergeron said postgame, beaming. “I wanted that moment. This team never gives up, and I just wanted to be the one to keep it going.”

For LSU head coach Beth Torina, now in her 13th season leading the Tigers, the win was more than just a notch in the win column.

“This group is just so resilient,” Torina said. “We’ve had our backs against the wall several times this season, and they continue to find a way. That’s the kind of team that can go far in the postseason. They’re growing every game, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Torina also praised the fans at Tiger Park, calling them “the best in the country.”

“They were our energy tonight,” she added. “They stayed loud, they stayed with us, and you could feel their belief every inning.”

The walk-off win couldn’t have come at a better time. With postseason play just weeks away, LSU is battling for position in the ultra-competitive SEC standings. The win brought the Tigers within striking distance of the top four, which would guarantee a double-bye in the SEC Tournament.

It also bolstered their NCAA Tournament résumé, which already includes wins over top-tier programs like Alabama, Oklahoma State, and now Florida.

With a strong finish, LSU could position itself for a potential NCAA regional host bid — and with the atmosphere on full display Friday night, few teams would want to visit Baton Rouge in May.

LSU’s depth continues to shine in big moments. Friday night saw contributions from up and down the lineup:

• Raeleen Gutierrez, whose game-tying home run gave LSU life, is batting .312 on the year and leads the team in two-out RBIs.
• Maci Bergeron, the freshman hero, has emerged as a key bench piece, showing power and poise beyond her years.
• Savannah Stewart, primarily a pinch runner, stole a crucial base and scored the tying run in the eighth.

“That’s what makes us dangerous,” said Gutierrez. “It’s not just one player. It’s everyone, 1 through 9, and even the ones coming off the bench.”

While the offense will get most of the headlines, the Tigers’ defense and pitching should not be overlooked. Berzon went the distance, throwing 8 full innings, allowing only three earned runs, and striking out five while walking none.

She made key pitches in big moments, including a game-saving strikeout with runners in scoring position in the sixth. Berzon, who’s been the team’s ace since early March, now boasts an ERA under 2.00.

“I just trust my defense and my catcher,” Berzon said. “I know if I hit my spots and stay composed, we can compete with anyone.”

With the series now even, Saturday’s rubber match has major implications. Both teams are fighting for SEC seeding, and for LSU, the momentum is squarely on their side.

Torina confirmed postgame that freshman pitcher Alea Johnson will get the start, giving Berzon a much-needed rest after her 129-pitch outing.

Florida, meanwhile, must regroup after losing a game in which they led three separate times.

“It’s going to be a battle,” Torina said. “But if we bring this same energy and fight — and this same crowd — we like our chances.”

Fans exiting Tiger Park were buzzing with excitement, many of them drenched in sweat from standing through the high-tension final innings.

“It’s why we come,” said longtime fan and LSU alum Lisa Bernard. “This team never quits. You could feel something special coming. I’ve been to a lot of games here, and that one is right at the top.”

Another fan, 11-year-old Ava Simmons, held a sign that read “Geaux Tigers!” and wore face paint smeared with tears of joy. Her dad joked that she lost her voice in the eighth.

“She kept yelling, ‘We’re gonna win this! Just wait!’” he said, laughing.

In a season defined by perseverance, Friday night’s walk-off win was the perfect embodiment of LSU Softball’s identity — resilient, confident, and relentless. It was more than just a thrilling victory over a top-10 opponent; it was a sign that this team is built for something bigger.

As postseason looms, the Tigers are heating up at just the right time. With their bats coming alive, a deep pitching staff, and one of the most loyal fanbases in college softball, LSU is positioning itself to make a serious run in May — and maybe even June.

“Keep doubting us,” Gutierrez said with a grin. “We’ll keep walking it off.”

Geaux Tigers.