Top seed Tennessee's repeat hopes dashed by No. 8 LSU's 2-1 win in SEC pitchers duel
Published: May 10, 2024, 7:55 a.m.
Tennessee softball isn't repeating its historic SEC title sweep.
The top-seeded Lady Vols, who won the SEC regular-season championship for the second straight year, was upset in the conference tournament quarterfinals Thursday by No. 8 seed LSU at Jane B. Moore Field in Auburn, Alabama.
The Tigers (40-14) won the pitchers' duel 2-1 against Tennessee (40-10), which has one of the best pitching staffs in the country.
LSU players celebrate after beating Tennessee in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU outfielder McKenzie Redoutey (4) scores a run against Tennessee in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee catcher Sophia Nugent (7) talks with pitcher Payton Gottshall (33) during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee starting pitcher/relief pitcher Payton Gottshall (33) throws a pitch against LSU during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU starting pitcher/relief pitcher Kelley Lynch (37) throws a pitch against Tennessee during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee infielder Laura Mealer (2) turns a double play as LSU outfielder Ciara Briggs (88) slides during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU starting pitcher/relief pitcher Kelley Lynch (37) against Tennessee during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee starting pitcher/relief pitcher Karlyn Pickens (23) against the LSU Tigers during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU players celebrate after beating Tennessee in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU players celebrate after beating Tennessee in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU players celebrate after beating Tennessee in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee Volunteer infielder McKenna Gibson (24) waits for a pitch from the LSU Tigersin the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU utility Raeleen Gutierrez (55) tosses the ball back to the pitcher after making a catch for an out against the Tennessee Volunteers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee utility Giulia Koutsoyanopulos (27) waits for a pitch by the LSU Tigers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU starting pitcher/relief pitcher Sydney Berzon (29) against Tennessee in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU starting pitcher/relief pitcher Sydney Berzon (29) against Tennessee in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU Tigers coach Beth Torina looks for clarification from the umpire during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee infielder Laura Mealer (2) throws to first base against LSU in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU catcher Maci Bergeron (12) at bat against Tennessee in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee utility Amanda Ahlin (88) scores a run against LSU in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.A LSU Tigers cheers for his team during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.A LSU Tigers fan cheers for his team during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU outfielder McKenzie Redoutey (4) celebrates with outfielder Ali Newland (44) after scoring a run against Tennessee in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU Tigers outfielder McKenzie Redoutey (4) celebrates after scoring a run against the Tennessee Volunteers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU outfielder McKenzie Redoutey (4) comes in to score against Tennessee in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee infielder Laura Mealer (2) gets the force out on LSU outfielder Ciara Briggs (88) and throws to first in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee catcher Sophia Nugent (7) during the game against LSU in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee outfielder Alannah Leach (10) waits on a LSU pitch during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee infielder Taylor Pannell (3) takes a lead off of first base against LSU during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU infielder Karli Petty (14) tosses the ball back to the pitcher after catching a Tennessee hit for an out during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU head coach Beth Torina talks with a game official during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU infielder Karli Petty (14) waits on a Tennessee pitch during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU infielder Karli Petty (14) at bat against the Tennessee Volunteers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee Volunteers infielder Laura Mealer (2) tosses the ball to infielder Destiny Rodriguez (34) for an out against the LSU Tigers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee starting pitcher/relief pitcher Payton Gottshall (33) throws a pitch against LSU during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee infielder Destiny Rodriguez (34) pitches the ball to first base for the out against LSU during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU outfielder Ali Newland (44) looks to her third base coach for a sign against the Tennessee Volunteers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU outfielder Ali Newland (44) swings at a pitch against Tennessee during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU starting pitcher/relief pitcher Kelley Lynch (37) throws a pitch against Tennessee during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU infielder Taylor Pleasants (17) at bat against the Tennessee Volunteers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee utility Giulia Koutsoyanopulos (27) reacts after getting the out on LSU utility Raeleen Gutierrez (55) during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee utility Giulia Koutsoyanopulos (27) gets the out on LSU utility Raeleen Gutierrez (55) during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee utility Giulia Koutsoyanopulos (27) waits on the ball and would get the out on LSU utility Raeleen Gutierrez (55) during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU outfielder McKenzie Redoutey (4) checks her swing against Tennessee during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU outfielder McKenzie Redoutey (4) gets ready to bat against Tennessee during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU outfielder Ciara Briggs (88) gets ready to bat against Tennessee during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee Volunteers infielder Laura Mealer (2) tosses the ball to infielder Destiny Rodriguez (34) for an out against the LSU Tigers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee Volunteers infielder McKenna Gibson (24) gets a high five from her coach after reaching first base against the LSU Tigers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.LSU outfielder McKenzie Redoutey (4) dives back to third base and beats the tag of Tennessee infielder McKenna Gibson (24) during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee infielder Laura Mealer (2) turns a double play as LSU outfielder Ciara Briggs (88) slides during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.Tennessee infielder Laura Mealer (2) turns a double play as LSU outfielder Ciara Briggs (88) slides during the quarterfinals of the SEC Softball Championship at Jane B. Moore Field.
