For a program steeped in tradition and postseason pedigree, the opening game of the 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament was expected to be a celebration—a launching pad toward a deep postseason run. Instead, LSU Softball fans were left stunned as the Tigers suffered a shocking 4-3 defeat at the hands of Horizon League champion Youngstown State in the Baton Rouge Regional.
Before the game, the No. 10 national seed LSU Tigers were favored to advance comfortably, with their dominant SEC play and a battle-tested roster fueling confidence. But the Penguins of Youngstown State had other plans. Led by a fearless freshman pitcher and a timely offensive surge, the underdog visitors silenced the purple-and-gold faithful at Tiger Park, delivering a reality check and sending the hosts to the brink of elimination on Day 1.
The Matchup No One Expected to Tilt
LSU entered the 2025 NCAA Tournament with high hopes. Head coach Beth Torina’s squad wrapped up the regular season with a 42-14 record, including signature wins over Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. With a powerful offense anchored by veteran sluggers and a pitching staff that had found its stride in late April, the Tigers were viewed as a potential Women’s College World Series contender.
By contrast, Youngstown State arrived as an automatic qualifier, having won the Horizon League Tournament with a surprise run as a third seed. Few analysts gave them a chance against LSU’s firepower, especially in the hostile environment of Baton Rouge. But head coach Brian Campbell’s team came in loose, motivated, and hungry—traits that often define Cinderella stories in the postseason.
From the outset, it was clear that this game wouldn’t follow the script.
A Dream Start for the Penguins
The first inning saw Youngstown State capitalize on LSU’s nerves and defensive miscues. With two outs and runners on the corners, Penguins outfielder Marley Scialabba drove a liner into left field, scoring the game’s first run. LSU starter Raelin Chaffin, who had been nearly untouchable in her final two SEC starts, struggled with her command early, walking two and hitting a batter in the opening frame.
The crowd, typically thunderous in the early innings, grew uncharacteristically quiet.
In the top of the third, the Penguins struck again. A two-run double by sophomore first baseman Hannah Wenz added to their lead, pushing it to 3-0. Youngstown State’s bench erupted, sensing a seismic upset brewing. The Tigers, meanwhile, looked shell-shocked.
LSU’s Late Rally Falls Short
To their credit, the Tigers didn’t go quietly. In the bottom of the fourth, LSU finally got on the board with a solo shot from first baseman Georgia Clark—her 17th homer of the year. The home run sparked some life into the dugout and fans alike.
In the bottom of the sixth, LSU loaded the bases with one out, and sophomore infielder Maci Bergeron delivered a clutch two-run single to tie the game 3-3. The momentum, at last, seemed to swing in LSU’s favor.
But Youngstown State refused to yield. In the top of the seventh, a bloop single followed by a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch set the stage for the go-ahead run. Junior catcher Maddie Angelo hit a sharp grounder that was mishandled by LSU’s second baseman, allowing the decisive run to score.
LSU had one final chance in the bottom of the seventh, but Penguins freshman pitcher Kylie McAdams worked a clean frame, retiring the Tigers in order—including a game-ending strikeout of All-SEC outfielder Ali Newland.
The upset was sealed.
Postgame Reactions: Shock and Accountability
In the postgame press conference, Coach Torina didn’t mince words.
“We got outplayed, plain and simple,” she said. “We were too tight early and made uncharacteristic mistakes. You can’t do that in the NCAA Tournament, especially against a team that’s playing with nothing to lose.”
Senior leaders echoed the sentiment. Georgia Clark, clearly emotional, spoke about the need to regroup quickly.
“This hurts. But the tournament’s not over. We’re not going to let this define us—we’re going to fight our way back.”
Meanwhile, Youngstown State’s Coach Campbell praised his team’s resilience.
“We talked about belief all week. No one outside our circle believed we could do this. But our girls did. I’m incredibly proud of how they played today.”
Breaking Down the Numbers
Statistically, LSU out-hit Youngstown State 9-6 but left eight runners stranded—a critical difference. They committed two errors, both leading to runs. Meanwhile, the Penguins played clean defense and capitalized on every opportunity.
Key Stats:
- LSU: 9 hits, 2 errors, 8 runners left on base
- Youngstown State: 6 hits, 0 errors, 4 runners left on base
- Winning Pitcher: Kylie McAdams (7 IP, 3 ER, 7 K)
- Losing Pitcher: Raelin Chaffin (6.2 IP, 4 R, 2 ER, 4 BB)
McAdams was the star of the game. The freshman pitcher entered the contest with a 3.84 ERA but seemed unfazed by the moment. She mixed her off-speed pitches effectively and kept LSU hitters off balance, especially in pressure situations.
What’s Next for the Tigers?
The loss sends LSU into the loser’s bracket of the double-elimination regional, where they now face elimination in every game. Up next, the Tigers must win an elimination game against the winner of the regional’s 3 vs. 4 seed matchup—likely a matchup against a scrappy in-state foe like McNeese State or a Big Ten at-large team such as Illinois.
If LSU can survive that, they’ll need to defeat Youngstown State twice to advance to the Super Regional round.
It’s a daunting path—one that no one in Baton Rouge anticipated when the bracket was announced.
The good news for LSU is that they’ve shown the ability to bounce back from adversity before. Earlier this season, the Tigers dropped back-to-back games to Ole Miss but responded by winning six straight, including a sweep of Texas A&M. Now, with their backs against the wall, they’ll need every ounce of that fight to stay alive.
A Wake-Up Call or the Beginning of the End?
The NCAA Tournament is known for its unpredictability. Just last year, regional hosts UCLA and Clemson suffered similar opening-round defeats and failed to recover. But LSU is no stranger to postseason adversity. Under Beth Torina, the program has reached the Women’s College World Series four times, and her teams are known for their grit and determination.
Still, this loss stings in a way few others have in recent memory. Not only because of the opponent’s perceived status, but because of how the Tigers played: hesitant, mistake-prone, and lacking their usual edge.
There’s no more room for error. Every pitch, every at-bat, every inning now carries the weight of a season teetering on the brink.
The Bigger Picture: Pressure of Expectations
This stunning result also raises questions about the mounting pressure on LSU’s program. With top-tier recruiting classes, state-of-the-art facilities, and SEC prestige, expectations for postseason success are higher than ever. While Torina has consistently fielded competitive teams, the Tigers haven’t reached the WCWS since 2017. Each early exit only adds to the scrutiny.
Fans and media alike will be watching closely to see how the team responds—not just for this season, but for what it signals about the program’s trajectory.
For now, though, all focus is on survival. LSU can’t afford to look ahead. One more loss, and the season ends far earlier than anyone imagined.
Final Thoughts
The beauty and brutality of the NCAA Softball Tournament lie in moments like this—where giants fall and underdogs rise. For LSU, Friday’s shocking loss to Youngstown State is a harsh reminder that nothing is guaranteed in the postseason, no matter how impressive the resume.
The Tigers still have the talent and leadership to make a run. But after Friday’s upset, their margin for error is gone. If they hope to avoid an unceremonious exit, they’ll need to rediscover their identity, tighten their defense, and bring the fire that has defined LSU Softball for decades.
The next few days in Baton Rouge will define not just a season—but potentially the legacy of a team expected to do so much more.