LSU beats Louisiana softball to advance to Baton Rouge regional championship

BATON ROUGE — Louisiana softball was a bang-bang play at the plate from taking an early lead in the second inning.

After a quick review, umps upheld an out call of Ragin' Cajun star senior Karly Heath tagged out at home by Ali Newland off a grounder to second from Maddie Hayden.

That result spurned a run from the homestanding, overall No. 10 seed Tigers (42-15), led off by a solo homer from McKenzie Redoutey in the bottom of the second. Next inning, they extended their lead behind Newland's two-run double and an RBI from Ciara Briggs as LSU downed rival UL, 4-0, in the winners bracket game of the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional on Saturday afternoon.

Mistakes didn't stop there for UL (47-14), which was shut out for the first time this season. A baserunning blunder in the sixth with Stormy Kotzelnick being tagged out between home and third in a rundown.

UL IN BATON ROUGE REGIONALLouisiana softball blanks Omaha in opening game at Baton Rouge NCAA Regional

Louisiana softball coach Gerry Glasco shifted plan after Karly Heath thrown out at home

There's no question if Heath scored the complexion of the game would've been different. But it was LSU that grabbed the momentum while Glasco to make several adjustments that he wouldn't have made.

When he pulled sophomore pitcher Sam Landry, who went 2⅓ innings after allowing four runs off five hits, he went to freshman Chloe Riassetto against LSU's stout lineup.

Glasco searched for offense, inserting Laney Credeur, Jourdyn Campbell in the lineup but LSU's Sydney Berzon did enough to shut down the Cajuns for five hits.

LSU Tigers get production from top to bottom of lineup

Redoutey only has six homers on the season, so hers was a bit of a surprise. But LSU was able to get to Landry, who had been pitching well entering the game, from all levels of the order.

Obviously the stars at the top set the table, Danieca Coffey went 3-for-3, Ciara Briggs had an RBI and junior Taylor Pleasants scored a run, but deeper in the lineup Newland had a two-run single as well.

What's next for LSU softball, Ragin' Cajuns at Baton Rouge regional

LSU advances to the Baton Rouge Regional championship series Sunday (1 p.m., ESPN+).

The loss drops UL to the loser's bracket and it'll be forced to play again Saturday, facing the winner of Omaha-Prairie View A&M for a spot in the regional title series.

Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.