No. 20 LSU defeated No. 5 Oklahoma by a score of 3-1 on March 28, handing the Sooners their first loss in Southeastern Conference play this season and snapping their 22-game winning streak.
The win is significant for LSU, as it marks the Tigers’ first victory over Oklahoma since 2015 and evens the series between the teams. LSU now holds a record of 23-11 overall and is 4-7 in SEC play, while Oklahoma falls to 33-3 and stands at 7-1 in conference games.
Jayden Heavener was instrumental for LSU, pitching her tenth complete game of the season. She allowed only two hits, issued two walks, struck out four batters, and did not give up an earned run. Head Coach Beth Torina said, “Jayden Heavener gave us a great game today,” adding that she believed Oklahoma had not faced a pitcher like Heavener this season. “I thought she was great and executed the plan beautifully. She just did an awesome job being herself,” Torina said.
Kylee Edwards contributed offensively with two hits in three at-bats, driving in two runs and scoring once herself. Her home run extended LSU’s lead to three runs after four innings played. Alix Franklin added another hit along with her second RBI of the series and scored once; Jalia Lassiter also recorded a hit and scored a run for LSU.
Coach Torina credited her team’s aggressive approach: “We have to continue to be aggressive and set the tone early,” she said. “They [Oklahoma] don’t play from behind very often… Having a lead allowed our pitchers to be a little more aggressive.” The Tigers’ defense held Oklahoma’s offense—one of the top-ranked lineups nationally—to just two hits during this game.
Oklahoma’s Allyssa Parker suffered her first loss of the year after allowing three runs over three innings pitched; Sydney Berzon finished out the final three innings for OU without surrendering further runs but could not overcome LSU’s early advantage.
The series will conclude Sunday morning at Tiger Park with coverage scheduled on ESPN.
