Box Score

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Southeastern Louisiana University softball team closed out its first NCAA Tournament appearance with a 12-2 loss to No. 14 Alabama in the championship game of the NCAA Tuscaloosa Softball Regional Sunday afternoon at Rhodes Stadium.
 
Southeastern (47-15) fell short in its bid to be the first Southland Conference school to advance to the NCAA Softball Super Regionals. Alabama (36-17) will move on to face the winner of the Knoxville Regional in the Super Regionals next week.
 
SLU's loss Sunday caps a 2024 campaign that saw the Lady Lions win its first Southland Conference championship and be a part of the 64-team NCAA Tournament field for the first time. Southeastern had the most first team All-SLC performers and total All-SLC selections in program history, as well as tying the single-season school record for victories and setting numerous team marks - both hitting and pitching.
 
"This whole season has just been a blessing to experience," Southeastern head coach Rick Fremin commented. "We always knew this group could get to the postseason. Our coaches trusted our players and our players trusted our coaches, which made the difference. It was a great ride."
 
Southeastern jumped out to a 1-0 lead versus Alabama starter Jocelyn Briski (9-5) in the top of the first inning. Ka'Lyn Watson drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a wild pitch, was bunted over to third by Chloe Magee and scored on an RBI single through the right side by Maria Detillier to put the Lady Lions on top.
 
The Crimson Tide answered right back in the bottom of the first inning versus SLU starter Ellie DuBois (16-6). The first eight batters of the contest reached for Alabama, at the hosts opened the game with a nine-run frame to take a 9-1 lead.
 
The Lady Lions put a crooked number up for the second straight frame in the top of the second inning. Maddie Watson walked and Audrey Greely followed with a single to put the first two aboard. One out later, Cam Goodman singled home pinch runner Brilee Broussard to pull SLU within, 9-2.
 
Any hopes of a Southeastern comeback were dimmed in the bottom of the third inning. Kenleigh Calahan tripled home the first two runs of the frame, then scored on a two-out RBI single by Marlie Giles to put the Crimson Tide up, 12-2.
 
Southeastern would get no closer, as a Greely double would be the only hit for the Lady Lions over the final two innings.
 
Sunday's game was the final contest in a Southeastern uniform for the SLU senior class of DuBois, Greely, Goodman, Ka'Lyn Watson, Bailey Krolczyk, Lexi Johnson, Cera Blanchard, Mary-Cathyryn (MC) Comeaux, Sophia Stoddard and Sadie Hewitt.
 
"This senior class is irreplaceable," Fremin commented. "They are dynamic on and off the field."
 
2024 NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional | Rhoads Stadium | May 17-19, 2024 | Double-Elimination
 
Friday, May 17
Game 1 | Southeastern 6, Clemson 2
Game 2 | Alabama 1, USC Upstate 0
 
Saturday, May 18
Game 3 | Alabama 6, Southeastern 3 (9 Innings)
Game 4 | Clemson 8, USC Upstate 0 (6 Innings) (USC Upstate eliminated)
Game 5 | Southeastern 6, Clemson 2 (Clemson eliminated)
 
Sunday, May 19
Game 6 | Alabama 12, Southeastern 2 (Southeastern eliminated)
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Softball, follow @LionUpSoftball on X and Instagram, like /LionUpAthletics on Facebook.
 
HOME RUN CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the softball program are encouraged to join the Home Run Club. Lady Lion softball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Home Run Club and S Club (softball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern softball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit  . Southeastern offers mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.