LSU lost Thursday’s college softball game against Texas by a score of 7-3. Perhaps it was karma for a violent incident that has been widely criticized as dirty and classless.
However, there is an ongoing debate as to who was at fault.
In college softball, a collision between a baserunner and a fielder is governed by a specific set of rules designed to prevent unnecessary contact. And, in turn, minimize injury. The bottom line is this. A runner must make a legitimate attempt to reach the base. Contact must be minimal. The runner cannot try to dislodge the ball from the fielder.
With that being said, if the fielder is either blocking the base and/or base path with possession of the ball, a runner can make contact— if and only if she is making a legitimate attempt to reach the base.
Let’s now review the incident that took place in Austin on Thursday night.
Tigers slugger Maddox McKee knocked a gapper to right field and took off down the first base line. Upon arrival to the bag, she ran directly into Longhorns first baseman Joley Mitchell. It was a pretty big crash. Mitchell fell face down in the dirt.
A serious lack of class from LSU softball tonight. Someone could have been seriously hurt by Maddox McKee and you’ve got a first base coach laughing about the warning. Absolutely wild. Gonna be a spicy weekend in Austin I feel 🫣 pic.twitter.com/3fXp0rvyvy
— ncaasoftballstuff (@ncaasoftballstf) April 18, 2025
LSU received a warning upon further review for flagrant contact. McKee got to stay in the game with a slap on the wrist. Her first base coach chuckled at the warning from the umpiring crew.
There are two sides to this debate:
- McKee was trying to reach the base with her eyes on the outfield. She ran into Mitchell, who was obstructing the base path, while turning toward second.
- McKee intentionally obliterated Mitchell with vengeful intent.
Those who see it as the latter are using the following image to represent her purposeful collision:
I don’t know if that is a fair reflection of the truth. McKee focused on reaching base. Her face reflects concentration and strain. She was sprinting at full speed. She braced for impact.
Regardless of reality, it is going to be a spicy series this weekend. Texas and LSU have new beef!