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The Louisiana softball team hosted instate rival LSU on Tuesday in midweek action. The Ragin’ Cajuns looked to avenge an earlier loss to the third-ranked Tigers at home.
Their upset bid was thwarted, in part, due to a call late in the action. Louisiana threatened to make a comeback attempt in the fifth inning. It was ended by an ump show.
LSU entered the matchup at 29-2 on the year. They’d already beaten the Ragin’ Cajuns 14-0 earlier this month. The home team, meanwhile, came in at 16-14. They’d hoped to salvage the season in the form of a rivalry win.
Louisiana jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the third frame. Slugger Emily Smith got her squad on the board with a three-run double. She’d later score to add to the advantage.
LSU stormed back with 11 straight runs, but they’d have to fend off one final threat from the Cajuns to secure victory. The Tigers allowed the first two runners to reach on a walk and a bunt single in the bottom of the fifth. Louisiana then welcomed Smith back to the dish.
As previously mentioned, Smith had already knocked in three of her team’s four runs. The cleanup hitter has accounted for half of her team’s homers this season. She entered the contest with seven dingers. Another would’ve cut LSU’s lead to four.
An ump show took that opportunity away. Emily Smith was wrung up on strikes after an appealed check swing.
Holy cow.
1. This is a HORRENDOUS call
2. How on earth does the THIRD BASE UMPIRE ring up a RIGHT HANDED BATTER? 😂🤡 pic.twitter.com/BcAL2gQOsA— Nick Domingue (@geauxnick) March 26, 2025
The call came from the third base umpire. Smith is a right-handed batter. The blue had no way of knowing if the bat crossed the plane. He was standing behind her!
It’s not quite clear why the home plate umpire went to third base for help. Maybe the crew was shorthanded. Maybe he believed it was the best angle with runners occupying first and second.
NCAA Softball rule states that if the defense asks a home plate umpire for help on a check swing, it should be granted. It was. With that being said, the third base ump made himself the main character despite not having a clear view of the play.
He could’ve easily ruled a check swing. Most everyone in attendance saw it that way. Instead, he took the bat out of Louisiana’s best hitter in a key situation.
LSU would get out of the inning unscathed. They won the game, 11-4. In the grand scheme of things, this play might not have mattered. We’ll never know!
We do know that Emily Smith was robbed of a chance to provide a clutch hit. The ump show was the cause.