LSU softball vs. Stanford in NCAA Super Regional: Scouting Report, Weekend Predictions
LSU softball is back in Super Regionals for the first time since 2021. The 9-seed Tigers (43-15) will head out west to take on the No. 8 Stanford Cardinal (46-14) this weekend.
Despite a middling 14-14 end to the regular season, LSU has returned to its early-season form of late, including a run to the SEC Tournament semifinals and a perfect run in the Baton Rouge Regional. Should they win two of three in the Stanford Super Regional, the Tigers will return to the Women's College World Series after a seven-year absence.
Here's everything you need to know about Stanford:
Fast Facts
Nickname: Cardinal
Conference: Pac-12
Head Coach: Jessica Allister (Seventh Season)
Super Regional Appearances: Eight (2005, '06, '08, '09, '11, '22, '23, '24)
WCWS Appearances: Three (2001, '04, '23)
This Season
Stanford established itself as a serious title contender this season, one year removed from the program's first Women's College World Series appearance in 19 years. The Cardinal breezed through Pac-12 play, finishing second in the conference's regular-season standings behind only UCLA. In the conference tournament, the Cardinal managed to defeat Cal in the first round but was upset by Utah in the semifinals.
In the NCAA Tournament, Stanford has shown vulnerability. While the Cardinal dispatched of Saint Mary's and Mississippi State in close wins, Stanford was upset by Cal State-Fullerton to force a winner-take-all game. While the Cardinal did pull out a win over the Titans, it did so by finishing the Stanford Regional with a negative run differential.
More LSU Sports: LSU baseball sets SEC Tournament history with two grand slams in single game, including one from Tommy White
Players to Watch
Stanford is led by pitcher NiJaree Canady, who established herself as one of the best pitchers in all of college softball. In addition to striking out 243 batters, the sophomore also led the nation with a 0.53 ERA and was named the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year, the first Pitcher of the Year in program history.
Super Regional Schedule: Get weekend schedule for LSU softball vs. Stanford in NCAA Super Regional here
Offensively, sophomore infielder Emily Jones broke out in 2024. Jones raised her batting average by 97 points this year while starting all 60 games, walking as often as she struck out, and stealing 15 bases on her way to First-Team All-Conference honors.
Predictions
LSU will stay competitive in the series and will win a game, but will fall short of the WCWS as Stanford takes two games to advance to Oklahoma City.
This article originally appeared on The Courier: LSU softball vs. Stanford in Super Regional: Scouting Report, Predictions
