Softball: Controversy clouds latest UL-LSU showdown

Kevin Foote, The Advertiser, May 20, 2018

BATON ROUGE – It was UL vs. LSU.

So of course there’s got to be controversy.

The truth is the bitterness between the two softball programs has died down greatly over the years. It’s much more of a civil rivalry now.

More: Glasco discusses UL bats rebounding

But there was the phantom home run for LSU in last year’s softball regional. Then the postgame press conference for the ages by LSU men’s basketball coach when the Tigers beat the Cajuns in the NIT opener.

Then there was Sunday afternoon at Tiger Park.

With the No. 21-ranked UL Ragin’ Cajuns on the verge of potentially pulling off a Sunday sweep like LSU did to the Cajuns last season, controversy struck again.

UL had overcome a 4-0 deficit in game one to beat No. 11-ranked LSU 5-4 in 10 innings to force the if-necessary game.

With one out and Shemiah Sanchez on first of a 1-1 game in the bottom of the sixth inning, Michaela Schlattman doubled to rightcenter.

UL second baseman Casidy Chaumont made a strong throw to the plate. The Cajuns thought Sanchez was tagged out by junior catcher Lexie Comeaux.

The umpire disagreed.

The run counted to put the Tigers up for good in a 3-1 victory over UL to advance to the Super Regionals against Florida State.

“I thought we battled so hard and again to come from behind, got it tied 1-1,” UL coach Gerry Glasco said. “I thought we made a great play obviously at the plate. I’m 50 feet away and I know I can’t see it better than the guy six feet away. I thought she was out and he thought she was safe. I’m sure he’s right and I’m sure I’m right.

“But at that time, I felt like I had to fight for my kids.”
Comeaux was still convinced in the postgame press conference.

“It’s really better than I don’t comment,” Comeaux said. “If any of you guys or anyone in the world will go back and look at that replay, they’ll know exactly what the right call was. There was no question.”
Then when a fielder’s choice grounder chased home LSU’s third run on what would have been the third out if Sanchez was ruled out at the plate, Glasco got ejected from the game.

“When we got the out at second base it would have been three outs with the score 1-1,” Glasco said. “It is what it is. We’ll find out later if I was right or I was wrong. I meant to get warned. I didn’t mean to get thrown out. When I got the warning, I walked toward the dugout and didn’t expect to get tossed, but I did.

“It had been a long hot day for him and me both, so it might have been better to get it over at that point.”

LSU coach Beth Torina didn’t comment specifically about the play in the postgame press conference other than to say, “I’m glad it worked in our favor.”

Torina maintained she’s not a fan of bringing instant replay into the college softball game.

“Honestly, I like the human element in the game,” Torina said. “I think there are some plays that could be benefited by an instant replay, but I think it’s part of it. I think it’s what it’s always been and I’m a really big traditionalist. I like the human element.”
Either way you stand on the call, it’s a shame.

Is it possible LSU could have still won the game if Sanchez was ruled out? Certainly, it was a tie game at the time.

Instead, we’re all left wondering, “what if?”

Sure, the umpire are part of the game.

It’s just a bad look for the players not to determine the game’s outcome when the season is on the line for both teams.

Regardless, it was another memorable moment in the UL-LSU rivalry.

“There was a moment when Shemiah turned to me and said, ‘I’ve never seen the fans like this,’ “ Torina said. “It was such a cool atmosphere. Our fans really came out and they were awesome. They really helped to support the team. I think it’s nice to see how strong college softball is in the state of Louisiana. I think it’s a lot of fun. As long as we keep hosting it here in Tiger Park, I’m good with it.”

In addition to adding another layer to the UL-LSU rivalry, Sunday’s two games also highlighted some elite pitchers in LSU’s Allie Walljasper and Carley Hoover, as well as UL’s Summer Ellyson.

“What she did today really should be commended,” Torina said of Ellyson, who pitched 13 innings. “She did a lot for her team.”

Walljasper, meanwhile, got the loss in game one with 3.2 innings of relief and then allowed just one run on three hits in the deciding game.

“Our defense worked great behind us,” Walljasper said. “ They were super great behind me and Carly too. We’re called the Fightin’ Tigers for a reason. We fight until the last possible out of the game.”
For the Cajuns, it was an especially bittersweet loss. After an offseason of turmoil with the firing of coach Michael Lotief, the team somehow hung together to reach the NCAA Regional finals.

“I think today showed our fight for sure,” UL senior outfielder Kelli Martinez said. “I don’t think anybody was expecting us to even get this far. To end up where we were, it was a pretty good feeling.

“This team was something special. They were all very young, but they’re talented. They don’t even understand how talented they are. Being able to have that fight and that heart is what made the game fun.”

If any team deserved to win or get beat straight up, it was the 2018 Ragin’ Cajuns.

On Sunday at Tiger Park, they weren’t afforded that opportunity.