The next time LSU and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette play softball, it's a good bet there will be a lot more riding on the game than Thursday's contest.
If the past two NCAA Regionals are an indication, the No. 5 Tigers (33-8) and No. 19 Lady Cajuns (29-10) can secure a date during the week of May 16-19 when they open postseason play.
The opportunity for a glimpse at such a high-stakes event was washed out when their game was canceled because of heavy rains and occasional lightning at Tiger Park.
"It was a 20 percent chance of rain today," LSU coach Yvette Girouard said of forecast as standing water collected inside her dugout.
Girouard said she and UL-Lafayette coach Stefni Lotief, have not agreed on a possible make-up date.
"We'll look at what's feasible," Girouard. "If it's feasible at all."
Brisk ticket sales predicted the game would probably produce LSU's largest home crowd of the season.
"I was fired up to play," LSU catcher Jennie Reeves said. "My whole family was there and I know coach Girouard's family was there. They had tailgating going on. I was very upset it was canceled."
A steady walk-up crowd was also anticipated after LSU won two of three from UL-Lafayette last season, including a memorable 2-1 victory in the regional championship that sent the Tigers to their first Women's College World Series.
"It's obvious it was going to be a great game between two great teams," Girouard said. "But we're a tired team and I'm sure the rest will be good for everybody."
PERRY OUT FOR 4-6 WEEKS: Senior left fielder Aleisha Perry had surgery Thursday to repair a fractured knuckle on her left index finger and is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Perry, batting .287 with three RBIs, sustained the injury in last week's series against Arkansas and missed the first game of last Saturday's doubleheader against Alabama. She played in Sunday's 7-0 victory.
