Southeastern Louisiana junior outfielder Kaley Christy took advantage of two LSU errors and scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Lady Lions a historic 1-0 win over No. 5 LSU Wednesday night at North Oak Park.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Christy singled into left field. Junior second baseman Arica Rodriguez followed and hit a pop up to shallow left, which LSU shortstop Andrea Smith misplayed.

Christy, a Prairieville native and Southeastern's fastest player, took a big turn around third base and LSU freshman pitcher Cody Trahan (4-1) tried to throw back to the bag to pick off Christy. Her throw sailed well over the head of Tiger third baseman Tayl'r Hollis into left field, allowing Christy to score and give Southeastern its first-ever win over LSU.

The Lady Lions improved to 28-26 overall and broke LSU's 55-game winning streak versus in-state schools. LSU (46-7) had its nine-game winning streak snapped and lost for the first time in 10 games versus Southeastern. The Tigers had not lost to a Louisiana opponent since a defeat versus Louisiana-Lafayette during the 2001 season.

"I've told our players all week that nobody knows how good we are with Rachel in the circle, because of all the close games we've lost," Southeastern head coach Pete Langlois said. "We can play with anybody when she's on her game and she certainly was tonight. She's been the backbone of our team all year and we're so proud of her performance, not only tonight, but throughout the season.

"Our whole team came to play today and I am so proud of our players for their efforts tonight," Langlois added. "These players fought hard and helped me get the biggest win of my career. To be able to beat a team that is probably going to be in the College World Series next month is really something special."

Southeastern junior pitcher Rachel Ray (18-10) pitched fantastically for the Lady Lions. Ray became only the second pitcher all season to shutout LSU, scattering eight hits and battling out of several jams. In the victory, Ray tied the school's single-season record for victories and the single-season school record with her seventh shutout of the season.

Ray now shares the victory record with former Lady Lions Glynda Gauley (1986) and Carla Newsom (1994). The only Southeastern pitcher with as many single-season shutouts in school history was Monique Russell in 1999. Ray missed all of 2006 with a back injury, but has come back to become one of the Southland Conference's premier pitchers.

"This is the best feeling I've ever had playing softball," an excited and emotional Ray said. "Our team played so well on defense and Kaley did a great job coming all the way in to score.

"Coach Pete told me I was going to have to be the No. 1 pitcher this season," Ray added, when asked about her record season. "Coming back from injury, I was a little nervous at first, but I knew I had to suck it up and step up my game. I am just glad that I've pitched well this season and have been able to help our team be successful."

Southeastern mounted the game's first threat in the bottom of the first. Senior shortstop Michelle Lemons walked, senior designated player Carolann Wenisch singled and junior outfielder Brooke Lockhart was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Trahan recovered to strike out sophomore third baseman Heather Sherrill to end the threat. Trahan tied a career high with 11 strikeouts in the loss.

Ray had several innings where she had to battle out of trouble. A single, wild pitch and throwing error put LSU catcher Killian Roessner on third with one out in the top of the second. Ray battled back to retire Hobbs and second baseman Shannon Stein to keep the Tigers off the board.

LSU was again on the attack in the fifth. With one out, Ray hit Stein with a pitch. After retiring Smith, LSU leftfielder Jazz Jackson slapped a single through the left side, putting runners at the corners with two outs. Ray forced pinch hitter Quinlan Duhon to foul out to Sherrill to end the inning.

Perhaps Ray's most clutch performance came in the sixth. With one out, Ray walked two-time All-American and National Player of the Year candidate Leslie Klein. Klein advanced to second on a single by Hollis. The runners advanced a base on a Roessner ground out, but Ray remained calm. Ray forced first baseman Kristen Hobbs to hit a fly ball to left that Lockhart camped under to end the threat.

Ray forced the Lady Tigers to strand seven runners in the contest. Christy led Southeastern with a 2-for-3 performance. Jackson was a perfect 3-for-3 for LSU.