Thirteen teams make up Southeastern Conference softball. Twelve of them are ranked in national top-25 polls right now. 

This conference is fierce, and matchups end in close scores. One or two runs can change the outcome. 

READ MORE: LSU softball drops series against Florida 2-1, three takeaways from the three games

SEC play was always going to be a significant test for LSU. 

The Tigers started conference play with a perfect record. They had triumphs over tougher teams and stayed competitive throughout multiple extra-inning battles to win. 
But, time would show how tough SEC softball is, and LSU stumbled against opponents with worse records and lower rankings. 
The Tigers are now 9-6 in the SEC and 31-6 overall. 
Here’s a look at how the team has performed, the changes it made and its upcoming matchups. 
Record rundown 
After 24 consecutive wins, the Tigers were the last team to suffer a loss in Division I Softball. They swept Kentucky in their first SEC series and “started to feel unstoppable,” head coach Beth Torina said.  
But LSU then dropped two games against Ole Miss to lose the series, and the setback didn’t stop there. 
The Tigers lost two more against Missouri and extended their losing streak to four. 
LSU was succumbing to the toughness of the SEC. The Tigers needed to regain the same fire they had at the start of the season. 
When LSU came back home to play Texas A&M, the team switched the narrative back to dominating conference showdowns. 
LSU swept the Aggies with powerful offensive performances in the late innings. Texas A&M had the first runs in all three games, but the Tigers came out on top in all three. 
Torina said the losses before facing the Aggies served a purpose. They proved her team is resilient 
“It took us a minute to get our feet back under us … The team understands that they are tough now, and that they are able to fight through some adversity,” she said.
But LSU had to face Florida next in a top 10 matchup. The Gators defeated the Tigers in two of the three games. LSU kept each battle close and sent the last two games into extra innings. 

PHOTOS: LSU softball defeats ULM 7-4 at Tiger Park

Lineup analysis and positive changes
Going into this year, LSU’s story centered around the veteran experience on its team. The Tigers mainly had seniors and graduate students out in the field to start the season. 
However, senior leadoff hitter Danieca Coffey suffered a season-ending knee injury, and everything shifted. 
After a trial-and-error period, Torina settled on left fielder Ali Newland as the leadoff, who leads LSU in home runs with eight. 
“One of the first things our staff told me is ‘we just want you to be you,  just in the one spot,’” Newland said. “So, it’s been really comfortable and really fun.”
In game 3 against Florida, Newland had a career-high three hits, including a two-run home run. 
Freshman Maddox McKee has stepped up at third base to fill Coffey’s position. She’s made clutch put-outs and on offense, crucial hits. 
When LSU was tied 3-3 against Florida in game 2, McKee hit a sacrifice fly to bring home the runner on third. 
Similarly, when LSU was down by one against the Aggies, McKee hit an RBI to tie the game. 
While these changes were due to an unfortunate circumstance, LSU has found ways to adapt and still dominate on offense and in the field. 
Upcoming opponents 

The next three SEC opponents will pose more tests for LSU. And after that, the SEC tournament begins. 

Starting April 12, LSU will play a series at home against Auburn. The Auburn Tigers are 3-9 in conference games, and LSU ranks higher than Auburn in SEC hitting, fielding and pitching. 

The ultimate challenge for LSU is the series after Auburn. 

The Tigers play No. 4 Tennessee in Knoxville. The Volunteers lead the NCAA in earned run average, and have multiple weapons on their pitching staff. 

To round out regular-season SEC play, LSU faces Arkansas on Friday, April 26, through Sunday, April 28.

Last season, Ole Miss defeated LSU in the first round of the SEC tournament. This year, the Tigers have a chance to prove they are better than a first-round loss.