The No. 3 LSU softball team lost its first game of the season Friday, falling, 4-3, at No. 1 Florida.
The Gators (28-0) snuck by the Tigers (25-1), answering LSU’s game-tying run in the top of the seventh inning with one of their own with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to win the game.
LSU grabbed the lead first in the top of the third inning. Singles from junior shortstop Bianka Bell and junior catcher Kellsi Kloss gave the Tigers runners to work with. Junior first baseman Sandra Simmons followed with a single to score Bell, and Kloss came in to score on an errant throw to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead. 
The Gators responded immediately in the bottom of the third. Two singles, two walks, a hit by pitch and a throwing error allowed the Gators to score three runs and take a 3-2.
The Tigers were down to their last out in the top of the seventh, but Simmons drew a bases loaded walk to force in a run to tie the game, 3-3.
Once again, Florida’s offense responded immediately. A leadoff single, a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch allowed the Gators to get a runner on third with one out. Freshman pitcher Carley Hoover, who came on in relief for sophomore Baylee Corbello, threw a two-out pitch that got by Kloss and allowed the Gators to score the winning run.
Despite only allowing two hits and an unearned run in four innings of relief, Hoover (6-1) took the loss for LSU.
The teams square off again in Game 2 at 12 p.m. Saturday.