Controversial obstruction no-call against Georgia Lessmann sparks viewer outrage from Auburn fans

Auburn vs. South Florida came to a head in the opening game of the Tallahassee Regional. That’s with a call at the plate, which was upheld after review, keeping the game tied going into the final inning in the seventh.

With Annalea Adams at the plate, Josie Foreman threw it to third to get an out on Georgia Lessman, and actually hit her with that ball. Lessmann than took off to home where Foreman, with the ball thrown back to her, met her with an inning-ending out called in the bottom of the sixth instead of a run scored that would’ve given them a lead. The Tigers argued against it but, after review, the umpires maintained the out going into the seventh

#MAYhem already beginning in this Auburn / USF game

— Maria Trivelpiece (@M_Trivelpiece) May 16, 2025

Watching this USF-Auburn softball game…I have no idea what obstruction is. That looked to me like the definition of obstruction. If you're blocking the plate before the ball arrives, that is obstruction and exactly what just happened. Glad I'm not Auburn

— Zach Huff (@GiMpChiLd) May 16, 2025

Clearly out at the plate but if by Defoe the rule that’s not obstruction then that’s a terrible call. Clearly was obstruction of the plate before the ball got there.

— Fan of the 5x 🏈 National Champion Auburn Tigers (@_ethanlowrey_) May 16, 2025

Those were the reactions from those down on The Plains. The fans down in Tampa weren’t hearing it, though.

These Announcers are SEC homers and their getting on my nerves. I mean trying to give Auburn 7-6 lead when South Florida clearly got them out. that lady needs to just shut up.

— Leroy Larsen (@LALMCCGatorsfan) May 16, 2025

“The runner from first, Smith, wanted to draw a throw down to second base and instead they threw to the lead runner and hit Lessmann in the back,” explained the broadcast on ESPNU.

“The throw back from Foreman, it hits the runner and Auburn, being aggressive…Does she allow the lead edge of the base to be open without the ball? And it looks to me like she is indeed in obstruction category there. She does not have the ball. Once she has the ball, she can own the plate…Without the ball, she is in the baseline,” they continued on ESPNU. “She’s not in front of the leading edge but she’s very close to that leading edge, in my opinion…To me, as a catcher, you just don’t want to leave any doubt. You want to be in front of the plate and it’s very, very close.”

2025 NCAA Softball Tournament Bracket: Updated Regional matchups, scores, schedule

Tallahassee Regional

(5) Florida State
Robert Morris
Friday 2:30 p.m. ET – ACC Network

USF 12, Auburn 7 (F/9)

Auburn looked good against USF after the opening inning with a 5-0 start after a three-run home run this afternoon. The Bulls, though, battled back with two runs apiece in the second, third, and fifth to take a lead before this one went to extra innings. It was then at the top of the ninth that South Florida pulled away for good with five runs of their own, with a grand slam hit, to advance. The Tigers will instead then move into the loser’s bracket now with an elimination game coming tomorrow in Tallahassee.