Da Boot Sports
5/17/2026
LSU Sports Communications
By: LSU Staff


​   BATON ROUGE, La. – For the second time in three years, LSU is crowned the Baton Rouge Regional Champions and will advance to the 2026 NCAA Super Regionals after a come-from-behind victory over Virginia Tech, 7-2, on Sunday at Tiger Park.
 
   LSU trailed 2-0 through two innings, but a four-spot in the third sparked seven unanswered runs to send the Fighting Tigers to Supers. The rally was ignited by Jalia Lassiter’s solo shot and Maci Bergeron’s two-run go-ahead single in the third. It was Bergeron’s second game-winning hit in as many games. The four-year LSU Tiger finished the regional round with a .600 batting average behind six hits, including a home run, and had four RBI after going 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI on Sunday.
 
   No. 18 LSU improves to 40-17 this season, marking the club’s fourth consecutive 40-win season, and will make its 11th Super Regional appearance. The Tigers are now 69-33 all-time in the NCAA Regionals and have 13 regional championship titles – nine under Head Coach Beth Torina. Virginia Tech concludes its season with a 48-12 record.
 
   “I want to say congratulations to Virginia Tech on an incredible season. I can hardly remember an opponent that was that classy and that well put together,” said Head Coach Beth Torina.  “They do what they do at a really high level. They just win softball games. It was an incredible year for them, and they’re an honorable opponent.
 
   “I don’t even know where to start on our team,” Coach Torina continued. “I’m so proud of this entire group. I’m proud of their growth and the senior leadership. Every time our senior class decides that it’s time to go, those are the ones that go the best. This senior class has been incredible this weekend. There are so many cool stories in here, too - the day that Alix Franklin had, the weekend Maci Bergeron had, Jalia [Lassiter] always has a good weekend. Paytn Monticelli’s story - it makes me feel super emotional to think about what she just did out there and the journey that took her to LSU. Avery Hodge isn’t up here, but our senior class was incredible in making this happen. It was a total team effort. We executed the plan beautifully. We knew the plan was not going to be won in one moment, but by death by a thousand cuts. We did exactly that, pressure throughout the whole weekend. I couldn’t be prouder of this team, and I’m excited for what’s in front of us.”
 
   Alix Franklin (3-for-4) matched a career-high three hits and scored two runs in the win, and Lassiter joined Bergeron with two hits, a run, and two ribbies.
 
   Paytn Monticelli improves to 9-3 in the circle, claiming her sixth consecutive win as the pitcher of record. Monticelli struck out two batters in the game and allowed five hits, one earned run, and one walk in 3.0 innings.  Monticelli and company retired the final 16 batters faced, beginning with the last out of the second inning.
 
   Virginia Tech’s starting pitcher, Bree Carrico, falls to 15-2 on the season after giving up four runs on eight hits and walking one in 2.2 innings. She had no strikeouts on the day.
 
   The Hokies jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first two innings. A leadoff double by Addison Foster, followed by an RBI single from Jordan Lynch, gave VT an early 1-0 advantage in the first inning, and the Hokies manufactured another run in the second inning, a two-out run-scoring single by Foster, to take a 2-0 lead.
 
   LSU broke through in the top of the third inning with four runs on five hits and forced a pitching change. Lassiter put the Tigers on the board with a leadoff home run for her ninth homer of the season, and Bergeron hit a two-run go-ahead single through the left side that put LSU on top, 3-2. Ally Hutchins drove in the fourth run on a bloop single down the right field line to give LSU a 4-2 lead.
 
   The Tigers’ defense did not allow a single baserunner for the remainder of the game, and the offense continued to provide run support. LSU added two runs in the fifth for a 6-2 margin. After Char Lorenz and Hutchins opened the inning with walks, Lassiter hit a RBI single to the shortstop, and Sierra Daniel was credited with an RBI on a fielder’s choice for the four-run lead.
 
   Adding extra insurance, Franklin hit a leadoff double down the right field line, and Tori Edwards singled through the left side. Three batters later, Franklin scored an unearned run thanks to a fielding error, pushing the lead to the eventual final score, 7-2.      
 
Up Next
   LSU will take on the nation’s top seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, Alabama, which won the Tuscaloosa Regional. The best-of-three series will take place on May 21-24 at Rhoads Stadium.  
 

​*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
5/16/2026
LSU Sports Communications
By: LSU Staff


   BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU battery had a game on Saturday afternoon in the 8-0 shutout over Virginia Tech at Tiger Park. Cece Cellura registered LSU’s second shutout of the regional, and her first career complete-game shutout, and Maci Bergeron matched a career-high with three hits, including a go-ahead home run, her third homer of the season.
 
   LSU (39-17), which increases its total to 12 shutouts this season, will await its opponent for Sunday’s regional final at 1 p.m. CT. Virginia Tech (47-11) will face the winner of the Baton Rouge Regional’s first elimination game between Akron (34-24) and South Alabama (32-26) at 5 p.m. CT today.
 
   “We’ve talked all year about searching for our best game, a complete game. I think that was about as close to it as we could be,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “I thought we got things from all areas, and we executed our plan beautifully. To do that against a quality opponent like Virginia Tech is special. We know they [Virginia Tech] are a good team from top to bottom, so it was a great day to execute the way we did. I cannot say enough about the performance from Cece [Cellura], who controlled a dominant offense, and it is easy to celebrate someone like Maci [Bergeron]. For her [Bergeron] to have a day as she did makes my heart want to explode. She is the ultimate Tiger and special to all of us.”
 
   Cellura (9-5) opened the game with three hitless innings, featuring two one-two-three frames and two strikeouts. The junior finished with three strikeouts and allowed two hits and one walk in 6.0 innings. The defense was solid behind her, securing eight fly outs and six groundouts, including the club’s 28th double play of the season, which ties for the second-most in a single season in program history.
 
   Bergeron went 3-for-3 at the dish, including her fourth career home run in the NCAA Tournament, scored one run, and had two RBI. Kylee Edwards continued her tear in the regional. She batted 2-for-3, scored one run, and had two RBI. Char Lorenz also had two hits in three at-bats, scored a run, and had an RBI in the win.
 
   Virginia Tech’s Emma Mazzarone falls to 16-6 this season after surrendering three runs on two hits and walking five batters in 1.0 inning.
 
   LSU put together its third three-run inning of the regional, had one hit, and drew four walks in the second inning. Bergeron put the first runs on the board with a two-run shot to center field, and Jalia Lassiter logged a sacrifice fly that made the score 3-0 through two innings.
 
   The Fighting Tigers extended their lead in the fourth, 4-0, with a two-out RBI double down the left field line by K. Edwards for her third extra-base hit of the weekend, and got the party started in the four-run sixth inning with an RBI single up the middle.
 
   Alix Franklin reached on an error, and Sierra Daniel scored her second run of the day after reaching via a walk, and Tori Edwards tallied the game’s second sacrifice fly that plated K. Edwards. With two outs on the board, Lorenz ended the game early with a single through the left side that scored Franklin, giving LSU the 8-0 advantage in six  
 

Da Boot Sports
5/15/2026
LSU Sports Communications
By: LSU Staff


   BATON ROUGE, La. – Jayden Heavener twirled her fifth shutout of the season and 10th in her career, as LSU opened the 2026 Baton Rouge Regional by blanking Akron, 8-0, in six innings, on Friday night at Tiger Park.
 
   With the victory over Akron (34-24), No. 18 LSU (38-17) will advance in the winner’s bracket, where it will face No. 11/14 Virginia Tech (47-10) at noon CT on Saturday. The Tigers recorded their 14th run-rule and 11th shutout of the season.
 
   Heavener (13-8) delivered a season-high 11 strikeouts, marking her fourth game this season with 10 or more strikeouts. The sophomore allowed three hits and walked three batters in the win. Heavener set the tone early, with the first seven outs of the game being strikeouts, and she fanned eight of the first 12 batters she faced.
 
  “We wanted to come out and set a tone today, and start the postseason on the right foot,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “We knew we had a quality opponent in Akron. We respect them, so we wanted to make sure we showed up for this game. I think we did just that. Jayden’s [Heavener] three strikeouts in the first inning really set the tone, and our offense came out and scored early. I think that was a big lift for us. Then we continued scoring throughout the game. It was a great display of who we are. It was a very complete game and a great way to start this tournament. We did exactly what we set out to do.”
 
   The Tigers have logged double-digit hits in four of their last six games after turning in 11 hits on Friday, marking their 13th double-digit hit game of the season. Eight LSU batters recorded a hit, highlighted by Sierra Daniel’s 3-for-4 outing that included two doubles. Kylee Edwards went 2-for-4 at the dish with a double and a triple and led the team with three RBI. Both Daniel and K. Edwards scored two runs. Avery Hodge matched a season-high with two hits, and Alix Franklin hit her sixth home run of the season.  
 
   Akron’s Madie Jamrog falls to 18-7 in the circle after surrendering seven runs on 11 hits and walking four batters. Jamrog finished the game with three strikeouts.
 
   LSU got off to a fast start in the opening frame. Heavener retired the Zips three-up and three-down with three strikeouts in the top of the inning, and the Tigers put up three runs in the bottom, highlighted by a two RBI double by K. Edwards, and a run-scoring single by Char Lorenz.
 
   Heavener continued to deal, sitting down six of the next nine batters, featuring five strikeouts, before LSU added another three runs on four hits in the third. Franklin started the scoring with a solo blast to centerfield, and Ally Hutchins and Hodge logged RBI singles to right and left center field, respectively, to build a 6-0 advantage.
 
   After the LSU retired the Akron hitters in order for the second time in the game in the top of the sixth, Daniel hit a leadoff double in the bottom, and K. Edwards brought her home with a triple to left field, making the count 7-0. K. Edwards went on to score the game-sealing run, capitalizing on a wild pitch to end the game, 8-0.  

​*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
5/10/2026
LSU Sports Communications
By: LSU Staff


   INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The LSU softball team will make its 27th NCAA Tournament appearance and host the Baton Rouge Regional May 15-17 as the No. 16 overall seed. 
 
   The 2026 Baton Rouge Regional features Virginia Tech as the No. 2 seed, Sun Belt Conference Tournament Champions South Alabama as the No. 3 seed, and Mid-American Conference Champions Akron as the fourth seed. The Tigers will take on Akron at 5:30 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15.
 
   Dating back to the 2015 season, LSU will host an NCAA Tournament Regional for the 10th time over the last 11 years, excluding 2020, which had no tournament due to COVID-19. It will be the 17th time LSU has hosted a regional. LSU holds a 66-33 record in the NCAA Tournament Regional round.
 
   The Tigers received a berth to the NCAA Tournament for the 20th consecutive season and have a record of 88-60 in the Big Dance with six NCAA Women’s College World Series appearances (2001, 2004, 2012, 2015-2017). Head Coach Beth Torina has led LSU to the Women’s College World Series four times, including three consecutive seasons, 2015-2017.
 
   LSU enters the 2026 NCAA Tournament with a 37-17 overall record and has won nine of its last 12 games. 

Da Boot Sports
5/6/2026
LSU Sports Communications
By: LSU Staff


   LEXINGTON, Ky. – No. 18 LSU bows out of the 2026 SEC Tournament with a 7-3 loss to No. 17/13 Georgia on Wednesday night at John Cropp Stadium.
   
​    LSU falls to 37-17 on the season, while Georgia advances to the quarterfinals with a 37-17 record.

   Jayden Heavener (12-8) received the loss after 3.1 innings with five strikeouts and allowed five runs on six hits.

   UGA pitcher Randi Roelling improves to 17-9 in the circle after throwing her 11th complete game of the season. Roelling tallied a season-high 10 strikeouts and gave up three runs (one earned) on three hits. She also walked three batters.

    Heavener struck out four of the first seven batters she faced through two innings, including three swinging strikeouts in the opening frame. Georgia adjusted and pushed across two runs in the top of the third with a run-scoring double by Natalie Ray and an RBI single from Jaydyn Goodwin. However, the Tigers responded in the bottom half-inning, tying the game 2-2 with LSU’s first hit of the game, a two-run blast to right field by Sierra Daniel.

   The Bulldogs went on to score five unanswered runs to build a 7-2 advantage. Emily Digby put UGA back on top in the fourth, 5-2, with a three-run dinger to center field, and Sarah Gordon and Tyler Ellison cashed in on RBI singles in the top of the seventh.

   LSU put the game-tying run on deck in the home half. Char Lorenz led off the inning with a single to left, and Ally Hutchins followed with a double to right. Lorenz scored on that play, advancing home on a throw. Daniel reached on a fielding error, putting runners on the corners with two outs, but Roelling ended the threat with her 10th strikeout of the game.

Up Next
   LSU will await its seeding for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The 2026 NCAA Selection Show will be at 6 p.m. CT on Sunday, May 10.

​

​*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
5/2/2026
LSU Sports Communications
By: LSU Staff


   BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 20/19 LSU recorded its second SEC sweep of the season after defeating Auburn in the doubleheader, 25-0 and 7-2, on Saturday at Tiger Park.  
 
   LSU’s (37-16, 13-11 SEC) 25 runs on 24 hits in game one mark program-best totals in both categories against an SEC opponent. It also marked the second-most hits and runs in a single game in program history (LSU had 30 runs on 27 hits at Louisiana Tech in 2016).
 
   LSU last swept Auburn (25-27, 4-20 SEC) in 2018 in Tiger Park and earned its first series win since 2024. Overall on the day, LSU outscored Auburn 32-2 and had a .554 batting average on 36 hits with only three home runs.
 
   “The offense was incredible,” said Head Coach Beth Torina.  “There is always concern when you have a big game that you are going to take the foot off the gas in game two. We understood the importance of the game and did a great job of executing.”
 
   Sierra Daniel (.857 avg.) and Jalia Lassiter (.667 avg.) led LSU with six hits and scored four runs each. Three of Lassiter’s hits were doubles, and she had three RBI. Maci Bergeron (.571 avg._ and Franklin (.500) had four hits on the day. Bergeron scored two runs and had four RBI, while Franklin scored four runs, had a team-high seven RBI, and hit two home runs, including her first career grand slam.
 
   The LSU pitching staff had a solid showing as well, holding Auburn to a .182 batting average on the day and registering a 1.17 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 12.0 innings.  
 

Game One
   Jayden Heavener (12-7) tossed her fourth complete game shutout of the season and ninth in her career to open the day for the LSU Tigers. Heavener tallied five strikeouts and allowed three hits and three walks in the win, which served as the staff’s third consecutive shutout.
 
   Lassiter (4-for-5) and Daniel (4-for-4) had career-highs of four hits and three runs scored. Lassiter added three RBI. Franklin was 2-for-4 at the dish, including her first career grand slam. Franklin scored two runs and had a career-best five RBI, and Jada Phillips hit her first career homer and finished 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBI. Overall, LSU had eight batters register multiple hits.  
 
   Auburn’s Abby Herndon (12-7) received the loss and was pulled with 0.1 innings pitched after surrendering eight runs on seven hits, one walk, and no strikeouts.
 
   LSU scored eight runs on nine hits, and Auburn committed two errors in the first inning. The Bayou Bengals logged six runs on seven hits with just one out in their first time through the order. LSU had a stretch of six consecutive hits in the frame, highlighted by two-run doubles by seniors Bergeron and Lassiter.
 
   The Fighting Tigers struck again in the third with seven runs on six hits. After loading the bases with singles from Lassiter, Daniel, and Kylee Edwards, Franklin cleaned it up, hitting the game's first home run and LSU’s second grand slam of the season. A few batters later, Phillips recorded her first collegiate home run, a two-run blast, that made the score 15-0.
 
   LSU had its biggest offensive output of the season with 10 runs on another nine hits in the fourth inning. Franklin started it off, driving in her fifth RBI of the game with a single through the left side, and Rylie Johnson capped the inning with a two-RBI pinch-hit double.
 
Game Two
   Cece Cellura moved to 8-5 in the circle and matched a career-high seven strikeouts in her seventh complete game of the season. Cellura allowed five hits, two runs, and handed out one walk.
 
   LSU totaled 12 hits in the regular season finale, with four players recording two hits. Franklin was 2-for-2, including her second homer of the day, and had two RBI to lead the team. Bergeron (2-for-3, RBI), Daniel (2-for-3, one run), and Lassiter (2-for-4, one run) also picked up multiple hits.
 
   Auburn’s Ella Harrison (11-14) was charged with the loss after giving up 10 hits, seven runs, two walks, and a pair of strikeouts.
 
   In the opening inning, Lassiter opened the game with a leadoff double, and two batters later, Franklin launched an 0-1 pitch to the berm in left field to give LSU a 2-0 lead.
 
   Auburn scored its first run of the series with a solo shot by Ma’Nia Womack in the top of the second, but LSU extended its lead with two runs in the fourth. After loading the bases on a hit and two walks, Hodge plated one runner with a single up the middle, and Tori Edwards scored an unearned run on the play after an Auburn fielding error, giving the home team a 4-1 advantage.
 
   LSU added three more runs in the fifth. K. Edwards hit an RBI double down the left field line, T. Edwards hit an RBI single to the shortstop, and Bergeron followed with another RBI double down the left field line to build a 7-1 lead.
 
   Cellura worked a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth, retiring seven of eight batters beginning with the final out in the fourth. Cellura gave up another solo shot to Womack in the seventh but went on to sit down the next three batters, including two strikeouts to end the game.
 
Up Next
   Postseason play begins with the 2026 SEC Tournament on May 5-9, at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Ky. LSU is the No. 8 seed and will face the No. 9 seed in Georgia on Wednesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. CT.
 

​*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
4/30/2026
LSU Sports Communications
By: LSU Staff


   BATON ROUGE, La. – Paytn Monticelli threw her first complete game shutout as an LSU Tiger, and the second of her career, leading No. 20/19 LSU to a 3-0 victory against Auburn in the series opener on Thursday at Tiger Park.  
 
   LSU improves to 35-16 this season and 11-11 in the SEC, while Auburn falls to .500 at 25-25 with a 4-18 mark in conference play.
 
   Monticelli improves to 8-3 on the season with her fifth consecutive win. The senior registered a season-high nine strikeouts and allowed four hits and two walks. Monticelli had three innings where she faced the minimum, including the first inning that was aided by the club’s 25th double play of the season, and the seventh, where she struck out the final two batters.
 
   “She [Monticelli] did a great job,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “It was a good matchup for her, and it was one of her best performances as a Tiger. She threw a lot of rise balls and was good there. She was able to change speeds, she located well, and she got some great defense.”
 
   Jalia Lassiter extended her hitting streak to 10 after going 2-for-4 at the dish and had one RBI. Lassiter also made the defensive play of the game by robbing a potential two-run homer in the sixth inning.
 
   Kylee Edwards logged her 15th multi-hit game of the season with a 2-for-3 outing. Sierra Daniel and Alix Franklin also had a hit in the win. Franklin added an RBI.
 
   Auburn’s Ella Harrison was charged with the loss, moving to 11-13, after allowing five hits, three runs, two walks, and three strikeouts in 3.0 innings.
 
   LSU scored all three of its runs in the second inning. After Char Lorenz was hit by a pitch and Ally Hutchins drew a walk, Avery Hodge loaded the bases with a sacrifice hit, reaching on a throwing error, and Lorenz capitalized on the error by scoring the game’s first run. Lassiter followed with a run-scoring single to the shortstop, and later in the frame, Hodge scored an unearned run on Franklin’s RBI fielder’s choice.
 
Up Next
   The second game of the series between LSU and Auburn is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on Friday.

​*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
4/28/2026
LSU Sports Communications
By: LSU Staff


   BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 20/19 LSU logged its eighth shutout of the season and matched a season-high in runs in a dominating 16-0 run-rule against McNeese on Tuesday night at Tiger Park.  
 
   LSU (34-16) recorded its 12th run-rule victory of the year and tallied 14 hits against McNeese (35-19), marking its 10th double-digit hit game of the season. With the win, the Tigers conclude the regular season with a 7-0 record against in-state opponents.
 
   Three hurlers from the LSU pitching staff combined for the one-hit shutout. Cece Cellura earned the win and improved to 7-5 in the circle after throwing 3.0 shutout innings with one strikeout, allowing one hit, and one walk. Cellura retired nine of the 11 batters she faced and threw 53 total pitches. Cali Deal and Ashlin Mower pitched the final 2.0 innings. Deal had a strikeout and walked one in the fourth, and Mowery sat down three of the four batters she faced.
 
   Twelve Tigers logged hits, including all nine starters. Left fielder Destiny Harris batted 2-for-3, scored two runs, and had a career-high three RBI. Catcher Char Lorenz went 2-for-2 at the dish, scored a run, and had two ribbies and a walk. Centerfielder Jalia Lassiter hit her eighth home run of the season, a two-run blast, scored two runs, and drove in another run to match her season-best with three RBI. The bottom of the order (batters 6-9), including pinch hitters, did most of the damage, combining for seven hits, seven runs, and eight RBI.
 
   “It was nice to get everybody a little bit of work in a live game as we get closer to the postseason,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “It’s nice to see them perform well and be in some good spots. We continued to be aggressive. That’s what works well for this team. They attacked pitches and had a good plan for the pitchers. They made good adjustments and were aggressive at the plate.”
 
   McNeese pitcher Brookelyn Taylor dropped to 12-7 after giving up four runs on two hits, two walks, and one strikeout in 0.2 innings.
 
   The Tigers jumped out to a 12-0 lead through two innings after scoring four in the first and eight in the second. The first inning was highlighted by RBI singles from Lorenz and Harris. In the second, LSU tallied six hits, including five consecutive run-scoring hits, featuring a two-run double by Harris and a two-run homer by Lassiter.
 
   McNeese got its first baserunner in the third inning after going eight up and eight down to start the game, but only managed to get three additional runners on base for the remainder of the contest, one of whom was put in scoring position in the fourth.
 
   LSU punctuated the game with another four-run frame in the bottom of the fourth. Lassiter recorded a sacrifice fly, Jada Phillips and Kylee Edwards had run-scoring hits, a single and a double, respectively, and Tori Edwards capped the scoring with a hard hit single up the middle that drove in K. Edwards.
 
Up Next
   LSU finishes the regular season with a three-game series versus Auburn on April 30-May 2 at Tiger Park.
 

Da Boot Sports
4/26/2026
LSU Sports Communications
By: LSU Staff


   STARKVILLE, Miss. – Tori Edwards’ 100th career hit and 12th home run of the season in the sixth inning proved to be the game-winning blow as No. 20/15 LSU avoided the sweep and ended the weekend with a 5-3 victory over No. 17/19 Mississippi State on Sunday afternoon at Nusz Park.
 
   With the win, LSU (33-16, 10-11 SEC) will enter the final week of the regular season ninth in the SEC standings. Mississippi State (36-15, 8-13 SEC) is behind the Tigers at No. 10. Seeds 5-9 will get a first-round bye in the 2026 SEC Tournament that will be held in Lexington, Ky., on May 5-9.
 
   Paytn Monticelli, the reigning SEC Pitcher of the Week, pitched 7.0 innings in relief to grab her fourth consecutive win and improve to 7-3 on the season. Monticelli had a stretch of sitting down eight consecutive batters, highlighting back-to-back 1-2-3 innings in the third and fourth innings. For her final line, the senior allowed one run on two hits, walked one batter, and struck out two.
 
   Kylee Edwards led the offense with another two-hit game (2-for-3) and had two RBI on her 10th home run of the season. She also scored two runs to lead the team. T. Edwards hit a two-run dinger as well, marking the fifth game this season where K. Edwards and T. Edwards have homered in the same game.
 
   MSU’s Peja Goold is charged with the loss after 2.2 innings of work, where she allowed three hits, two runs, walked one, and struck out two.
 
   The clubs exchanged two-run homers in the first inning for a 2-2 tie. K. Edwards hit her 10th longball of the season for LSU, and MSU’s Nadia Barbary responded with a two-run shot of her own in the home half.
 
   The defenses settled in after the home runs. LSU turned double plays in the first and second innings, and after Franklin’s RBI single in the third, the Tigers caged the Bulldogs with a shutdown inning capped by Monticelli’s first strikeout, ending the third with an LSU 3-2 advantage.
 
   The Bulldogs loaded the bases in the fifth with no outs but plated just one run to tie the game before LSU turned its third double play of the game, tying a program single-game record.
 
   In the sixth, K. Edwards led off the inning with a single to the shortstop, and T. Edwards took the pitcher deep to center field, driving in two runs to reestablish a 5-3 margin, and LSU registered its third three-up and three-down inning in the seventh to end the game.  
 
Up Next
   LSU will conclude the regular season with four home games, beginning with a midweek contest against McNeese at 6 p.m. CT on Tuesday, April 28.
 

​*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
4/25/2026
By: Terrill J. Weil


   STARKVILLE, MS - The Lady Tigers fell to Mississippi State, 5-2, as the Lady Bulldogs were able to win the weekend series and well attempt to sweep LSU on Sunday. 

   Ce Ce Cellura got the start in the circle for the Lady Tigers and had a tough first inning, giving up five runs before settling down to shut State down the rest of the way. The LSU bats simply couldn't get the timely hits when needed. 

   LSU scored early as Sierra Daniel hit a one out, solo home run over the right field wall in the top of the first inning. We headed to the bottom of the frame with LSU on top, 1-0. 

   Mississippi State responded with a huge at bat in the bottom of the first, plating five runs. 5-1, Lady Bulldogs as the first inning came to a close. 

   LSU cut into the State lead in the third. Avery Hodge led off with a single to third base. Jalia Lassiter reached on a fielder's choice as Hodge was thrown out at second base. Kaylee Edwards walked. Alix Franklin singled to center field to score Lassiter. 5-2, State as we moved to the bottom of the third. 

   The Lady Tigers were unable to generate any steady offense, spreading out seven hits and standing seven runners on base. 

   With the loss, LSU falls to 32-16 overall and 9-11 in the SEC. Next both teams will meet on Sunday, April 26 at 11:00am for the final game of the series. 

​*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
4/24/2026
LSU Sports Communications
By: LSU Staff


   STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State pitcher Alyssa Faircloth fired 120 pitches and struck out 11 batters to lead No. 17/19 Mississippi State to a 5-3 series-opening win over No. 20/15 LSU on Friday night at Nusz Park.

   With the loss, LSU’s (32-15, 9-10 SEC) four-game winning streak comes to a halt, while Mississippi State (35-14, 7-12 SEC) picks up its first win since April 10, ending its five-game skid.

   Paytn Monticelli received no decision after entering the game in the third inning and retired the first seven batters she faced, highlighted by 1-2-3 innings in the fourth and fifth frames. Monticelli gave up two hits and one earned run in the final 3.1 innings. Jayden Heavener (11-7) was handed the loss after giving up three runs on four hits, walking two, and having one strikeout in 2.2 innings.

   LSU scattered five hits in the game, including Jalia Lassiter’s RBI double. Maci Bergeron, Tori Edwards, Avery Hodge, and Ally Hutchins each had hits in the game. Hodge scored two runs in the contest.

   Faircloth (11-5) earned the win, and her 11 punchouts pushed her past 200 strikeouts on the season. The junior pitcher surrendered five hits, three runs, and five walks. Leila Ammon recorded her first save of the season after recording the final out of the game.

   LSU’s leadoff hitter reached first base safely in each of the first three innings, and the Tigers took advantage in the top of the third with a run-scoring double by Lassiter to the gap in left field, scoring Hodge from first base, who opened the inning with a walk. The Bulldogs responded in the bottom half inning, however, and took a 3-1 lead off Paige Ernstes’ three-run homer.

   Mississippi State added two runs on two hits, aided by two LSU errors in the sixth, for a 5-1 lead. LSU got the two runs back on a pair of two-out RBI walks by Kylee Edwards and T. Edwards, scoring Hodge and Huthins, who opened the seventh with a single (Hodge) and double (Hutchins) to begin the rally. The attempt fell short, however, with the Tigers ending the game with the bases loaded and a 5-3 setback.

Up Next
   The second game of the series between LSU and Mississippi State is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT on Saturday.
SU Drops Series Opener at Mississippi State

​*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
4/19/2026
LSU Sports Communications
By: LSU Staff


   ​BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 22/17 LSU unleashed another sixth-inning surge, tallying three runs on three hits to clinch an 8-5 victory and sweep over Ole Miss on Sunday at Tiger Park.
 
   LSU (32-14, 9-9 SEC) earns its first sweep of the 2026 season and its first since knocking off then No. 23 Kentucky in the 2025 SEC opening weekend series (March 14-16, 2025). This sweep was also the Tigers' first over Ole Miss (27-21, 2-16 SEC) since 2015 at Tiger Park (April 3-4, 2015). LSU has rallied back to a .500 record in league play with nine wins in the last 13 league games after opening its SEC slate 0-5.
 
   The Fighting Tigers rallied offensively for the third straight game, starting with Tori Edwards’ leadoff blast to center in the fifth that tied the game, 5-5. It was her fourth leadoff homer this season. In the sixth, LSU broke the tie with Alix Franklin’s RBI triple that plated Jalia Lassiter, who singled to open the inning. Franklin scored on the same play due to the Rebels’ second error of the game. T. Edwards followed immediately with her second homer of the day, another shot to center, giving LSU an 8-5 lead entering the seventh.
 
   “Our offense was incredible,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “I thought we fought really hard. I told the team after the game that there were some things we could clean up. We can obviously execute better in some ways, but I don’t know if anyone could fight any harder than that. Their fight was incredible. The way the offense controlled the strike zone all weekend was incredible. We were able to use so many different people. I was really proud of the effort all weekend long.”
 
   LSU produced 11 hits, its ninth double-digit effort and first streak of consecutive such games this season. T. Edwards went 3-for-3, homering in her last two at-bats, scoring twice, driving in two runs, and walking once. The redshirt sophomore notched her third career two-homer game—and first versus an SEC foe. Edwards's sixth inning this series included two home runs (one an inside-the-park grand slam), five RBI, and two runs.
 
   Jalia Lassiter went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI, while Alix Franklin had two hits, including her sixth triple, one run, and one RBI.  
 
   Paytn Monticelli improved her record to 6-3 on the season, claiming all three wins in the series in relief. On Sunday, Monticelli tossed 3.1 shutout innings. She allowed one hit, one walk, and finished with two strikeouts. In the series, Monticelli (3-0) posted a 0.00 ERA. She gave up just four hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 7.0 innings.
 
   Ole Miss starter Emilee Boyer (9-10) was handed the loss. Boyer gave up all 11 hits, eight runs (six earned), two walks, and struck out four in 5.2 innings.
 
   Ole Miss seized an early 2-0 lead in the first with Madi George’s two-run homer. LSU responded in the second with back-to-back singles from Jada Phillips and Avery Hodge. Lassiter then ripped a base-clearing double to knot the score at 2-2. Sierra Daniel lashed the fourth consecutive hit, a single, and advanced to second on Kylee Edwards’ groundout. Both Daniel and K. Edwards raced home for unearned runs after a wild pitch and a throwing error, giving LSU a 4-2 lead in the second.
 
   Neither team broke through in the third, but the Rebels stormed back to capture a 5-4 advantage in the fourth with three solo homers by Kennedy Bunker, George, and Cassie Reasner.
 
   Monticelli entered the game in the fourth to record the final out of the frame, and worked a 1-2-3 inning fifth that featured her two strikeouts. The senior allowed one base runner in the sixth, issuing a walk. The defense then turned its 21st double play to end the top of the sixth. After LSU's offensive surge in the bottom half, Ole Miss got its first runner in scoring position since the fourth in the seventh. However, the defense escaped after Monticelli induced three groundouts, including one she assisted, to end the game.  
 
Up Next
   LSU will take the field for its final road SEC series at Mississippi St. on April 25-27 in Starkville, Miss.

​*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​*John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Da Boot Sports
4/18/2026
LSU Sports Communications
By: LSU Staff


   BATON ROUGE, La. – For the second consecutive game, Tori Edwards drove in the game-winning run in the sixth inning and No. 22/17 LSU clinched the series with a tight 7-6 win over Ole Miss on Saturday night at Tiger Park.
   
​   LSU (31-14, 8-9 SEC) earned its third SEC series win and first at home this season with a back-and-forth 7-6 victory over Ole Miss (27-20, 2-15 SEC).

​   In the bottom of the sixth with the score tied, 6-6, Jalia Lassiter walked, and singles from Sierra Daniel and Alix Franklin loaded the bases. T. Edwards battled through nine pitches to draw her second walk, driving in the go-ahead run and finishing the day with a hit and two RBI.

   Ole Miss put two in scoring position in the seventh, but LSU’s Paytn Monticelli ended the game with her second strikeout and secured her second win of the series. She is 5-3 after 1.2 relief innings, allowing one hit and a walk.

   “It’s cool to see so many people contribute,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “People are really understanding their role. Some may not have the role they wanted when the season started, but they’ve embraced it and are performing well. Whether it’s leading off an inning, pinch running, or catching the last pitch, they’ve accepted whatever role we ask. We have a deep team with many contributors. It feels like you’re playing against 23 players when you face us.”

   LSU tallied nine hits, including three players with multiple hits. Kylee Edwards had a 2-for-4 day at the plate and drove in three runs, marking her 10th multi-RBI game of the season. Franklin (2-for-4) and Ally Hutchins (2-for-3) each had two hits and scored a run. Daniel and Lassiter also had a hit and a walk. Daniel scored one run, and Lassiter matched her career-high with three runs.

   Jayden Heavener pitched the first two innings, giving up four runs, two hits, five walks, and one strikeout. Tatum Clopton then entered in the third, retired her first five batters, and allowed two runs on two hits, two walks, and struck out two over 3.1 innings.

   Ole Miss’ Lilly Whitten (6-1) took her first loss, allowing five hits, three runs, four walks, and recording the Rebels’ lone strikeout.

   Ole Miss opened the game with a solo home run by Mackenzie Pickens in the top of the first. However, LSU quickly responded, taking a 2-1 lead in the home half. Lassiter was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on Daniel’s walk, and scored on K. Edwards’ single to left field. Then, Daniel took advantage of a throwing error and scored an unearned run to give LSU the lead.

   The Rebels added three in the second, highlighted by Pickens’ two-run double for a 4-2 lead. In the bottom half, Hutchins doubled and scored LSU’s second unearned run after an error, cutting it to 4-3.

   Clopton entered in the third, retiring three on nine pitches and yielding the game’s first scoreless half-inning. LSU tied it at 4-4 after back-to-back doubles by Franklin and T. Edwards (RBI).

   LSU regained the lead at 6-4 in the fourth. Avery Hodge drew a one-out walk. Lassiter doubled to left field to put both runners in scoring position. K. Edwards came through with another single to left field for her third RBI of the day.

   Clopton sent the Rebels out in order in the fifth, ending with her second strikeout of the night. It was the Rebels’ third consecutive scoreless inning. The visiting team tied the game in the top of the sixth, however, thanks to a two-run single by Kennedy Bunker.

   The Tigers re-established their lead in the bottom of the sixth with T. Edwards’ go-ahead RBI walk, and LSU outlasted the Rebels’ threat in the seventh to win the series in two games.

Up Next
   The LSU-Ole Miss finale will be at 1 p.m. CT on Sunday and streamed on SEC Network+.

Da Boot Sports
4/17/2026
LSU Sports Communications
By: LSU Staff


   BATON ROUGE, La. – Tori Edwards hit an inside-the-park grand slam in the sixth inning, capping the rally of the season as No. 22/17 LSU captures the series opener with a 6-4 win over Ole Miss on Friday night at Tiger Park.
 
   T. Edwards recorded the program’s first inside-the-park home run since 2021, when Raleen Gutierrez did it at Southeastern Louisiana (March 16, 2021). It was T. Edwards’ fifth career grand slam after setting the program record with four last season. The redshirt sophomore was 2-for-3 at the plate against Ole Miss, scored one run, and matched a season-high four RBI, marking her 25th career multi-RBI game.
 
   The late-inning rally that featured five runs on four hits in the sixth improves LSU’s record to 30-14 overall and 7-9 in the SEC. Ole Miss falls to 27-19 and 2-14 in league play.
 
   “I think we executed the game plan beautifully,” said Head Coach Beth Torina. “The game plan was to have some patience and to wait for that one big swing. We actually got one in the fifth from Sierra Daniel, but the ball just happened to go right to somebody. Our players did exactly what we asked them to do. We wanted to flood the bases, be patient, and still be aggressive at the right moments. I thought they did exactly that. We told them before the game that this is exactly how Ole Miss’s games play out. They do a really good job of staying in ball games. They did just that today.”
 
   LSU totaled eight hits in the game, and all six of its runs came with two outs. The Fighting Tigers also matched their season-high of 11 walks for the fourth time this season. Kylee Edwards recorded two hits (2-for-3), including her ninth home run of the season, and scored a game-high two runs. She also finished with two RBI. Jalia Lassiter, who also contributed a hit, and Char Lorenz led the team with three walks each.
 
   Paytn Monticelli (4-3) earned the win in the circle after 2.0 innings in relief, where she struck out one batter and gave up two hits. Jayden Heavener picked up her second save of the season after striking out the two batters she faced in the seventh to slam the door. Cece Cellura started the game and pitched 4.1 innings. Cellura had a strikeout and allowed three earned runs on five hits.
 
   Emilee Boyer (9-9) received the loss for Ole Miss. In 6.0 innings, Boyer surrendered eight hits, six runs, and 11 walks. She finished the game with five strikeouts.
 
   LSU got on the board in the first with a two-out solo shot that stayed fair down the left field line by K. Edwards, putting the Tigers ahead, 1-0. Ole Miss tied the game immediately in the second, however, with a Madi George leadoff homer to left center field.
 
   After a couple of scoreless innings, the Rebels plated three runs, including a two-run homer from Persy Llamas to take a 4-1 advantage through five frames.
 
   In the sixth, LSU broke the game open with a five-run inning on four hits, sparked by a run-scoring single from K. Edwards with runners on the corners. After Alix Franklin loaded the bases with a single to center field, T. Edward roped a 1-0 pitch down the right line that got past the diving right fielder and made it a round-tripper, beating the throw home to give LSU the 6-4 lead.
 
   Ole Miss opened the seventh with back-to-back singles, before a foul out to the first baseman gave LSU its first out. Coach Torina inserted Heavener for the save situation, and she delivered by striking out both George and Llamas, who both homered earlier in the game.
 
Up Next
   Game two of the series is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT on Saturday.

Da Boot Sports
4/14/2026
LSU Sports Communications
By: LSU Staff


   ​LAFAYETTE, La. – Jayden Heavener tossed her second career no-hitter, leading No. 22/17 LSU in the five-inning 8-0 thumping against UL Lafayette on Tuesday night at Lamson Park.
 
   It is the program’s 48th no-hitter, and first since Heavener’s perfect game in her collegiate debut against Charlotte on Feb. 7, 2025.
 
   LSU (29-14) swept UL Lafayette (22-22) in the regular season and has won five of the last six games against the Ragin’ Cajuns in Lafayette.  
 
   Heavener earned her third shutout of the season and eighth in her career. She struck out two, walked two, induced seven groundouts, and threw 68 pitches.
 
   Char Lorenz led the offense with a 2-for-2 day, including her sixth home run of the season, which drove in two and accounted for two runs. Jalia Lassiter added a two-run blast, her seventh of the season, while Destiny Harris collected two RBIs on her lone hit. LSU totaled six hits, with Kylee Edwards and Rylie Johnson each adding a base knock.
 
   UL Lafayette’s pitchers struggled with control, issuing seven walks and recording no strikeouts over three pitchers. Starter Julianne Tipton fell to 4-5 after allowing three runs on one hit and three walks in one inning.
 
   After a scoreless first inning for both clubs, LSU batted a round in the second, scoring five runs on two hits, and forced two pitching changes. The Tigers loaded the bases on walks with no outs before ULL elected to make its first change. Bethaney Noble, the new pitcher, gave up a single to Harris, who plated two runs; Avery Hodge was credited with an RBI groundout, and Lassiter hit a two-run shot, giving LSU the 5-0 advantage. Sage Hoover entered the circle for ULL after LSU drew its fourth walk of the inning and recorded the final two outs.  
 
   Heavener worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the second, ending with her first strikeout. LSU then loaded the bases and added a run with Sierra Daniel’s RBI hit-by-pitch for a 6-0 lead after three.
 
   The Tigers hit their second two-run homer in the fourth with Lorenz’s blast, her second hit. The defense kept UL Lafayette scoreless with consecutive three-up, three-down innings to secure the 8-0 run-rule win.
 
Up Next
   LSU returns to league play with a three-game series against Ole Miss on April 17-19, at Tiger Park.