LSU DAILY NEWS

Sometimes the best journeys come full circle. For Madison and Mackenzie Pickens, that journey began at Buford High School in Flowery Branch, Georgia, where they helped continue one of the nation’s premier softball programs. It then split into separate paths at Louisville and Ole Miss before leading them back to the same dugout in Baton Rouge.

When Mickey Winchell entered the transfer portal, she wasn’t simply looking for a new place to play softball. She was looking for a program that could challenge her, develop her, and give her an opportunity to compete for championships during the final season of her college career. She found that at LSU.

As LSU softball closes the book on its 15th season under Beth Torina, it’s important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture of what this program has consistently been under her leadership. The Tigers just reached another Super Regional in 2026, continuing a run of postseason consistency that very few programs nationally have matched over the last decade and a half.

The 2028 standout out of Ontario, Ohio has put together one of the more complete offensive profiles you will find at this level. Through 89 plate appearances this season, Dawson is hitting .508 with a .618 on-base percentage and a 1.787 OPS. She has already driven 11 balls out of the yard while adding 6 doubles and 2 triples, pairing impact power with consistent barrel control.