LSU DAILY NEWS

Torina enters her 15th season at LSU in 2026 with an all-time coaching record of 710–365 over 18 seasons. She has compiled a 581–254 record in Baton Rouge, making her the winningest coach in program history and the only active LSU coach with more than 500 victories.

Her dominance has made her one of the most coveted arms in the 2025 class. Softball America ranks her the No. 26 overall recruit and No. 10 pitcher in the nation with a four-star, 96 rating. Line Drive Media has her slotted as the No. 2 overall recruit, while Extra Innings tabbed her as the No. 1 pitcher in the country.

Not only does LSU Softball hold the undoubtable No. 1 recruiting class for the 2026 cycle, but the Tigers are also charging into the 2027 class with momentum. Already sitting atop the national rankings, LSU has secured a headlining group that includes No. 10 overall Sydney Gonglik, No. 29 Jewel Cooper, and No. 32 Bryli Seifert. Add in Hope Gaudio (No. 61 overall) and Jillian Wimmer (No. 86 overall), and LSU already boasts five Top 100 players in the 2027 class 

Her official visit sealed it all. Wimmer and her family not only got a sense of LSU’s commitment to academics and athletics but also soaked in the gameday atmosphere. “My highlight of the visit was getting to go on the field before the football game – Callin’ Baton Rouge blasting, lights flashing, players running out, fans cheering… I got goosebumps! I’m so excited to now call LSU my home!”

Sydney Gonglik isn’t just another top-10 recruit. She’s a rare two-way threat, a natural leader, and a competitor who thrives under pressure. For LSU, her commitment is another statement — the Tigers are building a class designed not just to compete, but to win championships.

Gaudio said. “It felt like family and super close, and I knew then that’s where I wanted to go. We had a little break between touring and practice, and Coach Beth called me and my family. At the end of the meeting, she asked if I had any questions. I told her, ‘I don’t have any more questions, but I do have something to say. I’m ready to be a Tiger!’ She was so excited and so cheerful, she almost made me cry.”

With the second commitment of LSU’s heralded 2027 recruiting class, Jewel Cooper has made her decision — and it’s a big one. The No. 29 overall prospect and the No. 7 catcher in the nation out of Liberty High School (Oakley, CA) joins the Tigers as they continue their push for back-to-back No. 1 ranked classes.

“The coaches, the culture, the facilities, and the atmosphere was everything I wanted in a softball program. "Still, the anticipation of September 1 wasn’t lost on her. Like so many prospects across the country, she felt the nerves leading into that pivotal day. "Leading up to it, I did have some nerves just wondering who might reach out and what the conversations would be like,” Seifert recalled. “I am so thankful for all of the colleges that reached out. But every conversat

I think LSU is about to pull off something special again. Back-to-back classes with two Top 10 pitchers, the No.1 outfielder, of the premier catchers in the country, plus a mix of versatile athletes who can move around the middle infield, corners, and even the outfield. That’s the kind of balance you win with.

When combined with LSU’s dominant transfer class where they added some real gamechangers that have multiple years left and will get to play with this benchmark setting haul, Beth Torina’s staff is on the verge of something unprecedented: back-to-back consensus No.1 recruiting classes with this 2027 class that gets underway on Monday.

The September 1st contact window is getting closer and closer, and LSU Softball’s pursuit of top-tier talent is charging full steam ahead. In this installment, we spotlight another wave of high-impact athletes—players who are turning heads with their stat lines, versatility, and championship pedigree. These aren’t just numbers—you’re reading about proven difference-makers who can reshape a lineup or anchor a pitching staff.

“Another goal is to just be the workhorse I always have been and make the adjustments that I’ll need along the way.” Off the field, she’s just as disciplined: academic excellence is nonnegotiable. “I’ve never been one that’s just ok with getting by. I want to be at the top and give my full best.”

In the world of softball there is no bigger day to a high school junior softball player than September 1st. That is the day college coaches can start recruiting them officially. Last year for the LSU softball program it was the beginning of a recruiting rampage that led to Beth Torina and staff adding 5 of the nation's top 11 ranked players per Softball Americas rankings in route to the top ranked class.

In a recent Q&A, Lorenz opened up about her journey, her relationships with coaches and teammates, and her ambitions for LSU’s future.

This transfer featuring Char Lorenz, Ally Hutchins, Kylee Edwards, and CeCe Cellura, LSU is poised to elevate its game further. This article delves into the growth under Assistant Coach Bryce Neal, highlights the profiles of these impactful transfers, and explores how they’ll integrate with core players Tori Edwards, Maci Bergeron, and Jayden Heavener to chase postseason glory.

Under the mentorship of head coach Beth Torina, the LSU Tigers have become a powerhouse for new talent, further demonstrated by last year's Freshman All-Americans, Jayden Heavener and Tori Edwards. With Char Lorenz joining the ranks, the Tigers are set for an even brighter future.

I felt like I needed a change more than anything,” she explained. After taking one visit prior to LSU and having another lined up, it was her experience in Baton Rouge that sealed the deal. “The coaches, we were fortunate enough to be able to go to a super-regional game at baseball and just seeing the fan base." Alex Box wins again. "Just the school in general, everything, every resource that they have is just amazing,” she said.

Ci’Ella Pickett, a standout infielder from Mentone, California, is poised to electrify Tiger Park as part of LSU softball’s 2026 roster, announced by head coach Beth Torina on 2024 Signing Day. At Cajon High School, Pickett earned Athlete of the Year, Citrus Belt League (CBL) MVP, and First Team CBL honors as a senior, alongside three-time CBL First Team selections over her career.

Notably, her .451 on-base percentage (OBP) stands out, thanks to an impressive 46 walks.

Entering her first official season as a player was a massive leap for Tori. The results were impressive: she tied LSU's home run record with 18 home runs and broke multiple freshman records at LSU, finishing third on the all-time single-season list for RBIs with 73 with an .802 Slugging another program record, and .495 OBP which is 9th in program history. What was the key to such phenomenal success?