LSU Softball 2026 Season Preview: Built From Within, Forged by Competition

There are no mysteries surrounding LSU’s foundation entering the 2026 season. The Tigers return proven All-Americans at first base in Tori Edwards and behind the plate in Maci Bergeron, two positions that provide immediate stability in the heart of the defense and in the middle of the order. Those roles are locked down.

Maci and Tori added to the All-American Wall at Tiger Park

But as head coach Beth Torina made clear, this season will not be defined by what LSU already knows — it will be shaped by leadership growth, pitching depth, and relentless competition throughout the roster.

From the emergence of a newly named captain in the outfield, to a pitching staff designed to attack by committee, to position battles unfolding daily inside the program’s own fences, LSU enters the year with answers still to be earned — and strength built from within.

Leadership in Center: Jalia Lassiter Sets the Tone

For the first time in several seasons, LSU has formally named team captains, and Jalia Lassiter stands at the center of that leadership group alongside Edwards and Bergeron. According to Torina, Lassiter’s influence goes far beyond her position in the outfield.

“She was voted a captain,” Torina said. “I think the team really looks to her as their leader. She understands herself really well. She’s incredibly competitive, but she’s also super caring and compassionate. She connects with her teammates.”

That combination — intensity paired with empathy — has elevated Lassiter’s role within the program. On the field, she brings elite defense, an accurate arm, and an attacking mentality at the plate. Off the field, she has become a stabilizing presence in a locker room blending returners, transfers, and newcomers.

Torina described Lassiter as an offensive tone-setter — someone unafraid to dig in early, gather information, and attack pitching head-on.

“She’s not afraid to go up there and figure out what they’re throwing, give us feedback, and attack it,” Torina said. “That’s what makes her so well-suited for a leadoff role.”

With Lassiter anchoring center field and setting the emotional tempo, LSU’s identity begins to take shape — confident, competitive, and connected.

Pitching by Committee, Headlined by a Rising Star

LSU’s pitching staff may be its most intriguing storyline entering the season, and head coach Beth Torina left little ambiguity about the approach.

“We’ll pitch them by committee,” Torina said. “We’ll let everybody have opportunities early here in February and then kind of see what it looks like moving into SEC play.”

That philosophy is a direct reflection of the staff’s makeup. LSU enters the season with pitchers who offer a wide range of looks — varying movement profiles, arm slots, tempos, and handedness — allowing the Tigers to match situations rather than force rigid roles. “I think we have a lot of different looks,” Torina said. “I think it’s a very complete staff. I think we’ll be able to match up really well — up, down, left-handed, change-up — whatever fits the situation.”

At the front of that group is Jayden Heavener, who delivered one of the nation’s most impressive freshman seasons a year ago. Heavener earned Freshman All-American honors after finishing 13–5 with a 2.75 ERA and 152 strikeouts, establishing a high baseline entering her sophomore campaign.

The expectation for Year 2 centers on refinement. With a full SEC season behind her, LSU believes growth in efficiency could unlock an even higher ceiling, and everything coming out of the program has pointed toward a strong second year.

But Torina was quick to stress that LSU’s confidence in the circle extends well beyond one arm.

“Paytn Monticelli has been incredible too,” Torina said. “Expect a lot of good things out of her.” Monticelli’s early consistency has made her a reliable option as LSU evaluates roles, while CeCe Cellura provides the staff’s most extensive collegiate résumé.

“CeCe has a lot of experience — a ton,” Torina said. “She has the most college innings thrown on this team.” While that experience didn’t come in the SEC, Torina emphasized Cellura’s ability to command the zone and work efficiently — traits that resonate with the defense behind her. “She throws a drop ball, so a lot of things are put in play,” Torina said. “She works very efficiently and works quickly. She’s probably a pitcher the defense loves to play behind because she gets us back in the dugout pretty fast.”

The emergence of Tatum Clopton has added another layer to the staff’s depth. After a long road back from injury, Clopton’s command and maturity have stood out early. “She commands the whole zone probably better than anybody on the staff,” Torina said. “Even though it’s not a veteran number of innings, it’s a veteran approach.”

Managing such a versatile group requires more in-game decision-making than Torina has leaned on in the past — something she acknowledged candidly. “It’s probably a little out of my comfort zone,” she said. “But I think it’s going to make us stronger.”

Torina spoke on the incoming freshmen "I think they are coming along. I think you’ll see more of them later as they develop some more. But I think overall, we’ll let everybody have opportunities early here in February and then kind of see what it looks like moving into SEC play."

The unifying factor across the staff is internal competition. Rather than defining roles now, LSU is allowing performance, matchups, and pressure moments to shape the staff organically — a pitching group built to adapt as the season unfolds.

Replacing Coffey, and the Middle Infield Ripple Effect

Few departures loom larger than Danieca Coffey, and Torina didn’t frame the challenge as one player filling one role. “You don’t replace a Danieca Coffey,” she said.

The message was clear: Coffey’s impact must be absorbed collectively. That approach has placed third base at the center of LSU’s most competitive position battle, while creating ripple effects across the middle infield.

That competition includes Avery Hodge, whose background playing shortstop last season allows LSU to explore multiple alignments, Allie Hutchins, who brings a disciplined offensive profile, and freshman Ci’ella Pickett, who continues to force her way into the conversation.

Pickett headed home on a multi homerun night this spring

“She just keeps doing incredible things,” Torina said. “It’s forcing our hand to find some time and space for her.” Pickett’s readiness comes as no surprise given her development with the Corona Angels, a program Torina credited with producing tough, fundamentally sound players. “They really teach the game,” Torina said. “They build tough athletes.”

While third base remains fluid, clarity is emerging up the middle. Kylee Edwards at shortstop and Sierra Daniel at second base is sounding increasingly likely, providing LSU with experience, athleticism, and offensive reliability.

“Sierra is another one you want 22 more of,” Torina said. “She does everything right. Kylee has played shortstop in the SEC for two years. Experience alone makes this a stronger defensive group.”

Outfield Identity: Leadership in Center, Stability in Left, Competition in Right

The outfield picture begins with leadership — and it starts in the middle.

Newly named team captain Jalia Lassiter is set to anchor center field, a role that fits both her defensive profile and her influence within the program. “She’s a great outfielder, incredibly accurate arm, but also just super competitive,” Torina said. “She’s a member of the offense that kind of makes us brave.”

Flanking her in left field is Char Lorenz, who enters the season firmly established after a Freshman All-American campaign. Lorenz hit .368 with 16 extra-base hits, nine home runs, and 53 RBIs, providing LSU with proven run production and a physical presence in the lineup. “She can really play anywhere,” Torina said. “She runs well; she’s got the offense to go with it.”

That leaves right field as one of the most competitive spots on the roster — with Alix Franklin emerging as the early frontrunner. Franklin brings power upside and a strong arm that fits the prototype LSU values at the position. “She’s capable of a lot of power,” Torina said. “She’s got a really, really big arm.”

Challenging Franklin are Rylie Johnson and Destiny Harris, each offering a different dimension. Johnson brings athleticism and defensive versatility, while Harris adds elite speed that impacts both sides of the ball.

“She’s the fastest player on the team,” Torina said of Harris. “She runs a bunch of stuff down in the outfield.”

With Lassiter anchoring center, Lorenz locked into left, and competition sharpening right field, LSU’s outfield reflects both stability and upside.

Forged Inside the Fences

If there is a defining theme to LSU’s 2026 outlook, it is internal competition.

The roster is smaller. The talent is deeper. And the urgency is constant. “There’s been a ton of competition just within our own fences,” Torina said. That competition extends beyond starting roles. Maddie McKee embodies LSU’s flexibility, competing across multiple positions while providing a different offensive look as a left-handed bat. Torina described McKee as the team’s best base runner — a skill that creates lineup versatility and late-inning options. “She’s the best base runner on the team by far,” Torina said. “Just an incredible base runner.”

LSU doesn’t enter the season chasing hype. It enters with leadership, depth, and daily competition forged from within — a roster designed to evolve as the season demands.

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