LSU Sweeps Purple & Gold Challenge, Heads Into McNeese With Momentum

Baton Rouge — No. 17 LSU softball ended its Purple & Gold Challenge weekend undefeated at Tiger Park thanks to a mix of power, clutch hitting, and timely pitching — and now turns its attention to Tuesday night in Lake Charles.

The Tigers Sweep the Purle and Gold Challenge

The Tigers opened the Challenge with a dominant win over Michigan State, followed by a dramatic doubleheader day where they beat UL Lafayette in walk-off fashion and then took care of Michigan State again. LSU rounded out the weekend with a 1-0 shutout of Howard to complete the sweep. The Tigers improved to (12-4) over the weekend.

Day 1 — LSU 9, Michigan State 0

LSU debuted in the tournament by putting together one of its most complete offensive performances of the season, scoring nine runs and ending the game early via run rule.

Jayden Heavener threw a complete-game shutout, and the Tigers’ bats were led by a lineup that has become difficult to slow down. Jalia Lassiter and Sierra Daniel continue to set the table, creating pressure with early baserunners and consistent contact.

Jalia Lassiter continued her 9-game hit streak while both Sierra Daniel and Alix Franklin were not retired once throughout the entire evening. LSU’s depth was evident from top to bottom, and Heavener’s performance — while not flawless — was efficient enough to let the offense dictate tempo throughout.

Doubleheader Drama — UL Lafayette & Michigan State

🟡 LSU Walks Off UL Lafayette 2-1

The defining moment of the weekend came in game one of Saturday’s doubleheaders.

against UL Lafayette, LSU found itself in a tight battle that neither side could put away early. CeCe Cellura put together a gem of a game tossing 8 innings allowing no earned runs and five hits keeping the Tigers in a pitcher's duel. Cellura has lived up to the billing as a pitcher who can throw strikes and manage a game well as she gave up no walks and struck out three. Heavener entered in the 9th and gave the Tigers two scoreless innings with three strikeouts as well.

But in the bottom of the 10th inning, Kylee Edwards delivered the walk-off hit, sending Tiger Park into celebration and proving this team can win from the clutch moments. Edwards was 3 for 4 on the night with two RBIs and a triple.

That was a swing of confidence — the kind that pays dividends later in the season.

🟢 LSU vs Michigan State (Game 2)

Directly after the walk-off, LSU didn’t let its foot off the gas. In the late evening rematch with Michigan State, the Tigers applied that same aggressive offensive mindset, scoring early and consistently. Monticelli struck out 6 in 4.1 innings and Clopton (4-1) shut the door by sitting down the last seven batters she faced. Destiny Harris notched her first collegiate home run as she went 2 for 2 with two runs and two RBIs, marking another young contribution to LSU’s evolving offensive identity, while Tori Edwards delivered a massive solo home run giving her (4) on the season and lead the tigers to a (5-4) victory.

The lineup stayed balanced, while closing out a second win over the Spartans and solidifying its weekend consistency across multiple matchups. It was a good test of endurance and focus, and LSU passed it.

Challenge Closeout — LSU 1, Howard 0

LSU finished the Challenge hanging on in a pitcher’s duel.

In a game where runs were at a premium, Ashlin Mowery turned in a solid outing, keeping Howard hitters off balance and finishing a (1-0) victory that clinched the sweep of the series. The freshman threw 5.1 innings and only allowed one hit and gave up one walk while fanning four batters. Tatum Clopton would come in to seal the deal for LSU.

When offense was hard to come by, LSU relied on pitching precision and defensive execution — a reminder that this team can win in multiple ways.