The LSU Tigers softball team kicked off the college softball season with a remarkable 5-0 start this past weekend, highlighted by a standout performance that earned one player SEC honors. Freshman utility player Jayden Heavener made an immediate impact as she took to the circle, delivering a perfect game in a 6-inning matchup against Charlotte during the Tigers’ season opener.
For her impressive efforts, the SEC recognized Heavener as the co-Freshman of the Week, sharing the accolade with Florida’s Taylor Shumaker. Over the course of the game, Heavener was superb, striking out 13 of the 18 batters she faced, leaving no one from Charlotte’s roster able to contend with her exceptional skills on the mound.
This remarkable display was precisely what LSU hoped for, as the Tigers dominated their weekend matches, achieving victories over Charlotte (twice), Central Arkansas (twice), and Southeastern Louisiana. After missing the NCAA Softball Tournament last year, breaking a three-year streak dating back to 2006 (excluding the canceled 2020 season), LSU aims to reestablish itself as a top program in the sport. Bringing in a player like Heavener should bolster their status further as one of the elite teams in college softball.
Looking ahead, LSU faces a challenging weekend with ranked matchups against Northwestern and Virginia Tech on the horizon for the Tigers.
