Nineteen wins. Zero losses. 

After playing nearly 20 non-conference games, LSU softball started its season with a perfect record. 

The Tigers defeated 13 different teams, some of them multiple times, with some ranked in the top 20. LSU worked its way from a No. 15 preseason ranking to No. 3. 

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It’s the only team left undefeated in NCAA Division I Softball. 

Heading into conference play, most teams can wipe away brutal, early season losses and start with a fresh slate. For LSU, its flawless record means nothing anymore. The uphill battle to the NCAA Tournament starts now. 
“The 19-0 is over … We’re back to 0-0 in everybody’s minds,” head coach Beth Torina said about the team’s mentality going into Southeastern Conference play.

The Tigers will take on No. 21 Kentucky to start their conference run on Friday. Securing victories over SEC foes is crucial in aiming for the Women’s College World Series at the end of the season.

Before that, LSU will have to earn a spot in the SEC Tournament. The 13 teams with the highest win percentages will clinch playoff berths. The road from here will not be easy, Torina said. 

“When we have the entire SEC virtually ranked in the top 25, everybody is talented,” Torina said. “Everybody is well coached. Everybody is well prepared, so every weekend we’re going to have to show up and play the best version of LSU softball.”

The Tigers showed multiple versions of themselves early this season. From walk-off home runs, to pitcher’s duels, to run-ruling opponents, LSU has found ways to win based on the different situations presented. Torina said the biggest key for her team is its resilience. 

Creating walk-off wins against Northwestern, Oklahoma State and Boise State, the Tigers exhibited they can hold off opponents and come back after trailing. 

Ace pitcher Sydney Berzon said these consistent wins have been a motivation “that allows us to keep pushing ourselves because we know we can be that team that can win these games, play against the hard competition and succeed.” 

LSU will have to continue being resilient, especially after losing leadoff hitter Danieca Coffey to a knee injury. She will be out for the rest of the season, but back next year. 

“It was a big loss,” Torina said. “We’re really lucky that we have the depth that we have.” 
Freshman Maddox McKee will step in Coffey’s spot as the starter at third base. 

In the circle, LSU will mainly rotate Berzon, Kelley Lynch and Raelin Chaffin. These three pitchers have all thrown shutouts for LSU this season. Berzon and Chaffin have each tossed six wins for the Tigers and average five strikeouts per game. 

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“The really nice thing is we have three really different looks when you’re talking about Syd (Berzon), Kelley (Lynch) and Rae (Chaffin),” Torina said. “They are very different, hard to prepare for all three of them, and I think that will really pay off as we move forward.” 
On the other side of the ball, LSU’s offense has been on fire, with Taylor pleasants, Raeleen Gutierrez and Ali Newland all at four home runs this season. Pleasants already tallied 30 runs batted in. 

So far, this offense’s ability to clutch wins has been the main strength in early season games. 

“This is one of the most offensive-producing teams that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Pleasants said. “This week, we’re just focusing on getting back into our rhythm and what works for us.”

LSU stands at No. 1 in the SEC right now. At this time last season, the Tigers only had one loss and ended up going 13-11 in conference play. They lost their first game in the SEC tournament and lost in the NCAA regional final. 

This year, once again, time will only tell if the Tigers are the real deal. 

Right now, every SEC team LSU will face is ranked in the top 25 except Ole Miss. Every weekend, the Tigers will be presented with a chance to show they can handle formidable competition. 

LSU, a team with mainly seniors, is experienced enough to know past games won’t define the next ones. 
“Any team can beat any team on any given day, so they understand the mentality it takes to go in there and start the season over again,” Torina said.