Speed and pitching were the name of the game for the LSU softball team in the 2025 Tiger Classic. A team with many new faces, several players were given different looks throughout the weekend.
Sophomore infielder Sierra Daniel hinted at the trend of using speed.
“I think we’ve talked a lot about our speed and our athleticism that we have, that might be a little bit different this year, especially on our offensive side, would be a different style of play,” Daniel said.
Everything happened quickly for the Tigers, from the players’ speed, to the velocity in the circle, to the speed of the games.
All five pitchers for LSU showed their talents, but the only pitcher picking up two starts was junior Sydney Berzon.
Jayden Heavner followed through on the big praise she had received in the preseason. In her first appearance as a Tiger, she threw a six-inning perfect game against Charlotte, which is the first in program history.
Berzon threw the whole game against Central Arkansas in game two, only allowing two hits while picking up five strikeouts in five innings. Sunday, Berzon allowed six hits, two runs and struck out four through a full-game victory against Southeastern.
On Saturday, redshirt junior Tatum Clopton started in the circle against Charlotte. She only gave up one hit while striking out four.
In game two versus Central Arkansas, redshirt senior Ashley Vallejo started, giving up two hits and collecting two strikeouts.
Emilee Casanova closed both games on Saturday, tallying two hits and two strikeouts between both games.
Only two games went all the way to seven innings, which were against Central Arkansas on Saturday and Southeastern on Sunday.
Speed was killer for LSU all weekend. If they got players on base, they were threatening to use their speed to score. The Tigers scored runs in several ways, from home runs to stolen bases.
In the first game against Central Arkansas, Danieca Coffey and Jaila Lassiter scored on the same passed ball.
Maci Bergeron and Tori Edwards both hit home runs throughout the weekend. Bergeron’s home run was the first of the season, and Edwards hit her first career home run and grand slam in the same swing. Edward’s home run was the first of three on the same day.
A number of Tigers stole bases throughout the weekend, including McKenzie Redoutey’s stolen base against Southeastern, where she got to third on an overthrow. Maddox McKee also joined in on the action, stealing second right behind Redoutey.
Several players flashed the leather throughout the weekend, using their speed to make plays in the infield and outfield, with many young players making big plays when needed.
In left field, McKaela Walker made a sliding catch against Charlotte on Saturday, and Jadyn Laneaux tracked a fly ball down in left-center field to keep Southeastern from scoring Sunday.
McKee also made several plays charging ground balls at second base with quick throws to make outs, including one where she collided with the runner and still made a throw to first base. The umpires called a dead ball and granted the runner first base, but McKee’s throw still beat the runner with plenty of time.
The new faces of LSU softball showed out this weekend, and several people showed their versatility.
“I think there is so much just left unknown this year, and so many people are in the mix,” head coach Beth Torina said.
These statements held true, as we saw three left fielders, two second basemen and two catchers throughout the weekend. McKee played both second base and left field over the course of the weekend.
The Tigers swept the Tiger Classic, outscoring their opponents 37-2. LSU will play again on Friday, Feb. 14 with a doubleheader against University of Texas at Arlington and Northwestern University to kick off the Purple and Gold Challenge.
