As the dust settles on nine LSU softball players entering the transfer portal, three portal commitments have been made for the Tigers softball team. These three players are expected to make an immediate impact on the softball team after losing valuable players in their respective positions.
Mickey Winchell
Mickey Winchell transferred to LSU for her graduate transfer season in 2027. She is coming from Notre Dame, where she played consistently for three of the four seasons she was there. After center fielder Jalia Lassiter graduated in 2026, Winchell will be expected to take over the defensive reins.
In her senior year, she went 36-for-110 at the plate, effectively batting .327. Defensively, she made only two errors. The stats from her senior year showcase her ability to take over in a spot the Tigers need filled with a strong, competitive athlete.
Winchell seems to check all those boxes, and she revealed in her commitment post that LSU did just that for her.
“From my very first call with LSU, I felt [God] was opening a door that I was meant to walk through,” Winchell expressed through LSU softball’s social media. “As I ended the final chapter of my collegiate career, I wanted a program that would challenge me to grow as an athlete, a leader and a woman of God.”
LSU has been known for its amazing defense in the outfield, and the addition of Winchell is in an attempt to continue that while filling the Lassiter-shaped hole in center field.
Madison Pickens
Madison Pickens is another stellar outfielder that the Tigers are adding to the team for 2027. She is transferring from Louisville after her first two seasons with the Cardinals. Most Tiger fans predict she will be the starting right fielder after current Tiger Alix Franklin moves back to third base.
In her sophomore season, she batted .457 after going 86-for-188 at the plate. Defensively, she only had four errors all season, which makes her fit LSU’s traditional “Outfield U” narrative.
Offensively, she will provide support to the returning LSU shortstop Kylee Edwards’ heavy bat in the middle of the lineup. Along with the .457 batting average in 2026, Pickens hit 11 home runs, 19 doubles and four triples. Her power numbers will be key since the news broke that 2025 NFCA All-American and 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year, Tori Edwards, entered the transfer portal in early June.
With Char Lorenz returning to play left field and the addition of Winchell and Pickens in right and center field, the Tigers are set up to continue their exceptionality in the outfield.
Mackenzie Pickens
Mackenzie Pickens also transfers to LSU after her first two years at Ole Miss. The incoming junior is a middle infielder but boasts a strong middle-of-the-order bat.
Since Edwards has announced her return and fans expect Franklin to take third base, Mackenzie Pickens will be expected to have a tough time finding a position to play in LSU’s infield.
However, her power numbers at the plate should support her push into the starting lineup as a designated player.
Statistically, she had 48 hits and brought in 43 RBIs in her sophomore season in the SEC. Despite hitting .271, she played in the SEC, which will bring the same competition to what LSU sees throughout the season.
Much like her sister, she hit 11 home runs, along with eight doubles and zero triples. Mackenzie Pickens will join her sister at Tiger Park for their junior season.
The Tigers have had a tough time with the amount of transfers in 2026, but picking up these three will be promising for the team to return to Super Regionals and possibly even make it to Oklahoma City.
