LSU Faces Alabama in Tuscaloosa Super Regional

LSU vs – LSU opens a best-of-three Super Regional against No. 1 overall seed Alabama at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa, May 22-24, with a Women’s College World Series berth on the line. Game 1 is Friday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2, and Game 2 is Saturday at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN,

Tuscaloosa will feel different this weekend—because LSU is not arriving as a spectator.

The Tigers are set for a best-of-three Super Regional against No. 1 overall seed Alabama at Rhoads Stadium, with a spot in the Women’s College World Series on the line. The series runs May 22-24, and the first pitch is already locked in for Friday, May 22 at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2. Saturday’s Game 2 begins at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN. If there’s a Game 3 on Sunday, the game time is to be determined.

Eric Frede and Brittany McKinney will call the games. Fans will also be able to listen through the LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates. with Patrick Wright—the Voice of LSU Softball—calling the action. including on Talk 107.3 FM in Baton Rouge. Streaming is available at LSUsports.net/live, and the games can also be followed in the LSU Sports Mobile App.

LSU doesn’t just have motivation; it has receipts. The Tigers lead Alabama in the all-time series 49-44 and have won six of the last 10 meetings. including three of the last four matchups. Last season, LSU beat Alabama in a three-game series, 2-1. LSU also holds a 2-0 advantage over Alabama in NCAA Tournament matchups. both of which took place in the Women’s College World Series. In 2015, LSU defeated Alabama 5-3, and in 2016 LSU won 6-4 in OKC.

As LSU chases its momentum, the schedule alone speaks to the stakes: the Tigers are making their 11th NCAA Super Regional appearance and their ninth under Head Coach Beth Torina. They enter the weekend with eight wins in their last nine games and 12 wins in their last 15.

Offensively, LSU has moved the ball with consistency. The Tigers have raised their batting average to .291 behind 431 hits, including 57 home runs. Their run production has been loud too—LSU has outscored opponents 347-165 this season, including a 185-73 advantage in the first three innings.

Pitching has been the backbone. The LSU pitching staff carries a 2.65 ERA with 12 shutouts and 279 strikeouts in 375.2 innings. In the Baton Rouge Regional, the staff threw three complete games by three different pitchers. That work is reinforced by defense: LSU has a .976 fielding percentage. has turned 28 double plays. and has a single-season low of 37 errors.

The Tigers’ season has also featured standout performers at the plate. Jalia Lassiter, a four-time NFCA All-Region selection, has been dominant throughout the year. She is the seventh LSU Tiger to register 60 hits and 60 runs in a single season. and the first to do so since 2019 (Aliyah Andrews). Lassiter is second on the team with a .348 average, but she paces LSU with 63 hits and 61 runs.

Kylee Edwards leads the Tigers with a .349 batting average on 60 hits, including 10 home runs. Edwards has 43 runs and 40 RBI this season. K. Edwards leads LSU with 18 multi-hit games, 13 multi-RBI games, and a team-best 17-game reach streak. Earlier this season, K. Edwards became the first LSU Tiger to hit for the cycle on April 3. and the fifth player from the SEC to achieve the rare statistic.

Sierra Daniel rounds out LSU’s .300 hitters with a .341 average on 59 hits. Daniel has scored 45 runs, has 31 RBI, and has drawn 34 walks. She also owns a .984 fielding percentage and has turned 15 double plays from second base.

In the circle, LSU counters Alabama’s star power with depth and results. Jayden Heavener leads the staff with a 13-8 record. Heavener has pitched 15 complete games and has five shutouts, including a no-hitter, with two saves. In 132.1 innings, the left-hander has 120 strikeouts and four double-digit strikeout games this season. She is coming off her 10th career shutout in the 8-0 victory over Akron to open the Baton Rouge Regional.

Paytn Monticelli enters the weekend rolling. Monticelli is 9-3 and has been the pitcher of record during a six-game winning streak. During that stretch, she has a 0.50 ERA with 18 strikeouts and has allowed two earned runs in 28.0 innings. Overall, Monticelli has a 2.39 ERA and 62 punchouts in 76.0 innings.

Cece Cellura adds another layer of reliability. Cellura is 9-5 with 48 strikeouts and a 3.12 ERA over 98.2 innings. She has allowed 17 walks all season, the fewest walks by an SEC pitcher with a minimum of 90.0 innings. Cellura is coming off her first career complete game shutout versus Virginia Tech on May 16. which was the program’s 30th shutout in the NCAA Tournament.

The series is not just a test of talent. It is a convergence of histories—LSU’s repeat postseason success against Alabama. the way its offense has built pressure early. and the pitching-and-defense foundation it has leaned on all season. By the time Friday’s 6 p.m. CT first pitch arrives at Rhoads Stadium. one thing will be clear: LSU is here to play for the Women’s College World Series.

For the latest news and information on Tiger softball, visit www.lsusports.net/softball. Fans can follow the team on its social media channels, including www.facebook.com/lsusoftball and @lsusoftball, as well as on Instagram and X.

LSU softball Alabama softball Super Regional Rhoads Stadium Beth Torina Women’s College World Series ESPN2 ESPN Patrick Wright Jalia Lassiter Kylee Edwards Jayden Heavener Paytn Monticelli Cece Cellura