After starting her career with one of the top debuts we’ve ever seen from an LSU softball pitcher, freshman Jayden Heavener has most recently been recognized with back-to-back SEC Freshman of the Week honors.
LSU freshman left-handed pitcher Jayden Heavener earns back-to-back SEC Freshman of the Week honors
Thirty strikeouts. In just 20.0 innings of action, No. 7 LSU softball (10-0) pitcher Jayden Heavener has thrown 30 strikeouts.
As if that weren’t impressive enough, it wasn’t until her 7th inning that the star freshman out of Pace, FL, even allowed an opposing batter to record a hit against her. Logging a perfect game in her official purple and gold debut – and the 2025 season opener – vs. the Charlotte 49ers on February 7, it didn’t take long for Heavener to sign her name into the Tiger record books.
Since then, the talented lefty has gone on to record a 1.05 ERA in three appearances for LSU, throwing 199 strikes in her first 330 total pitches in Baton Rouge, LA.
In turn, it should come as little to no surprise for anyone that she’s most recently been named the SEC Freshman of the Week for the second week in a row, only further emphasizing what’s been one of, if not the best purple and gold debuts we’ve ever seen.
“A big part of Jayden’s game is her confidence,” LSU softball head coach Beth Torina said after her historic performance last weekend.
“She wants to make history. That’s been her goal her whole life, is just to stand out, make history, and being the first left-hander in a long time, she has an opportunity to do that, and she’s on her way.”
And make history, she certainly has. Having become the first LSU softball pitcher to log a perfect game in her first career start, it’s hard to imagine a much better start for the 5-foot-6 freshman. Now, it’s just a matter of how she builds on the fast start, as we look ahead to the 44 games remaining for Beth Torina and her squad this regular season.
Through two weeks of action, Jayden Heavener ranks in the top 10 in the SEC, both in strikeouts (30), and strikeouts looking (11), sitting at No. 8 and No. 3 respectively.
LSU softball will take the diamond once again this coming week, as they look to host this year’s LSU Invitational, which will include games against Penn State (3-7), Southern Miss (2-7) and Nicholls State (3-6) at Tiger Park, Baton Rouge, LA.
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