LSU defeated Mississippi State 5-3 on April 26 in Starkville, ending the weekend series with a win and avoiding a sweep. The victory came after Tori Edwards hit her 100th career hit and her 12th home run of the season in the sixth inning, which proved to be decisive for No. 20/15 LSU at Nusz Park.
With this result, LSU (33-16, 10-11 SEC) moves into ninth place in the Southeastern Conference standings as they approach the final week of regular season play. Mississippi State (36-15, 8-13 SEC) is now tenth. Seeds five through nine will receive a first-round bye in the upcoming SEC Tournament scheduled for May 5-9 in Lexington.
Paytn Monticelli pitched seven innings in relief for LSU and earned her fourth consecutive win to improve her record to seven wins and three losses this season. She allowed one run on two hits, walked one batter, and struck out two during her outing. Monticelli had a stretch where she retired eight batters consecutively.
Kylee Edwards led LSU’s offense by going two-for-three at bat with two runs batted in from her tenth home run of the year. She also scored twice for the team. Both K. Edwards and T. Edwards homered in this game; it marks their fifth time doing so together this season.
Mississippi State’s Peja Goold was charged with the loss after pitching just under three innings and allowing three hits and two runs while striking out two batters.
The teams exchanged early home runs before LSU took control defensively by turning double plays across multiple innings—tying a program single-game record with three double plays—and holding off Mississippi State’s late efforts to tie or take back the lead.
Looking ahead, LSU will finish its regular season at home starting April 28 against McNeese.
