LSU softball pitcher transfers to Big 12 powerhouse

Former LSU softball pitcher Jayden Heavener chose her next school after entering the transfer portal. The lefty, who was the portal’s top pitcher, will play for Texas Tech next season after two years in Baton Rouge.

Heavener came to the Tigers with multiple 2024 high school player of the year awards. She is a native of Pace, FL and was heralded as one of the top players in her signing class.

As a freshman, Heavener earned a second-team spot on the D1Softball Freshman All-American list. She went 13-5 as a rookie with a 2.75 ERA and 152 strikeouts through 119.2 innings.

Heavener pitched 139.1 innings in 2026 as a sophomore. She worked alongside fellow pitcher Paytn Monticelli, who transferred to LSU from Oklahoma. With the senior departing, Heavener was poised to take ownership of the top role as an upperclassman.

Former LSU lefty Jayden Heavener is headed to Texas Tech https://t.co/3zLnioUTEy@JaydenHeavener | @RedRaiderSportspic.twitter.com/7RY5fDugnE

— Softball America (@SoftbalAmerica) June 14, 2026

Instead, Heavener will head to the Big 12. Texas Tech made the finals of the College World Series for the second-straight season. The Red Raiders fell both times but established themselves as a national contender.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU softball pitcher transfers to Big 12 powerhouse