News Summary
LSU softball has announced the transfer of senior pitcher Paytn Monticelli from Oklahoma, enhancing their roster for the upcoming season. Monticelli, a key contributor to Oklahoma’s national championship win, brings impressive stats and experience to LSU after the team’s recent postseason struggles. Alongside Monticelli, LSU has also signed infielder Ally Hutchins and utility player Char Lorenz, signaling a strong effort to strengthen the team for future success.
Baton Rouge, LA – LSU softball has made a significant addition to its pitching staff for the 2026 season with the transfer of Paytn Monticelli, a senior pitcher from Oklahoma. Monticelli announced her commitment to the Tigers on Monday, bringing with her valuable experience and a strong competitive background as she looks to utilize her final year of eligibility at LSU.
The addition of Monticelli comes on the heels of LSU’s disappointing postseason performance, where the team finished in ninth place in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and faced an early exit from the NCAA Regional. The need for a more robust pitching roster has become apparent with the departure of star pitcher Sydney Berzon, who transferred to Oklahoma.
Monticelli stands at 6 feet 1 inch tall and has had a successful collegiate career thus far. She played two seasons at Oklahoma, where she was part of the team that won the 2024 national championship. In that championship run, she made a significant contribution by pitching in the final game of the College World Series. During her time at Oklahoma in 2025, she recorded an earned run average (ERA) of 3.94 and achieved 20 strikeouts over 21.1 innings pitched.
Across her collegiate career, Monticelli has compiled noteworthy statistics, including a 9-4 record, a 2.67 ERA, and a total of 125 strikeouts in 55 appearances. While at Oklahoma, she posted a 2-0 record with a .258 ERA and an impressive .171 opposing batting average across 40.2 innings pitched. Prior to Oklahoma, Monticelli had an impactful freshman season at Wisconsin, where she led the team with 82 strikeouts and achieved a 7-4 record with a 2.71 ERA. Her strikeout total ranks ninth among freshmen in the University of Wisconsin’s history.
In addition to her collegiate accomplishments, Monticelli has also showcased her skills on the international stage, representing Great Britain in both the U22 European Championships and the WBSC World Cup.
LSU’s head coach Beth Torina is focused on bolstering the team’s performance in the coming season. Alongside Monticelli, the Tigers have also signed Ally Hutchins, an infielder from Kentucky, and Char Lorenz, a utility player from Louisville. Hutchins, who has two years of eligibility left, was a key player for Kentucky last season, starting all 58 games and finishing with a .285 batting average. Over her two seasons at Kentucky, she has maintained a career fielding percentage of .900, tallying 74 assists and 34 putouts.
Meanwhile, Lorenz has made her mark at Louisville, where she was named to the All-ACC Second Team and selected as a Freshman All-American. She recorded a robust .368 batting average with a .677 slugging percentage. Lorenz also set a new single-season freshman record with 53 RBI, accumulating 57 hits and 32 runs while also stealing 13 bases.
As the LSU Tigers prepare for the 2026 season, the addition of Monticelli, Hutchins, and Lorenz signals a strong commitment to enhancing the team’s roster and performance in hopes of a successful campaign ahead.
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Additional Resources
- SI.com: LSU Softball Adds Paytn Monticelli
- Oklahoman: OU Softball Pitcher Transfers to LSU
- OU Daily: Paytn Monticelli Transfers to LSU
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Softball
- Google Scholar: Paytn Monticelli
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