2024 LSU Softball Preview

Erik Trosclair • February 2, 2024

Lets get into it!

The 2024 LSU Softball team enters the 2024 ranked number 14 in the nation. The Tigers are coming off of a 42 win season, the most since 2019. LSU takes on 10 top 25 opponents, but this is something Coach Beth Torina is known for. With Coach Torina at the helm, the Tigers have had a top 10 strength of schedule each season. This team is extremely experienced and has many starters and major contributors returning.


Coach Beth Torina enters her 13th season as the head coach of the Tiger Softball program. She has led LSU to several 50 win seasons, 40 win seasons, and has had many awards winning players. She has led LSU to four trips to the Women's College World Series. Coach Torina takes an "all hands on deck" approach to the diamond, so get familiar with this roster quick Tiger fans.


RETURNING STARTERS

  • Danieca Coffey, IF/3B, Senior, 2022 2nd Team All SEC Team, 2022 and 2023 NFCA South All Region. She hit .392 and stole 12 bases last season.
  • Karli Petty, 2B/SS, Graduate Student, 3 year letter winner at Oklahoma State. She hit .287 including 3 triples and 4 HRs last season.
  • Raeleen Gutierrez, 1B, Graduate Student, 2023 SEC All Defensive Team. She sported a .982 fielding percentage and was part of a team best 17 double plays last season.
  • Ali Newland, LF/C, Senior, 2022-2023 Female Volunteer of the Year, 2023 1st Team All SEC Team, 2023 1st Team NFCA South All Region. She hit .329 and was a perfect 8 for 8 stealing bases last season.
  • McKenzie Redoutey, RF, Junior, 2023 2nd Team All SEC, 2023 SEC All Defensive Team. She hit .306, 6 HRs, and 35 RBI last season.
  • Taylor Pleasants, SS, Graduate Student, 2021 LSWA Freshman of the Year, 2021 All SEC Newcomer Team, 2021 1st Team LSWA All Louisiana, 2021 1st Team All SEC, 2021 SEC Newcomer of the Year, 2021 NFCA South All Region Team, 2021 2nd Team NFCA All America, 2021-2022 NFCA All American Scholar Athlete, 2022 1st Team LSWA All Louisiana, 2022 2nd Team All SEC, 2022 1st Team NFCA South All Region, 2023 SEC All Defensive Team, 2023 2nd Team All SEC, 2023 1st Team NFCA South All Region. Taylor was recently named a Preseason All American. She hit .346, 8 HRs, and a team best 53 RBI.
  • Ciara Briggs, CF, Graduate Student, 2021 2nd Team LSWA All Louisiana, 2021 All SEC Newcomer Team, 2022 1st Team LSWA All Louisiana, 2022 2nd Team All SEC, 2022 SEC All Defensive Team, 2022 1st Team NFCA South All Region, 2022 Rawlings Gold Glove Winner, 2023 SEC All Defensive Team, 2023 2nd Team All SEC, 2023 1st Team NFCA South All Region, 2023 Rawlings Gold Glove Winner. Ciara is the first college softball player to win this award in back to back season, she was the first LSU softball player to join The G Team, and she was named as a Softball America Top 100 player.


RETURNING CONTRIBUTORS

  • Madilyn Giglio, OF, Junior. Madilyn brings lots of speed to the team.
  • Abigail Savoy, IF, Sophomore. Abigail had 7 appearances as a Freshman.
  • Maci Bergeron, C, Sophomore. Maci had 32 starts at designated player and catcher as a Freshman.
  • Maia Townsend, OF, Sophomore. Maia had 25 appearances and stole 3 bases as a Freshman.
  • McKaela Walker, IF, Sophomore. McKaela had 16 appearances and had 6 starts at designated player and 2B. McKaela is extremely versatile.
  • Hannah Carson, IF/C, Graduate Student. Hannah suffered a season ending injury early in 2023. A Michigan transfer, Hannah was a 2022 2nd Team All Big Ten player. She hit .306, 9 HRs, 77 RBI, and had a .994 fielding percentage while at Michigan.
  • Emma Strood, Pitcher/Utility, Sophomore. Emma had 8 appearances as a Freshman. Emma has an exciting future as a Tiger.


PITCHING STAFF

  • Sydney Berzon, Sophomore, 2023 3rd Team NFCA All American (1st LSU Freshman pitcher since 2015 to be named to this team), 2023 1st Team NFCA South All Region, 2023 2nd Team All SEC. Sydney struck out 127 batters last season, which is the most by a Freshman in LSU Softball history. Sydney was recently named as a Softball America Top 100 Player.
  • Raelyn Chaffin, Junior, 2021-2022 NFCA All American Scholar Athlete. Raelyn had a 6-1 record with a 2.74 ERA and 33 strikeouts last season.
  • Emilee Casanova, Redshirt Junior, 2021-2022 NFCA All American Scholar Athlete. Emilee had a 1.34 ERA and 14 strikeouts last season.
  • Emma Strood, Sophomore. Emma has 2 strikeouts as a Freshman last season.
  • Kelley Lynch, Pitcher/Utility, Graduate Student,  2023 NFCA Pacific All Region, a 4 year letter winner at Washington. Kelley has 25 wins, 308 strikeouts, 117 hits, 20 HRs, and 96 RBI in her career. Kelley brings a lot to the table for the Tigers this season.


INCOMING FRESHMAN

Coach Torina has brought in a top 5 recruiting class that is filled with extremely versatile talent.

  • Sierra Daniel, Utility, 2 time Arizona Conference Offensive Player of the Year. 7th overall prospect
  • Savanna Bedell, Utility, 2023 Georgia 5A Player of the Year, 2 time All State, 3 time All District. 14th overall prospect
  • Maddox McKee, Utility, 2 time state champion, 2 time MaxPreps and Extra Innings Softball All America, 1st Team All State, District and County Offensive MVP. 18th overall prospect. Maddox is a recent of The G Team.
  • Tori Edwards, Utility, 3 time District 6-6A Offensive Player of the Year, 2023 1st Team DFWFP All Metro Plex, 2023 Softball Live Texas High School All State member. 21st overall prospect
  • Madyson Manning, IF, All State, 2023 District MVP. Madyson is the only recruit from Louisiana. 29th overall prospect
  • Jadyn Laneaux, OF, 2 time state champion, 2022 NFCA All American, 3 time Region Player of the Year, 2021 6A All State Player of the Year. 39th overall prospect


The Tigers start the season February 8th against Nicholls State at home at 6 PM, you can watch the game on SEC Network Plus.


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