ALEXANDRIA, La. – The No. 21 Louisiana State University of Alexandria softball team opens the 2025 season in the LCU Softball Tournament, hosted at Champions Park in Lecompte, La.
"We are super excited about getting the opportunity to get back on the field against an opponent other than ourselves," LSU Head Coach Trent Partridge said. "We face a good Webber team Thursday, that will be a good test for us to open the season. Friday, we play a Central Baptist team that is year in and year out in the postseason. It's going to be a great opening weekend."
The Generals finished with a 38-14 record in 2024, including a 20-6 mark in RRAC play, and made an appearance in the NAIA Opening Round.
SCOUTING WEBBER INTERNATIONAL (FLA.)
Webber finished the 2024 season with a record of 22-28, including a 6-14 record in the Sun Conference.
Thalia Romero returns to the lineup after leading Webber's offense last season. Romero slashed .385/.429/.556 in 49 games. She hit two home runs and drove in a team-high 23 runs. Webber hit .258 last season as a team. They hit eight home runs and drove in 156 runs. On the basepath, they stole 66 bases in 79 chances.
In the circle, Taylor Thomas returns for her junior season. She made 16 starts and 19 appearances in 2024 with a record of 6-11. Thomas held an ERA of 2.39 and WHIP of 1.41. Opposing hitters posted an average of .249 against the right-hander and she struck out 91. As a unit, Webber posted a team ERA of 3.10 and a WHIP of 1.60.
The Generals are 1-0 against Webber all-time. LSUA recorded a 7-5 victory on March 6, 2021.
First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM on Thursday, January 30, at Champions Park.
WATCH
SCOUTING CENTRAL CHRISTIAN
The Tigers posted a 15-32 record in 2024. They were 8-28 in SAC play.
As a team, Central Christian posted an average of .247 and an on-base percentage of .317. They hit just three home runs. Camryn Frick returns as the leading hitter for the Tigers. She hit .325 over 36 games with an on-base percentage of .373 and a slugging percentage of .333.
Madalyn Griffin made 17 appearances in the circle for the Tigers, including 12 starts. She went 3-8 with one save over 77 innings of work. Griffin posted an ERA of 4.64. She hurled six complete games and one shutout. Opponents hit .311 off of Griffin. The Tigers posted a 5.35 ERA as a team.
It is the first time LSUA and Central Christian have faced each other.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM on Friday, January 31, at Champions Park.
LIVE STATS
SCOUTING CENTRAL BAPTIST
The Mustangs posted a 32-22 record in 2024, including a 14-4 mark in AMC play.
Kori Truelove returns to the Mustangs' lineup after hitting .341 last season. She tallied five home runs and 47 runs batted in. Truelove also hit 11 doubles, three triples, and stole three bases. The Mustangs recorded a .335 team batting average. They hit 48 home runs and drove in 338 runs.
Alex Jeter led the Mustangs in the circle. She posted 144.2 innings and a record of 15-8 over 27 appearances, 25 of which were starts. She hurled 11 complete games and struck out 63 hitters. Jeter posted an ERA of 3.77 and a WHIP of 1.36. The Mustangs held a team ERA of 3.53 and a WHIP of 1.44 as a unit.
The Generals are 11-7 all-time against the Mustangs. LSUA has lost the last three meetings.
First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 PM on Friday, January 31, at Champions Park.
LIVE STATS
SCOUTING MCPHERSON
The Bulldogs finished 2024 with a 17-25 record, including a 9-17 mark KCAC play.
Kallie Gardner returns to the lineup after hitting .328 in 2024. She drove in 18 runs, scored 24, and hit one home run. On the basepath, Gardner was a perfect 12-for-12 in stolen bases. The Bulldogs hit .279 as a team and hit seven home runs. They drove in 150 runs and scored 188.
Kayla Crocker is back in the circle after leading the Bulldogs' staff a season ago. She went 8-8 over 18 starts and threw 107.0 innings. She posted an ERA of 3.11 and a WHIP of 1.27. Crocker struck out 92 hitters and allowed an opposing batting average of just .234. The Bulldogs had a team ERA of 5.60 last season and a WHIP of 1.75. Opposing hitters posted an average of .311 against the staff.
LSUA is 1-0 all-time against McPherson with the only meeting coming back in 2016.
First pitch is scheduled for noon on Saturday, February 1, at Champions Park.
LIVE STATS
