LSU SOFTBALL Adds #3, #4 and #5 2026 Recruits

Ayla Tuua

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Karmen Vasquez

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Addison Rackley

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Okay, here is the roster and my takes. Would love to hear people's thoughts. First I admit I am an optimist, and second that these are just my opinions based on what I know of the players and coaches:

PITCHING: Projecting B+ staff performance, but could be anywhere from A- to C.

1) BERZON is the real deal and the cornerstone of the bullpen. She will be solid and could possibly surpass even her stellar season last year.

2) HEAVENER: First question mark. Can she be as good as all the hype as a freshman? If she can it will be a good year. If she can't the question marks get bigger.

3) VALLEJO: Second question mark. A year off due to injury. How will she return from injury and can she be the kid that pitched against UW the first 6 innings in the playoffs a year ago?

4) CLOPTON: Third question mark: TWO YEARS since she has pitched competitively!! No clue what to expect but she was solid at OSU before injuries.

*Casanova is a bullpen & junk-time relief pitcher. Not built for Power 5 circle.

RETURNERS:

STARTERS: Needs to be a strength of team for a strong season.

1) BERZON (P1): Clearly the biggest returning starter
2) COFFEY (3B): Another big returner. Coffey was most consistent at plate before her injury last season and was tearing it up! If she returns to form it will be a huge help. Was hitting .404 when she went down.
3) REDOUTEY (OF): Steady is how I see Redoutey. Nothing special but she gives adequate production at the plate and holds her own in RF (where she'll probably start again). .303 last season with 15 extra base hits (5 HRs)
4) BERGERON (C): I suspect she will have a better year than last when she hit .254 which was better than her freshman year. Kid has a ton of power but has struggled at times against elite pitching. She is very solid behind the plate with a great arm. This is one of the spots we'd look for a little more power in the line up.

*PART-TIME STARTERS: Who will earn a permanent role?
5) *DANIEL: Sierra Daniel has a strong chance to earn permanent playing time but will likely have very strong competition in the incoming class. No real power works against her but she is an athletic solid Power 5 level player. Beth's reputation for valuing experience over talent bodes well for her. Daniel has great speed and good barrel control though, and Beth usually has a player like that in her lineup (..Briggs, Andrews, etc.).
6) *MANNING: She came on late and looked better than both Daniel and McKee defensively at 3B, but with Coffey returning she won't get a shot at 3B. Instead I could see her moved to 1B if no one shows big promise and power there. Manning is mobile, athletic and didn't do too bad at the plate either. 1B her best shot at playing I think.
7) *MCKEE: She won't play infield. Doesn't look ready. In travel ball she was exclusively an outfielder for the Hotshots so not sure what happened at LSU. Seemed outmatched at the plate against elite pitching too, but athletic and has some speed. Not sure where she will fit in on the team given the talent infield.

RETURNERS FROM BENCH:

1) JADYN LANEAUX: Solid outfielder who may get a shot at the one open outfield spot (assuming Redoutey & Lassiter hold the other 2 spots). She has the make up physically and has shown some promise albeit in limited opportunities. I could see her getting her chances.
2) TORI EDWARDS (IF): Battle for 1B playing time but Manning probably inside track. Edwards has major power, and when she hits it well everyone knows its been hit well. Consistency is the question for her. Having that power is her upper-hand if she can execute on it but one freshman might have something to say about this position.
3) MAIA TOWNSEND (OF): Outfielder who has been mostly baserunner.
4) MCKAYLA WALKER (IF): Got playing opportunities due to injuries early last year but was phased out after some early struggles. Assuming she is projected infielder seems a bit crowded for her to get more fair opportunity.
5) SYDNEY PETERSON (IF): Has been injured for awhile. First year got to play a good bit. Not too impressive offensively but was decent on defense. Don't see her breaking in for time given the talented freshmen and sophomores.
6) ABIGAIL SAVOY(IF): Battle at 1B which likely will have Manning & Edwards above her. Maybe the freshman too.
7) SAVANNA BEDELL: Not sure what to make of opportunities. Haven't seen her much as all. Think she's outfield which there is no shot of her getting on field there I would think, but listed as a utility player.

NEW ADDITIONS:
1) TRANFERS:

-JAILA LASSITER (OF) was a huge pick up! Athletic, speedy, defensively elite and consistent at the plate with some pop! Plays with a fun edge too. Hit .314 at Ole Miss and started CF. Betting she slides into Briggs' vacated spot.

-AVERY HODGE (IF) I'm guessing will be given every right to Pleasants' vacated spot at SS. Probably her spot to lose. Kid seems like an exceptional defensive player, but offensively nothing special. She is athletic and speedy and hits from the left side. Has OU experience including in WCWS but was not everyday starter. Hit .284 last year (.261 as a freshman) with 97 total ABs.

-VALLEJO (P) is other transfer.

2) FRESHMEN CLASS is very talented. Lots of promise and given the opportunities and failure reps I could envision at least one and maybe a couple of them earning significant playing time. Heavener as a pitcher will come in getting immediate reps for sure.

--HEAVENER (LHP): She'll get early chances to show she can be a strong member of the rotation.

--JONES (IF): A dynamic player with athleticism, speed and power, I think Jones has the best shot of freshmen position players to earn a starting role or have immediate impact. Kid seems to do it all--hit for high average, some power, elite speed, good glove and ultra competitive. Will likely battle for 2B with Daniel, given Hodge likely will inherit SS spot. Will her talent translate to the SEC right away is the open question.

--HARRIS (OF): Not quite as dynamic as Jones, but an extremely gifted outfielder who will likely battle for that 3rd outfield spot with Laneaux. She is athletic and has solid gap power. I think she will get a few shots.

--PHILLIPS (C): Phillips will give Bergeron a run for her money if her bat is as solid as it can be. She is a powerful little package being a recent weightlifting competitor. Swings with bad intentions. Bergeron has the upperhand given experience knowing Beth's philosophy and how she values experience so much and the 2 years she has had behind the plate probably help Bergeron a lot. But I wouldn't count the Phillips kid out. She may press for time behind the plate if her bat is good.

--FRANKLIN (IF): Franklin is a physically strong corner player who has a lot of power. Likely chances are at a crowded 1B spot, but may get 3B grooming reps. But to get meaningful time she'd have to beat out Manning & Edwards at 1B. She could hit her way onto the field at 1B. Coffey has 3B locked down this year.

--CALVEZ (OF): Slapper with good speed. But not much power. Fits mold of that touch and go player that Beth sometimes likes. Lack of pop probably puts her behind other OFs in pecking order given not a lot of power on the roster.