LSU softball wrapped up its fall exhibition series with a double-header against Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Chipola College on Nov. 10 at Tiger Park.
LSU’s exhibition consisted of eight games, all played at Tiger Park. The Tigers faced a number of teams from both in-state and out-of-state.
Although scores weren’t kept for the scrimmages, it didn’t stop LSU from showing its true potential for the 2024 season.
Taylor Pleasants proved that she was healthy and in better shape than ever. The shortstop position hardly saw a face that wasn’t hers.
Raeleen Gutierrez was another consistent infielder. The true utility player maintained her spot at first and was a consistent hitter in the lineup.
Later in the exhibition, Danieca Coffey played at her original position of third base and showed off her speed as a slapper.
Karli Petty found some playing time at second, and she will likely have the starting spot for the regular season.
Behind the plate was Maci Begeron, who led the exhibition with a home run her first at bat and continued to show off her hot bat at the plate.
Graduate student Hannah Carson wasn’t dressed out for the Tiger’s final exhibition against Chipola on Nov. 10, as she is still battling her season-ending injury from the 2023 season.
Head coach Beth Torina let most pitchers take a turn on the mound, but it was clear that Sydney Berzon is who the Tigers will fall back on for the 2024 season.
In the outfield, two-time Golden Glove winner Ciara Briggs claimed her spot in centerfield, accompanied by left fielder Ali Newland.
Although some starters consistently played in their positions, Coach Torina took advantage of the scrimmages by showing off the new faces of the LSU softball program that could make an impact in their 2024 season.
These three freshmen made their mark on LSU’s softball program and are expected to be key players in the future.
Sierra Daniel
Daniel came to LSU known for her hot bat, and she proved throughout the exhibition that she is more than capable of hitting against elite pitchers.
Daniel consistently rotated in the lineup, holding the No. 2 spot behind Briggs.
She carried her high school stats along with her, showing off her ability to adjust with each pitcher.
In high school, Daniel was excellent at the plate.
As a senior, she batted .615, logged a .684 on-base percentage and stole 22 bases.
Daniel earned her spot as the No. 7 ranked recruit by Extra Inning Softball.
She rotated with Madox McKee at second and third, playing mostly in the four-hole. Similar to McKee, it’s unlikely for Daniel to see the field next season, but her chances of being seen in the batting lineup are very high.
Maddox McKee
McKee is a freshman from Montgomery, Texas, but she has made her face known as a Tiger in Louisiana.
She is a utility player, meaning that she can be found anywhere on the field at any time. McKee mainly played in the infield during the exhibition, consistently rotating between second and third.
McKee is not a stranger to the big stage, as she was tabbed All-State First Team and Offensive MVP for the district and county her senior year at Lake Creek High School.
She led her team to back-to-back Texas State Championship titles in 2022 and 2023.
Ranked No. 18 by Extra Inning Softball, McKee is living up to her name as a Tiger.
Although it isn’t likely she will play in the regular session with graduate students Petty and Coffey returning, McKee is a face to look out for in the 2025 season.
Savanna Bedell
Bedell is a Georgia native, true utility player and most importantly, a natural lefty.
She played in various positions throughout the exhibition, but mostly as a reliever for Gutierrez.
Her bat remained hot throughout the fall, living up to the high expectations coming out of high school.
Bedell was the 2023 Georgia 5A Player of the Year and helped her team win the 2022 Georgia High School State Championship.
Her senior year, she had a .495 batting average with 52 hits, 49 runs, 36 RBIs and 10 home runs.
Bedell ended her high school career ranked the No. 14 recruit by Extra Inning Softball.
