LSU Softball players Sydney Berzon, Danieca Coffey, Avery Hodge, Julia Lassiter and Ashley Vallejo spoke at the team’s 2025 Media Days ahead of the season.
Berzon and Coffey both found a spot on USA Softball’s Top 53 Watch List to win the title of 2025 USA Softball Player of the year. This is junior pitcher Berzon’s second time making the list, and senior Coffey’s first.
Coming off an amazing 2024, Berzon holds the ace position for the Tigers.
Berzon recorded a 20-9 overall record last season, with a 1.78 ERA. She ranked No. 5 in the SEC over 204 innings pitched.
Even though Berzon knows she has large shoes to fill as a leader fort the Tigers, she is looking to some of her inspirations in her leadership.
“One thing I’ve tried to do is just be the leader that the older girls were for me when I was younger,” Berzon said.
“I’ve kind of taken the pitching staff under my wing…I’ve been really excited to be able to lead this group,”.
Senior Danieca Coffey will be returning to the diamond in 2025, after her season last year was ended by and ACL tear.
Before her injury, Coffey had solidified herself as an offensive powerhouse for LSU. At the time of her injury, Coffey led the Tigers with a .404 batting average and a .500 on base percentage.
When asked how recovery had been and how she feels, Coffey was optimistic about her recovery, but still plans to improve mentally.
“I feel 90%, I’m fully recovered but I’m just not where I want to be. Coach says theres always something to work on,” Coffey said.
“I just want to get back to a place where I’m not thinking twice about something when it should be instinct,”.
Some new faces Tiger fans can look forward to seeing in the Purple and Gold include transfers Avery Hodge, Jalia Lassiter and Ashley Vallejo.
Hodge comes to the boot from Oklahoma, where she won two national championships. In last years WCWS, Hodge totaled four hits and two runs to help give the Sooners the title.
When asked what stood out about Torino’s program, Hodge spoke on how the Tigers will help her rediscover her passion for the game.
“For me it was about finding the joy for softball again. I already knew Maci [Bergeron] and Abigail [Savoy], they made it really easy,” the junior infielder said.
When asked what Tiger fans should know about her style of play, Hodge spoke about her personality on the field.
“I like to play really loose, I like to have a good time on the field,” Hodge said.
The Tigers both veteran and rookie, will kickoff their 2025 season on Friday, February 7th against Charlotte in the Tiger Classic.
