Hammond, LA: The Lady Lions are days away from their season opener that will end the long
wait since their last season was cut short due to Covid-19.
“It’s been a huge layover, coaching staff, players we are eager to get out on the field and start
playing games again” said head softball coach Rick Fremin.
The Lady Lions’ pre-conference schedule this spring includes the likes of Auburn, LSU,
Mississippi State, and Florida State.
“The schedule is brutal,” Fremin said. “It is the toughest schedule I’ve played in 20 years as a
coach”.
Sophomore pitcher M.C. Comeaux knows just how important it is for these ladies to get off to a
fast start.
“With how our schedule is in the middle, we really need to come up with all the wins in the
beginning so that if we get to the middle and struggle a little bit it’ll still be okay” Comeaux said.
Senior Catcher/Outfielder Madisen Blackford feels having a team of 17 returners this season is
going to help teach these newcomers the ins and outs of the program.
“Because we have so many people that know and so many people that can get in the back
pockets of the younger girls to teach them everything that they need to know” Blackford
The Lady Lions participated in an intraquad fall world series to help prepare since games were
not allowed this past fall.
“We got real game experience,” Comeaux said. “So with the hitters facing our good pitching that
helped more game-like since we weren’t allowed to play games.”
Fremin feels that the Southeastern Offense will help the team succeed again this season
especially in some of the more intense games. The lions may have lost utility player Ali McCoy
who graduated last year, but Fremin feels some of these newcomers can fill those spots.
“Offense is our strength,” he said. “Last year we finished our conference as the leading offensive
team. We have a lot of if not all- of those barrels back except for McCoy. We’ve added one or
two freshman that can fill in those spots”.
After news that the Southland Conference tournament will be held at North Oak Park, the
motivation for the Lady Lions is even stronger.
“Everyone came prepared, and we are ready to fight and hopefully win the conference
tournament at home,” Blackford said.
