No. 5 Lutheran South Pioneers
The Lutheran South Pioneers are coming off a 14-win season, which saw them reach the Regional Round of the playoffs. Seven starters return for Nicole Andrade’s crew as they look to make a run at the TAPPS State Tournament. Andrade is in line to get her 100th career coaching victory in 2024.
Katiana Maldonado (Southern University) returns with the big bat after hitting .672 with 13 homers and 54 RBIs a year ago. Texas Lutheran-commit Caroline Ledbetter is back after a second-team, all-district performance in 2023.
Other key returners for the Pioneers include Addi Smith (.677, 29 SB, Second-Team, All-State), Lauren Brown (.533, 37 RBIs, Honorable Mention, All-State) and Briana Collazo, who is coming back from an injury. Brown and freshman Jill Whitehead will be leaned on to hold it down in the circle.
“I am looking for my junior and senior class to lead the team,” Andrade said. “We have a big freshman class that we are looking to fill in the gaps for us this season along with the returners.”