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BASES LOADED: No. 5 Lutheran South in prime contention for a TAPPS run
No. 5 -- Lutheran South Pioneers
2023: 14-7 (District Champions)
In a word... loaded. Coach Aaron Schneider’s 2024 Pioneers are an embarrassment of riches.
Let’s start behind the plate. One of the nation’s top junior catchers Omar Serna, who is committed to LSU, has transferred from Dobie to bolster an already talented lineup.
He joins junior third baseman Victor Coronado, who can crush the ball at the plate. Coronado and slick-fielding sophomore shortstop Marcus Cantu are both committed to the University of Texas.
Jaylen Walker will patrol the outfield, while senior Roland Aquillon will be the ace on the mound.
Keep in mind, LSA has won state four times in the past nine seasons, their last coming in 2021. So, the Pioneers are due.
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PLAY BALL: No. 5 LSA setting out for TAPPS run
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.”