2 days Ago
St. Thomas More shortstop Kennedy Stutes is part of the Louisiana connection on UL's 2025 signing class. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save There were a couple of boxes that were checked with UL softball’s 2025 signing class.
The first one is the six-player contingent includes four Louisiana players in the St. Thomas More duo of infielder Kennedy Stutes and catcher Shyanne Irvin, Slidell pitcher Bailey Mackles and Loranger infielder Miki Watts. The second one is all six add athletic ability to the Cajuns’ roster – something that is high on the list of priority for first-year head coach Alyson Habetz.
“We have some talented athletes, which is what I want to recruit,” Habetz said. “I want to recruit athletes. Yeah, you’re going to have some big hitters and some pitchers, but after that, it’s going to be athletes.
“All six of these are athletes, so I’m excited about that.” The two out-of-state players include catcher Natalie Johnson from Mint Hill, North Carolina and middle infielder Haley Hart of Spanish Fort, Alabama. Hart was a four-year starter at shortstop for Spanish Fort High, putting together career numbers of a .
432 average, 47 doubles, 14 triples, 27 homers, 169 RBIs and 183 runs. Mackles struck out 155 batters with a 1.43 ERA in 93.
1 innings as a junior. She also hit .448 during her all-state season.
“She’s got a big personality,” Habetz said of Mackles. “She was homecoming queen at Slidell. He has a high ceiling because she has long limbs and she’s a really hard worker.
“(Pitching) coach Shelbi (Sunseri) is really excited about her. She said she can do a lot with her, so that’s exciting.” Stutes hit over .
400 in each of her first three seasons and combined for 18 homers over the last two seasons. Irvin was the Most Valuable Player at the Division I state tournament last season and enters his senior season with a .475 career batting average with 31 homers and 120 RBIs.
Johnson is coming off back-to-back .400 seasons at Independence High in North Carolina, collecting 28 doubles, 18 homers and 73 RBIs. Watts batted .
637 as a junior with 17 doubles, five trips and three homers. She also stole more than 30 bases for the third straight season. The Cajuns are coming off a 45-19 season.
