Knowing her team would again be facing a tough schedule this past season, Kaplan pitcher Lexi Greene was ready to rise to the challenge.
And she did.
Greene had already become a household name in the circle for the Pirates, but she was determined to build on her success as a sophomore.
With the hard work she put in during the offseason, Pirates coach Brittany LeBouef knew Greene was in for another big year.
“She's a game-changer. She gives us a chance to win every single game that we play,” LeBouef said. “The schedule we play is extremely tough and Lexi gives us a shot to win. I trust her fully in the circle. She has the ability to change a game and control the game and that's what you look for in a pitcher. She’s who you want holding and touching the ball every single time.”
Although she didn’t finish to the season she would have liked as the Pirates finished as the Division III nonselect runner-up, Greene was a standout all season.
In 31 games, Greene (24-7) had a 2.84 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. She struck out 215 in 184⅔ innings. She was equally stellar in the batter’s box, hitting .521 with six home runs, 14 doubles, three triples, 41 RBIs and 29 stolen bases en route to being named the District 5-3A Most Valuable Player.
“I think she had a pretty good year,” LeBouef said. “I think she would say that she could have had a better year, but I think she had a great year. Struggled a little bit at times, but she held her own got through a lot of adversity that she dealt with. I think how we deal with adversity is what makes good players and great players. That's the difference between those kind of players.”
For her efforts, Greene, a UL commitment, was named the Acadiana Advocate’s All-Metro softball player of the year.
“I'm very proud of her. She works really hard and she deserves this honor,” LeBouef said. “It's a huge honor saying that she's the best in the Acadiana area. Hard work pays off, and she's starting to see the accolades come together. She wants to do a couple of more things, but this is a good start for her.“
Greene’s resiliency is the circle is one of her best traits.
“When things go wrong, she does a great job of bouncing back, LeBouef said. "But when she's controlling the game, she's hard to hit. She gives us a chance to win any game any time she steps in the circle. Not all teams have that. She's just a competitor. She hates to lose, and when you have someone who hates to lose inside the circle for you, it's a game changer.“
All-Metro team
FIRST TEAM
P - Lexi Greene, Kaplan, Jr.
P- Kallie Gibson, North Vermilion, Sr.
P - Margaret Oge, St. Thomas More, Sr.
P - Madaline Johnson, Notre Dame, Sr.
C - Zoe Harrington, North Vermilion, Sr.
IF - Kylie Boutte, Teurlings Catholic, Sr.
IF - Valerie Brown, Notre Dame, Sr.
IF - Dani Doctor, Southside, Jr.
IF - Liberty Greene, Kaplan, So.
OF - Anna Hebert, Kaplan, Fr.
OF - Aubrey Crochet, Iota, Sr.
OF - Victoria Broome, Loreauville, Sr.
UT - Cate Romero, Notre Dame, Jr.
UT - Kenley Sonnier, Notre Dame, So.
UT - Saige Cherry, Iota, Jr.
UT - Brooklyn Hebert, Northside Christian, 8th
UT - Emiry Jeane, St. Thomas More, Fr.
Most Valuable Player
Lexi Greene, Kaplan
Coach of the Year
Ryan Hanagriff, Northside Christian
SECOND TEAM
Pitchers - Kennedy Leblanc, Teurlings Catholic; Laci Faul, Beau Chene; Mia Mire, Acadiana Renaissance; Catcher - Charli Sonnier, Iota; Infielders - Bailee Hebert, Teurlings; Rylee Hernandez, Northside Christian; Nikkie Devillier, Cecilia; Kylee Broussard, Acadiana Renaissance; Outfielders - Brylie Davis, Acadiana, Jr.; Kaylee Morgan, Lafayette High; Isabella Prince, St. Thomas More; Utility - Caroline Terro, Lafayette High; Grace Hulin, Catholic-NI; Justice Chambers, David Thibodaux; Kylie Dronet, Acadiana; Adli Landry, Delcambre; Aysia Francis, Opelousas Catholic.