Get ready, LSU softball fans! The anticipation for the 2024 signing class is heating up as the Tigers prepare to welcome some truly remarkable young athletes to Tiger Park. With the spotlight on the 2026 recruits, it’s easy to overlook the incredible talent already securing their spots for the 2025 season. Coach Beth Torina is leading the charge, putting together a roster filled with skill, determination, and a strong team spirit that promises to elevate the program.
As the 2024 class ranks No. 3 in the nation according to Extra Inning Softball, LSU has set a high bar. This year, they're looking to sustain that momentum with exciting new talent. Key players like left-handed pitcher Jayden Heavener and middle infielder Sa'Mya Jones are already making headlines—and it’s time to dive deeper into what makes them and their peers potential stars in the making.
The Stellar Jayden Heavener: A Generational Talent
Let’s start with Jayden Heavener from Pace, Florida. Heavener isn’t just any pitcher; she was named the Max Preps 2024 National Player of the Year, adding significant recognition to her already impressive resume. Her senior season stats are astonishing: a record of 25 wins and just 2 losses alongside an incredible 0.44 ERA. These numbers highlight her ability to dominate on the mound.
She accomplished more than just impressive stats. Heavener tossed 11 no-hitters , 19 shutouts, & 1 perfect game showcasing her knack for controlling games. Not to mention her batting average of .433 with 12 home runs and 35 RBIs, proving she’s a threat at the plate as well. As Heavener becomes the first left-handed pitcher under Coach Torina's leadership, fans can expect her to make an immediate impact in the team’s pitching rotation. Heavener ranks T-No. 2 in this year’s recruiting class by Extra Inning Softball
Sa'Mya Jones: The Fearless Middle Infielder
Next, we have the electric Sa'Mya Jones, who has already made a name for herself as a standout middle infielder. Her high school season featured an outstanding .522 batting average, a .629 on-base percentage, and a slugging percentage over 1.000. These metrics illustrate her ability to consistently produce runs. Extra Inning Softball has Jones as the T-No. 2 recruit overall and is the No. 1 ranked middle infielder in the 2024 class.
In a recent interview, Jones expressed that being ranked among the top three players nationally across three rankings platforms was a proud achievement for her. She believes in hard work and attitude alongside ranking, stating, "although I don’t let the rankings define me, I still believe that it is dashing to see myself ranked very high with so many other amazingly, talented athletes." Her stats are impressive: 41 RBIs and a perfect record in 20 stolen bases. At the time of that interview she had just completed 3 HS seasons and had still yet to be caught stealing. Her dynamic playing style—and ability to influence games both offensively and defensively—has LSU fans enthusiastically anticipating her future contributions.
Alix Franklin: Louisiana Girl Elevates Tiger Lineup w Championship Pedigree
Alix Franklin is a local talent out of the prestigious St. Amant softball program where she was a key contributor to 3 state championships. In her senior campaign, Named Most Outstanding Player in the State , the 4x Louisiana All-State selection 3rd baseman achieved a remarkable .533 batting average, hit 18 home runs, and drove in 42 RBIs. Additionally, she was walked 47 times and hit by pitch 5 times. She brings with her a level of power at the plate that has been missing in the Tiger lineup. I would be remiss if I did not include Alix's quote on what she brings to this team: "It's not high school ball, I'm not gonna be the star of the show anymore, how do I help my team win?" She added, "I know the Holy Spirit is producing some opportunities for me to be selfless and just with travel ball, and I'm getting the opportunities. It's all in preparation for the next level because it's not high school ball anymore." Extra Inning Softball ranked Franklin at No. 27 last year .
Destiny Harris: The Rising Star Outfielder with Unmatched Athleticism
Our next Freshman star is Destiny Harris the do it all outfielder out of Granby High School in Norfolk, Virginia. Destiny led her team on a deep run in state playoffs. Harris had an off the wall .703 Batting Average with 5 homeruns, 43 runs scored and 48 RBIs and earned herself an All State Selection. In her junior season she only struck out 3 times in 65 plate appearances and had 21 stolen bases. In the 2024 class, Harris ranks as the T-No. 10 recruit by Extra Inning Softball and is tied at No. 5 among outfielders.. When I interviewed recent LSU signee Rylie Johnson who was teammates with both Destiny and Jayden with VA Unity she shared her thoughts on Destiny saying "She has the best athleticism I have ever seen. Destiny has came up in every big time and clutch situation." Josh Johnson (VA Unity Coach) confirmed stating "she has the clutch gene adding Destiny is a kid that can bunt it or hit a home run on any pitch. It's especially crazy because she does it from the right hand of batter's box. So to be able to bunt and still be on the level that we're playing at, it is pretty impressive. On her clutch gene" and "I mean, I've seen her hit. Grown woman, I mean, grown man balls like she'll hit them 300 ft, and I'm not exaggerating. I've seen her hit some absolute monster home runs. There are gonna be some balls hit at LSU that people are gonna remember Destiny's name when she hits them."
Zoe Calvez: Elite Outfielder and Top-Ranked Softball Talent
Zoe Calvez is one of the most talented outfielders in the country and was ranked No. 9 in the class of 2024 by Extra Innings Softball and was ranked No. 4 at her position. In the state of Florida the West Orange High School standout is a three-time FSHAA 7A All-State selection, a four-time FHSAA 7A All-Metro/District Softball Team, and helped her team reach the 7A Softball Regional finalist in 2021-2022 and was named the West Orange Female Player of the Year. In her junior year she maintained a .420 Batting Average with 25 stolen bases, 18 RBIs . Zoe has ELITE speed as shown in the measurables listed int the below image.
Jada Phillips: A Multi-Sport Phenomenon and Top Softball Recruit
Jada Phillips out of Braden River High School in Florida is a three-time Player of the Year Offensive and Defensive MVP and two-time All-State selection. She is the epitome of what you would call a MULTI sport athlete. Phillips has competed at the highest levels of softball, Olympic Weightlifting, 4x100 , 4x200 , Javelin and was named 2022 NSCA All American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year. At the time she committed she shared her stats with me Freshman and Sophomore stats as she chose to opt out of playing for her High School and focused on Club Ball and other sports her Junior year. Boasting a .479 Batting Average 69 hits, 51 RBI, 24 Doubles, 12 Triples, 12 HR, .587 OBP , 1.112 SLG, 1.700 OPS, 51 Stolen bases, .990 fielding %, ONLY 2 errors in 192 TC at Shortstop with 7 Double plays. Phillips is ranked as the T-No. 2 recruit by Extra Inning Softball and is the highest-ranked catcher in the 2024 class.
Note : Heaver , Jones and Phillips were all tied for the No.2 ranking by Extra Inning softball
Beth Torina's Thoughts On This Class When They Signed
When reflecting on her 2025 class, Coach Beth Torina shared her enthusiasm for this new group of athletes. "From speed to power and everything in between elite pitching, catching, and defense all over the field – this class has it" she remarked. She added "This is one of the strongest classes to sign with LSU and one of the strongest in the country in the 2024 class. We can’t wait for their arrival in Baton Rouge and immediate impact on this program and SEC softball. We are incredibly proud of this group and look forward to them becoming Tigers for life."
Now they are here and have joined the team and already making their presence felt.
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