In the realm of softball, where young talents emerge as budding stars, Ayla Tuua stands as a beacon of skill, resilience, and unwavering determination. LSU's unparalleled recruiting class sparkles with the radiance of top-tier players, with Ayla Tuua shining brightly at its core. Ranked No.9 overall by Softball America, Ayla's prowess extends far beyond her pitching abilities; she flourishes as a dynamic two-way player, dominating both on the mound and at the plate and from speaking with her LSU plans to use her as a two way player.
High School Heroics
At Destiny Christian Academy, Ayla Tuua's statistics read like a fairy tale of spectacular achievements:
80 Abs, .488 Avg., 41 runs, 28 RBIs, 13 2B, 11 HR, 17 SB
135 IP, 0.93 ERA, 17 wins, 2 losses, 5 shutouts, 5 no-hitters, 245 Ks
Her high school performances were not just numbers on a page; they were a testament to her unyielding drive and her ability to rise to any challenge with unrivaled grace and skill.
Summer Triumphs
Venturing into the summer heat with the BSC Bengals-Briggs 18U team, Ayla Tuua carried her winning spirit:
36 Abs, .435 Avg., 6 runs, 4 RBIs, 4 2B, 2 HR, 2 SB
20 IP, 4.2 ERA, 27 Ks
Despite facing tougher competition, Ayla maintained her exceptional standards, further solidifying her status as a force to be reckoned with in the softball universe.
A Force of Nature
Ayla Tuua's journey is not just a compilation of impressive statistics; it is a saga of overcoming obstacles, honing her craft, and carving a path to greatness. With LSU's recruiting class, she now stands on the precipice of collegiate stardom, ready to unleash her talents on the national stage. Yet she still has 2 more years to write the record books in the state of California. power of perseverance and hard work in achieving one's dreams. As she told me some of her proudest accomplishments "Winning back to back regional state championships with my high school softball team. Being the first freshman to win player of the year for Sacramento. She then followed it up as the top sophomore"
Choosing LSU: A Cali Girl's Journey to Finding Home
With Ayla being heavily recruited by the likes of Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M and Stanford ,we discussed what exactly showed this Cali girl that LSU was where she wanted to call home for her collegiate career. She detailed it for me "A few factors helped shaped my decision to come to LSU. First and foremost, the warmth and friendliness of the people made a huge impression on me. From the moment I arrived, everyone I met-locals, students, staff- was genuinely welcoming and that made it very easy to envision myself as a part of LSU." She touched on the connection with the coaching staff "The coaching staff also played a huge role in my decision. They went out of their way to make me feel comfortable from our very first meeting. I love their passion for their team, and I could tell they genuinely care about their players both on and off the field. They took time to get to know me which made me feel like I would be part of a family, and not just a member of the team." She touched on the community aspect as well saying "I also fell in love with the community support surrounding LSU. The fans are so passionate and the energy and commitment to the program is incredible. Knowing I would have that kind of support, plus an amazing coaching staff and welcoming community, I knew LSU was the right place for me."
I want LSU fans to know they are getting someone who will represent the softball program and the university with pride. I’m committed to being a Tiger, eager to win, and unafraid of hard work. I am going to give it my all on and off the field.
Even though she is coming in from the West Coast she won't be coming in Blind as she has connections to the program as she told me "Ciara Briggs,I play travel ball for her parents, Ken and Roseann Briggs." She also has relationships already built with some of the current commits as she says " Karmen Vasquez-we’ve grown up playing against each other and working together at camps. I am so excited we finally get to compete as teammates! And recently, I have gotten to know fellow commit Addi Rackley through different camps that we have attended and I am very excited to be working with her as well."
Unveiling Ayla: The Mental Toughness and Competitive Drive of a Star Pitcher
When discussing what attributes make her a great pitcher and Ayla says " I think my mental toughness and competitive nature are crucial attributes that contribute to my success as a pitcher. I thrive in high-pressure situations and love the challenge of competing. My velocity, combined with my ability to change speeds effectively, keeps hitters off balance and is key to my performance in the circle." She tells me she is consistently at 68-70 mph on her velocity and hit 72.9 mph at an OU camp on the Rapsodo.
On what drives her as a softball player she added "my desire to be the best. I love to prove people wrong when they doubt what I can achieve in this sport. I also hate to lose, which motivates me to push harder. But most importantly, my team. As a team, we work hard for a common goal. I want to give my teammates the best version of myself. "
Main Influences and Passions in Her Softball Journey
Regarding her influences in her softball journey she says "My family has been my biggest influence on my softball journey. They’ve made countless sacrifices to support my dreams, always there for me through the highs and lows that come with the sport. My Papa has played a huge part in my journey. He dedicated so much time to working out with me and helping me develop into the player I am today. And of course, God. Without Him, I wouldn’t have the chance to play a game I love alongside the people I cherish. Their unwavering support has truly shaped my journey."
*** Alannah is a Freshman at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo playing softball.
***Elijah is a Freshman at Folsom High School. He just received his first scholarship offer for football from the University of Utah.
When talking about things important to her she really tapped into something beautiful that you love to see in the youth today as she said "Baking and crochet. I make things for my friends and family, but I learned to crochet to donate beanies to the local hospitals for newborn and preemie babies. My faith is incredibly important to me. Over the last few years, I have been growing my relationship with God, which has provided me with strength, guidance, and a sense of purpose both on and off the field" She will fit right in at LSU Softball as they have a huge focus on community service .
Fun Fact : I have 6 siblings, 2 kittens and a turtle.
Kittens - Honey and Shenzi (Both Female)
Turtle - Tuck (Male)
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