Cala Wilson makes LSWA All-State Team
Photo by Josh McDaniel Ruston's Cala Wilson was named to the LSWA 5A All-State Softball Team on Tuesday.
Cala Wilson can add one more honor to close out her standout softball career for Ruston High.
Wilson, the Lady Bearcats’ leadoff hitter and top pitcher, was named to the Class 5A All-State Softball Team at the utility position by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association on Tuesday, becoming the first RHS softball player since Harlie Robinson (2017) to make the all-state team.
With a .574 batting average – the best of all 5A all-state selections – Wilson finished with 61 hits, 45 RBIs, 14 doubles and 15 home runs – a single season record for Ruston softball. When she wasn’t slugging for power, Wilson led the way in the circle with 103 strikeouts for the Lady Bearcats as well.
Ruston had one of its best seasons in recent memory thanks to Wilson, the All-Ruston Daily Leader Player of the Year, with a 17-13 overall record and the program’s first playoff appearance since 2021.
Lauren Garvie, who leaned on Wilson throughout the year to bring the program out of a 4-23 slump, said her star utility is worthy of recognition.
“I'm incredibly proud of Cala,” Garvie said. “I think sometimes people get wrapped up in just receiving awards and they forget that it's a recognition of so many innings and hours that finally came together. I've said a lot this year that I'm proud of what this team has accomplished. I've only had the chance to know these girls, especially our seniors, for a short time, but Cala definitely made a mark. She set school records and dove into working hard for us through all the changes the program experienced. That's what this award is, and every award a player receives, is the recognition of the countless hours put into a seven-inning game they love.”
Along with Wilson, Ruston junior outfielder Morgan Foster (.412) was named all-state honorable mention.
Alix Franklin of St. Amant, an LSU commit, was named LSWA 5A Softball Player of the Year with a .533 average to lead the program to its third straight LHSAA softball title.
Scott O’ Brien of Archbishop Chapelle was named Coach of the Year after guiding the Chipmunks to their first state championship victory in school history – ousting top-seeded St. Thomas More and No. 2 Curtis along the way.
