Tech softball picked fourth in Conference USA preseason poll

Louisiana Tech is represented by pitcher Allie Floyd, right fielder Kylie Neel and third baseman Claire Raley on the 2024 Softball Preseason All-Conference USA team, the league announced Thursday.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 2023 campaign in which they posted a 32-24 record in head coach Josh Taylor’s second season at the helm.

Floyd, the reigning CUSA Freshman of the Year, returns in 2024 after leading Tech in strikeouts (46), innings pitched (128), saves (4), and complete games (3) while holding opponents to a .233 batting average and posting a 2.57 ERA a year ago.

The East Benard, Texas product, put up some of the best numbers in program history by a freshman.

She ranked 10th among all freshmen in innings pitched, sixth in appearances ( 34), and second in saves (2). Neel is coming off a phenomenal 2023 season in which she hit .351 with a leagueleading 45 RBIs in addition to 26 walks, 11 doubles, five home runs, and a triple.

She became just the ninth player in program history to lead Tech in both RBIs and average, while her 45 RBIs were the fourthmost in a single season in program history.

As a result of her efforts, she earned Second- Team All- CUSA and NFCA All-Mideast Region honors. She enters the 2024 season on a career-high 24-game reached-base streak.

A native of Clovis, Calif., Raley arrives in Ruston after spending her freshman and sophomore seasons at Utah State, where she ranked in the Aggie Softball record books in career stolen bases ( 29, 7th) and singleseason stolen bases (18, 10th).

As a sophomore in 2023, Raley started all 41 games and posted a team-best .328 batting average with 44 hits, six walks, and 20 RBIs in 134 at bats. She also led the team with three triples, six doubles, and four home runs.

During the season, Raley logged a careerhigh three hits on three occasions. Defensively, she recorded 33 putouts and 77 assists while posting a .948 fielding percentage.

It marked the most representatives on the preseason all-conference team for Tech since 2019.

Tech was tabbed to finish fourth by the league’s 10 head coaches with 53 total votes, seven points behind Middle Tennessee, who came in third with 60 votes.

Liberty topped the poll with 75 total votes, including six firstplace votes, followed by Western Kentucky in second with 66 points. T ech fans will have the opportunity to meet the 2024 Bulldog Softball squad on Saturday at the inaugural Fan Fest set for 11 a.m. at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.

The Bulldogs will open the season on Saturday, Feb. 10, when they host Saint Louis for a doubleheader, with the first pitch slated for noon at Bundrick Field.