The LaSalle Lady Tigers have wasted little time proving that last season’s success is something they can replicate this year. Entering the year as defending state champions, the Lady Tigers have opened the 2026 campaign with a solid 6–3 record while taking on some very tough competition.
LaSalle’s early schedule has featured powerhouse smaller schools, but the Lady Tigers have shown they can compete with anyone on the field. Among their biggest early victories are wins over the Caldwell Lady Spartans and a commanding 9–0 shutout over the 5A Neville Lady Tigers, a statement victory the ladies should be proud of.
Those performances have helped LaSalle climb to the No. 7 ranking in Louisiana, an impressive position early in the season considering the level of competition they’ve faced. This season also marks a new era for the program as longtime assistant coach Todd Long steps into the role of head coach for the first time. Long is no stranger to success with the Lady Tigers. For years, he and Derek White formed one of the most successful coaching tandems in the area, helping build LaSalle into one of the premier softball programs in Louisiana.
Now, with Long at the helm, the expectation is clear: keep the standard high. The challenge will not be an easy one. LaSalle competes in what many consider the toughest district in the state. In fact, the last several years have seen district rivals meeting in Frasch Park Softball Complex for the ultimate prize, with the state championship game turning into an all-district showdown. That level of competition means every game prepares the Lady Tigers for postseason pressure.
Even with the target on their backs as defending champions, LaSalle has shown the same grit, discipline, and talent that fueled last year’s title run. With strong leadership, experienced players, and a coach determined to continue the program’s winning tradition, the Lady Tigers appear poised to be a serious contender once again.
As the season continues, the LaSalle Tiger community has plenty of reasons to be proud. If the first few weeks are any indication, this year’s team has both the talent and the determination to make another deep run in Sulphur. And with the championship standard firmly in place, the Lady Tigers are determined to prove that last year’s title was only the beginning.
The girls took the field again against Caldwell in Caldwell on Monday, March 9 and played district opponent Northwood on Tuesday, March 10.
This weekend, they will play in the Grace Tournament in Alexandria before traveling to Natchitoches March 17 to face district rival St. Mary’s.
Be sure to show up and support these young ladies as they attempt to make history once again. With four state championships under their belt, they look to make the 2026 campaign number 5. Go Lady Tigers!
