THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,804 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,804 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Softball  | General | 4/19/2022

TLU Softball Proves Talent is Everywhere

Jerry Miller
Photo: Kelly Jurden (Perfect Game)
SEGUIN, Texas -- As winter, thankfully, gives way to spring and warmer weather, fastpitch softball in the many high school and college programs across the country moves towards the conclusion of conference and league play. Teams, regardless of their level of competition, are testing their skill against equally determined opponents, as each battle towards the excitement of the postseason. One would not have to venture very far from home to find a well-played, highly entertaining game.

There are 296 NCAA D-I softball programs and 6,168 players participating at that level this spring across the country. Some 360,000 high schoolers play softball as well. On average, Division-I programs offer three to five (usually partial) scholarship opportunities a year to incoming freshmen. Travel squads from 20-25, vary from conference to conference, so the reality of actually getting the opportunity to play D-I softball for the vast majority of high school players, is marginal at best. Understanding the aforementioned math, high schoolers need to grasp the very real fact that there is a very small chance for a NCAA D-I roster spot. Hope and opportunity to compete, and compete at a high level, does however exist beyond high school.



There are over 1,400 colleges and universities playing softball that are not NCAA Division-I schools. Most of those schools play at the NCAA Division-III (400+) and junior/community college (500+) levels. Many of those schools are top institutions of higher learning that field highly competitive athletic programs in general, and top-flight softball teams, in particular. There are many D-III schools that could not only compete athletically at the D-I level but could win and/or at least give the “big” schools all they could handle. Look no further than Texas Lutheran University and their tradition rich, highly successful fastpitch program.

Nestled among the many crooked live oaks and old growth pecan trees that are prevalent in the south central town of Seguin (sih-GEEN), sits the immaculately pristine Texas Lutheran University campus. Seguin is a short 30 minute drive east of San Antonio and sits right off Interstate 10. The Guadalupe River that runs through the city is a welcomed haven for many vacationers. TLU is a source of pride for this town of 25,000 and the community rallies around all things Texas Lutheran.

Texas Lutheran University is not unlike the many private institutions of higher learning that dot the United States landscape. With an undergraduate enrollment of around 1,400, TLU, founded in 1891, is associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. It is acclaimed throughout the region, offering 27 majors, 37 minors, and 64 specializations. TLU is ranked in the top five best West Regional Universities in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report. There are many schools just like Texas Lutheran scattered all across the nation that offer quality education and an opportunity to play ball, however, few play at the level of TLU.

TLU is an established and respected institution. It has an endowment of $80 million. The University boasts numerous alumni that have made their mark following graduation. Most notable among their former students is 1984 Olympic volleyball silver medalist Laurie Corbelli, who was the head volleyball coach at Texas A&M from 1993 to 2017. Another highly recognizable former Texas Lutheran Bulldog, especially to fans of college football, is long time TV voice and National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Famer, Verne Lundquist.

The black and gold clad TLU program is a force in Division-III softball. They are members of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. Member schools in the SCAC are Trinity University (San Antonio), St. Thomas University (Houston), Schreiner University (Kerrville), Southwestern University (Georgetown) Centenary College (Shreveport), Austin College (Sherman) and The University of Dallas (Irving). As of this writing, the 2022 Bulldogs are 32-4 and unscathed (18-0) in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play. With one conference series remaining, a home match-up with second place Trinity (18-17, 13-4), the Bulldogs have already wrapped up another SCAC title. TLU has won eight straight SCAC titles (including this year) and are riding a 59-game conference winning streak.

TLU is currently ranked No. 3 in the country in the NFCA coach’s poll. Over the past 11 seasons, the ‘Dogs, headed by veteran skipper Wade Wilson, have posted an unreal record of 337-73 (.821). During that same time, the program is 185-16 (.920) in conference play. They have never lost a SCAC series. That impressive streak dates back to their entrance into the league in 2014.

Coach Wilson, a native of nearby Cuero, Texas, is the all-time victories leader at TLU and the most successful coach in the school’s illustrious competitive history, regardless of sport. His 2019 TLU club captured the NCAA Division-III championship – the first ever national title in school history. The 2021 team reached the national championship series, dropping a heart-breaking third game to Virginia Wesleyan, finishing as national runners-up. Coach Wilson’s staff (Olivia Van Hook, Ed Zarzabal, James Fuqua, Scott Smith) is experienced, organized, and learned. They are the envy of many coaching groups in the country. This highly gifted collection of professional instructors was named the 2019 and 2021 West Regional Staff of the Year and the NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year in 2019.

Maybe even more impressive than TLU’s on-field accomplishments, is the program’s collective efforts in the classroom. The Texas Lutheran softball program has had 11 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, two NCAA Division III Elite 90 winners, and over 100 Academic All-Conference honorees. Amanda Lochte was the 2017 Division III Academic All-American of the Year.

The 2022 edition of the TLU Bulldogs is a juggernaut, and they are on a mission. They carry themselves with a champion’s confidence. They are not outwardly arrogant or conceited. They collectively approach each contest with a plan and they execute. And do they ever execute. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that they appear to truly enjoy playing the game and being a part of this nationally recognized program. No one player is more or less important than the other. That approach and direction obviously flows from their coaching staff, but the young people who don the uniform are the ones who make this all happen. There is an obvious, almost palpable pride in being a Texas Lutheran softball player.

At first glance, the ‘Dogs look like a Division-I program. They are athletic and strong. It is apparent that they have put the time into ready themselves for the long haul of an NCAA season that starts competition in February and for this program, ends sometime in late May or early June. It is obvious, even to an untrained eye, that this group knows where the weight room is, and they know how to use it. They are twitchy and fast, sleek, and powerful, and they have individual and collective skill ability usually found in only the very best programs in the country.

In a quick three-game set this past Thursday and Friday in Irving against SCAC opponent University of Dallas, the Bulldogs made fairly short work against a try-hard, but out-manned Crusader nine. TLU won Thursday’s contest 8-0, in a game shortened to five innings by the NCAA run-rule. The ‘Dogs cruised to an easy 10-0, five inning, run-rule win in the first of Friday’s doubleheader before capturing a 4-1 in the series finale on the back end of Friday’s double dip. The UD club did not get a run across the plate until the bottom of the fifth of the final contest. To the Dallas Crusaders credit, they never quit. Their efforts were consistent. They just ran up against a program that is hyper-focused, well-coached, and has their sights set on a long playoff run.

Like most upper echelon fastpitch programs, TLU’s strength starts in the circle and behind the plate. Pitching coach James Fuqua, has a staff that could rival any program in the country regardless of playing level. He has instilled in his young hurlers a simple approach. The talented group that toed the pitcher’s plate in Irving, are all power pitchers who can spin the ball. They work with a pronounced pace and rhythm. They work ahead. They pound the zone, changing eye levels, and pitching to both edges and all four quadrants of the plate with at least four advanced pitches. They are really good!

Sydney Ouellette started and finished the game one TLU win and picked up a save in game three, in closing out the TLU sweep of UD. She was dominant. The 5-foot-9 right-hander only allowed two hits in her masterful complete game win. One of those knocks was in the first inning and came off the only mistake she made all day when she left a changeup in the middle of the plate. That bloop single was the only ball that UD got out of the infield. Ouellette is poised, cool, and calm and pitches with a style that gets her team off the field quickly. No one would ever give Sydney the “crafty” moniker. She is shear power and she is going to fill up the zone with strikes. If hitters aren’t ready to swing when they step into the box against TLU’s power righty, they better be prepared to go grab some bench, as their time at the dish will be short lived.

Every bit the equal of Ouellette was TLU’s game two starter, Ashlyn Strother. The 5-foot-7 righty utilizes the same approach as Ouellette. Where Ouelette is more of a north-south hurler who mixes in just enough changeup and in and out offerings to keep hitters guessing, Stroher is more east-west, showing a certain ability to power pitches to either side of the plate. An at-bat against Strother looks very uncomfortable. She works the outer half of the dish and gets hitter’s eyes looking away and then busts them inside, getting no swings or give-up passes. She only allowed two hits on the day and struck out eight, including five in a row to end the contest.

As if the starters that TLU ran out to the circle in games one and two weren’t dominant enough, Coach Wilson and Coach Fuqua had more of the same style ready for game three. The coaching staff tag-teamed the last win of the series with solid pitchers who could be frontline hurlers for just about any other D-III staff in the country.

Amanda White is a 5-foot-10 righty who has a deceptive operation and a powerful mix, working both rivers and all quadrants. Her long levers, big reach, and solid four pitch mix helps her fill the zone up with offerings that appear to get on hitters before they are ready to swing the bat. She only allowed a couple of scratch hits in her four innings of work. She, like Ouelette and Strother, is a strike thrower who gets ahead, stays ahead, and puts hitters away.

Lefty Madison Johnson, who started in right field in games one and two and is an integral part of the TLU offense, showed her versatility as she pitched the next couple of innings for the ‘Dogs in relief of White in game three. The 5-foot-5 southpaw can spin it. She works both edges of the plate with pitches that are heavy and have late life. She hides the ball well and her pitches appear to jump on hitters. Johnson is a great compliment to the dominant righties that TLU runs out to the circle. Her ability to not only pitch, but pitch with a presence, could pay big dividends for Coach Wilson and Coach Fuqua as TLU moves through the playoff season.

The glue that holds the talented TLU pitching staff together is their gifted catcher, Sarah Metzer. Metzer caught every pitch of the TLU series against Dallas and was seemingly flawless. The 5-foot-9 backstop is phenomenal with the glove. In scouting vernacular, she is an elite “catch and throw” receiver. She is an advanced framer of pitches and keeps her staff focused and engaged. Her arm is strong and accurate and her quick trigger limits opposition running games. She, along with the outstanding Bulldog pitching staff and airtight TLU defense, helps limit any big inning. Sarah is a true field general and guides a near perfect Texas Lutheran defensive effort.

Offensively, the Bulldogs are aggressive without being reckless. They put pressure on opponents pitching staffs and defenses getting off the bus. Texas Lutheran has no holes in a strong top-to-bottom lineup. The customary starting group has earned their accolades and has a forceful presence that should carry them deep into the 2022 playoffs. Their reserves can also swing the bat. It would not be a big stretch to say that TLU’s next nine players, after their starting group, could impact any lineup in the SCAC. The TLU program, especially at the plate, is deep and talented. They play with a confidence rarely found at this level. Hitting coach Scott Smith, a renowned and highly respected softball instructor, is a great sounding board for the Bulldog team. He imparts his knowledge to the TLU hitters in a way that is concise and makes sense to young and gifted competitors.

At the top of the Texas Lutheran lineup is a star, and a player who could impact any lineup at any level, and that includes the very best Division-I clubs. Kelly Jurden is the NCAA Division-III career stolen bases leader. That is worth repeating...No player in the history of competitive softball at the D-III level has stolen more bags. That footnote speaks highly of a couple of specific attributes; the ability to get on base and the instincts to pick the right pitch and get the best jump. It is very apparent that Kelly is the rock that Coach Willson and the rest of the team leans on. It is even more noticeable that Jurden can handle that role. She plays with a calm presence that few at this level do. She leads through example mostly, but also keeps her teammates engaged. She is a gifted left fielder, and her defensive game says a lot about her obvious attention to detail. At the plate, the left handed swinger is selective, understands the strike zone and is especially cognizant of her role. She is an on-base machine. In the UD series she reached base 10 times in 12 plate appearances. She stole six bags and scored a handful of runs. Her approach and style is infectious and energizes her club. She leads from the front and appears to relish that role.

The only other seniors in the TLU starting nine are center fielder Chassity Rains and second baseman Casey Martin. Rains, a switch hitter, is probably the fastest TLU player. Although she only had a few chances in center field, she is a ball hawk. She can cover a lot of ground and has a noticeably strong, accurate arm. At the plate, she shows power from the right side and a solid ability to put the ball on the ground from the left side which enhances her speed game. Martin is the steadying force in the Bulldog line-up and big time run producer for TLU. The left-handed hitter rarely chases and almost always produces with runners in scoring position. Defensively, she is an elite defender who can cover a lot of ground. She helps orchestrate a young infield defense, and like the other two seniors in the lineup, leads through example.

Following the three seniors in the TLU lineup is a collection of young and gifted players, most of whom are freshmen and sophomores. Faith Hernandez is a slick fielding shortstop who hits cleanup and shows a consistent ability to get the barrel to the ball. She is just scratching the surface of how good she really can and will be, and it would not be a reach to see her attain all-American status before her career in Seguin is over. Olivia Prinz, Bailey Hudgeons, Laura Hernandez and Brandalyn Dee are all young, impactful, and gifted players in an incredibly deep and complete TLU lineup that strikes fear into any and all opposition.

Coach Wade Wilson, his very capable and knowledgeable lead assistant and first base coach, Olivia Van Hook, along with the rest of the coaching staff, have done a remarkable job of not only recruiting top-flight student athletes to TLU, but in retaining and graduating them, which after all, is the main purpose of higher education. The Texas Lutheran softball team has earned every accolade that comes its way. For pure fastpitch fans, this group is fun to watch and will leave folks wanting more. It would not be a great surprise to see the Bulldogs back in the championship arena in a few weeks. They are talented. They are driven. They are a “team first” group that strives for excellence. NCAA Division-III softball is pure competition, and few do it better than the school from Seguin, Texas.

For young, up-and-coming prospective softball players who have their sights set on competition beyond high school ball, it would be beneficial to look outside NCAA Division-I competition. The true reality is that opportunity at the D-I level is limited to only a few players. There are plenty chances and a number of schools around the country who play a great brand of ball that are not D-I. Look no further than Texas Lutheran University.
Give us your feedback
Softball | General | 2/2/2026

PG Softball Announce Leadership Hires
Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923  www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    PERFECT GAME SOFTBALL ANNOUNCES KEY LEADERSHIP HIRES    Charlotte, North Carolina (Monday, February 2, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced the hiring of two industry-leading softball directors to lead and expand its footprint in the Charlotte, North Carolina market. The additions underscore Perfect Game Softball’s long-term commitment to North Carolina and its mission to elevate tournament standards, scouting opportunities, and player development across the region. Both were...
Read More
College | Story | 2/3/2026

Conference Preview: Patriot

Anthony Gambardella
Article Image
2026 College Preview Index | Preseason Top 25 | Preseason Collegiate All-Americans For all of Perfect Game's conference previews as part of the 2026 college baseball preview content, the 2025 records and all-conference teams are available for free. The conference top prospects and individual team breakdowns can be viewed with a subscription. 2025 Records Teams are listed in alphabetical order*  Team W L W L Army West Point 25 25 14 11 Bucknell 18 27 10 15 Holy Cross 31 27 17 8 Lafayette 14 35 9 16 Lehigh 24 26 11 14 Navy 26 25 14 11 Preseason All Conference Team Pos.  Name  School  Stats/Notes  C  Ty Deperno  Navy  Named PL Rookie of the Year & to 2nd Team All-PL in ‘25; batted .307 w/ 33 runs & 32 RBI  IF  Thomas Schreck  Army West Point  Named to 1st Team All-PL in ‘25; batted .335 w/ 40...
Read More
General | Blog | 2/3/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 62

Ron Wolforth
Article Image
Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 62, Part 1 Demystifying the Curveball, Pitch Counts, and Weighted Balls - Part 2  Now, on to Part 2 of our three-part series on baseball's most misunderstood topics. We tackled the curveball. Next up: pitch counts. And in Part 3, we'll address weighted balls, another subject where fear has outpaced reason.   Why these three? Because they share something in common: each has been reduced to a simplistic, one-size-fits-all rule that ignores the complexity of human performance. And in each case, well-meaning people have latched onto these rules as if they're gospel, while the arm injury epidemic continues unabated.  It's time to think more clearly.   Part II: Demystifying Pitch Counts   Let me be clear from the start: I am not anti-pitch count.   Pitch counts are a valuable tool. We use them at...
Read More
High School | General | 2/2/2026

Monday Morning SoCal Notebook

Steve Fiorindo
Article Image
Three hitters and three pitchers that really impressed or improved their stock at the Area Code Select at Dodger Stadium.  Gotta start with James Clark as he stole the show offensively, and right out of the gate, with a pull side home run as just the second hitter of the game.  Added a triple to the pull side again, again on the barrel.  Added a single up the middle.  Really showed exceptional feel for the barrel.  Flew out to center field on two occasions, both barreled up pretty well, with one getting lost in the sun.  I’m old and salty, so didn’t give him the double for the cycle, but he was the most impressive bat (easily) on the day.   One of the other position players that impressed, I’ve been somewhat critical of, have spoken with his travel coach a little bit about him behind the plate, but Vista Murrieta catcher Taytum...
Read More
High School | Rankings | 2/3/2026

Top High School Team by State

Tyler Russo
Article Image
As we continue to roll out our Preseason High School content, we look at what teams come into 2026 as the “team to beat” in each state, whether through prior success or talented rosters. Many of these teams will win titles in their respective states, but most are closely followed by other talented teams in their state that will look to take over the label as the “top team in the state” when we update this after the 2026 high school season. State School Alabama Hoover Alaska Service Arizona Casteel Arkansas Valley View California St. John Bsco Colorado Regis Jesuit Connecticut Fairfield Prep Delaware Sussex Central District of Columbia St. Johns Florida Stoneman Douglas Georgia Etowah Hawaii Kamehameha Kapalama Idaho Eagle Illinois Brother Rice Indiana Center Grove Iowa Waukee Kansas St. Thomas Aquinas Kentucky Trinity Louisiana Barbe Maine Fryeburg Maryland...
Read More
High School | General | 2/2/2026

High School Top 50 All-Prospect Teams

Cam McElwaney
Article Image
High School Preview Index | High School Top 50 As we have finished unveiling the National High School Top 50, we now look at the abundance of high-level prospects that make up those rosters, building 3 teams at the Class of 2026 level and an underclass team, all made ONLY from players on the teams across the Top 50. Upperclass 1st Team Pos Name High School State Team Rank C Jorvorskie Lane Jr. Grapevine TX 7 1B Will Adams Hoover AL 43 INF Tyler Spangler De La Salle CA 12 INF Cole Prosek Magnolia Heights MS 16 INF James Clark St. John Bosco CA 1 OF Brady Harris Trinity Christian Academy FL 6 OF Malachi Washington Parkview GA 34 OF Trevor Condon Etowah GA 5 UT Matt Ponatoski Archbishop Moeller OH 35 2W Coleman Borthwick South Walton FL 8 P Gio Rojas Stoneman Douglas FL 2 P Kaden Waechter Tampa Jesuit FL 4 P Bo Holloway Nolensville TN 36 P Joseph Contreras Blessed Trinity GA 9 P Savion Sims...
Read More
College | Story | 2/2/2026

Conference Preview: Mountain West

Joey Cohen
Article Image
2026 College Preview Index | Preseason Top 25 | Preseason Collegiate All-Americans For all of Perfect Game's conference previews as part of the 2026 college baseball preview content, the 2025 records and all-conference teams are available for free. The conference top prospects and individual team breakdowns can be viewed with a subscription. 2025 Records Teams are listed in alphabetical order*  Teams W L W L Air Force 12 18 20 34 Fresno State 18 12 31 29 GCU 13 11 31 27 Nevada 19 11 34 23 New Mexico 17 13 30 23 SDSU 14 16 20 39 San Jose State 13 17 29 30 UNLV 16  14 31 23 Washington State 11 19 18 36 Preseason All Conference Team Pos. Name School Stats/Notes C Walker Zapp Air Force  .330/.420/.579 with 7 HRs, athletic catcher with strong catch/throw ability.  1B  Jayce Dobie Nevada .339/.413/.526 with 7 HRs. Physical presence. On base skills...
Read More
College | Recruiting | 2/2/2026

Northeast Recruiting Notebook

Ryan Miller
Article Image
Jack Nicholls (‘27, NJ) working the 85-88 T89 mph range on the FB w/ some angle & life. Shorter & compact AA thru it. Mid-70s CB w/ good bite & depth to it. Mostly FB attack early on. @PGMidAtlantic @PG_Uncommitted @Oilers_BPC #WWBAWorlds pic.twitter.com/7WYz7ExUPE — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) October 3, 2025 Jack Nicholls, RHP, Class of 2027 Commitment: Tennessee Josh Elander and the Vols’ staff venture into the Northeast to snag an up-arrow right-hander out of New Jersey. Nicholls works from a medium frame with athleticism and present lower half strength. He starts at the belt exclusively from the stretch, transitioning into a high and compact leg lift. Nicholls fires down the mound via a whippy and quick arm action and high three-quarters slot. The South Jersey product works a lively fastball into the low-to-mid 90s, mixing in a sharp two-plane...
Read More
College | Story | 2/2/2026

Conference Preview: Coastal

Ryan Miller
Article Image
2026 College Preview Index | Preseason Top 25 | Preseason Collegiate All-Americans For all of Perfect Game's conference previews as part of the 2026 college baseball preview content, the 2025 records and all-conference teams are available for free. The conference top prospects and individual team breakdowns can be viewed with a subscription. 2025 Records Teams are listed in alphabetical order*  School W L W L Campbell 25 31 15 12 College of Charleston 37 22 15 12 Elon 25 32 13 14 Hofstra 18 36 8 19 Monmouth 24 30 10 17 NC A&T 15 37 9 18 Northeastern 49 11 25 2 Stony Brook 25 27 11 16 Towson 21 35 11 16 UNC-Wilmington 34 24 19 8 William & Mary 21 35 14 13 Preseason All-Conference Team Pos. Name School Stats/Notes C Tyler Smith North Carolina A&T Switch-hitting backstop who slashed .323/.414/.542 in ’25 and earned a Team USA training camp invite....
Read More
High School | General | 1/31/2026

Preseason HS Top 50

Tyler Russo
Article Image
The start of another high school season is right around the corner in a handful of states and with that, as always, comes our Preseason High School Top-50. A whopping twenty states are represented in the initial Top-50, a number that is staggering when you look at the amount of depth some of these rosters have across the nation. Leading the group is St. John Bosco (CA), a team that brought home a CIF Southern D1 title in 2025 and bring back a strong group of seniors to look to repeat. Stoneman Douglas (FL) is a name most people should know by now in the high school ranks and comes in as our preseason #2 team, looking to win their sixth straight state championship in Florida. Orange Lutheran (CA) had a good case for preseason #1 but come it an No. 3, bringing a roster with seven seniors ranked inside the top-200 in the country to the table. Four other Florida schools are represented...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.