Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
The Louisiana Tech Softball team strengthened its roster on Wednesday with the addition of third baseman Claire Raley, who transferred from Utah State.
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 single-season stolen bases (18, 10th).
“We are excited to welcome Claire to the LA Tech Softball family,” Head Coach Josh Taylor said. “She is a tremendous competitor, who brings a combination of speed, gap to gap power and is a dynamic infielder. Claire is an exciting addition that will contribute immediately to bringing another CUSA championship back to Ruston.”
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 RBI in 134 at bats. She also led the team with three triples while adding six doubles and four home runs. During the season, she logged a career-high three hits on three occasions. Defensively, she recorded 33 putouts and 77 assists while posting a .948 fielding percentage.
Raley made an immediate impact as a freshman, appearing in 33 games while making 26 starts. She tallied 13 hits, nine walks, seven RBI, 11 stolen bases and 20 runs scored. Defensively, she recorded 34 putouts and 32 assists with a .971 fielding percentage.
In the classroom, she was a two-time Academic All-Mountain West honoree.
“I chose Louisiana Tech because the community in Ruston is unmatched and I want to compete at a high level with this team and coaching staff,” Raley said.
Raley prepped at Buchanan High School in Clovis, Calif., where she earned first-team all-league honors as a sophomore and senior while being named Offensive Player of the Year in 2019.
