Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech is set for its 46th season of softball in 2025, and the Bulldogs will compete outside of the United States for just the second time in program history as they will play five games over the span of three days in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Tech will open its season this afternoon at Nancy Almaraz Field with a matchup against Northern Colorado at 4:00 p.m. CT.
The Bulldogs will take on No. 12 Florida State and No. 4 Oklahoma State on Friday afternoon, followed by games against Northern Colorado and No. 12 Florida State on Saturday,
“We are excited about it,” said head coach Josh Taylor. “One thing is we will play some top competition. All five games come against NCAA Regional teams from last year, including three games against Top 12 teams.
“We have been right on the doorstep the last three years of (getting to an NCAA Regional). I think this is a good thing for us as we will get a lot of exposure.”
The contests can be seen online with a subscription to FloCollege.com/watch.
Head coach Josh Taylor led the Bulldogs to a 32-22 record in last season, marking the third consecutive 30+ win season for Taylor and LA Tech. The 32 wins marked the 27th season in program history with 30 or more wins. Taylor earned his second CUSA Coach of the Year award.
The Bulldogs return four All-CUSA performers in Alexis Gilio (First Team), Allie Floyd (Second Team), Claire Raley (Second Team), and Mattison Buster (Freshman Team).
The Bulldogs will be in search of their seventh straight opening day win dating back to 2019.
Head coach Josh Taylor picked up his 100th win as Bulldog head coach last season and enters the year with a 103-66 mark at LA Tech through three seasons.
ABOUT NORTHERN COLORADO
Northern Colorado finished last season with a 27-26 (9-5 Big Sky) record. The Bears won the Big Sky Tournament and advanced to the Stillwater Regional where they fell to Oklahoma State and Michigan.
Head coach Dedeann Pendleton-Helm enters her third season with the Bears and returns 16 players, including eight starters from last year’s team.
ABOUT FLORIDA STATE
FSU looks to capitalize on a strong 2025 season that saw them advance to the Super Regionals, where they would fall to eventual World Series Champions in Oklahoma. The Seminoles posted a 46-16 (19-5 ACC) record and enter this season as the No. 12 team in the preseason poll.
Head coach Lonni Alameda enters her 17th season at the helm leading of Florida State softball and carries a 919-372 record all-time.
FSU returns two NFCA All-Americans in Jaysoni Beachum and Michaela Edenfield. The Seminoles hit 89 home runs in 2024, batted .332 as a team and scored 456 runs.
ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE
The Cowgirls enter 2025 with high expectations after finishing last season with a 49-12 (21-6 Big 12) record and a trip to the College World Series. OSU is ranked as the No. 4 team entering the new season, while also being named the Big 12 preseason favorite for the first time in program history.
Head coach Kenny Gajewski is set for his 10th season as the head coach of the Cowgirls and has complied a 365-149 record through nine years.
