RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech head softball coach Josh Taylor announced the signing of four new players that will join the Bulldogs for the 2025-26 season, as they all singed their National Letter of Intent on Wednesday's National Signing Day. Joining the Bulldogs are Cali Bennett (Huntington Beach, Calif./Huntington Beach HS), Bradi Gallaway (Whitesboro, Texas/Whitesboro HS), Aleah Brooks (Cheyenne, Wyo./Cheyenne East HS) and Maddy Stringer (Stonewall, La./North Desoto HS).
 
"The 2025 recruiting class is a diverse group of speed and power and a solid mix of right- and left-handed bats," Taylor said. "This class also brings a remarkably high softball IQ and a love for the game of softball that is second to none. Each of them brings a unique skill set that will bolster our program to new heights in the future. We welcome them to Ruston with open arms and can't wait to get started."
 
Cali Bennett | OF
 
Bennett, the No. 25 ranked outfielder in the nation and No. 4 in the West Region, will join the Bulldogs from Huntington Beach High School in Huntington Beach, Calif., where she is a four-year letter winner and a team captain.
 
Bennett is coming off a 2024 season where she was named Offensive MVP and First Team All-League. She finished her junior campaign with a .424 batting average and a .513 on base percentage. She plays travel ball for the Firecrackers Select Rico / Brashear. The California native hit .339 with a .468 OBP as her team won the Alliance Super Cup Championship and finished in 9^th place at Nationals.
 
"We are excited to welcome Cali to the Louisiana Tech softball family," Taylor echoed. "Cali brings speed and left-handed bat that will be a thorn in the side of C-USA competition for years to come. She has dynamic outfield skills and an infectious personality. She is a wonderful addition to the 2025 recruiting class and we are very excited to welcome her to Ruston."
 
She is a seven-time Scholar Athlete and was named to the Sunset League All-Academic Team. In addition to softball, Bennett has played field hockey all four year of high school, with three seasons on varsity. She is captain of the field hockey team and was selected to the Field Hockey Sunset League All-Star Team.
 
Bradi Gallaway | INF
 
Bradi Gallaway, ranked as the No. 13 infielder in the Southwest Region and No. 62 player in the nation, will Join Louisiana Tech from Whitesboro High School in Whitesboro, Texas. She is the second member of her family to become a Bulldog, following in the footsteps of her sister Preslee, who played for LA Tech from 2016-19.
 
Bradi is coming off a 2024 junior season that saw her earn numerous accolades including District Offensive Player of the Year, All-Texomaland Hitter of the Year, while being named to the UIL State 4A All-Tournament Team. Gallaway had a phenomenal season statistically, as the Texas native collected 56 hits, 50 RBI, 15 home runs, and 25 stolen bases. She scored 67 runs and drew 27 walks. The Texas native posted a .483 batting average, 1.078 slugging percentage and a .586 on base percentage. She recorded a .967 fielding percentage, tallying 60 putouts on 121 chances. She led her team to a third-place finish in the State Tournament and finished the 2024 season as the DFW home run leader.
 
"We are excited to welcome Bradi to the Louisiana Tech softball family. She brings a powerful bat to Ruston as well as strong leadership skills," Taylor stated. "She will bring a solid presence on both sides of the ball and will look to become an instant staple in the LA Tech lineup. Bradi is a strong addition to the future of our program, and we are looking forward to getting started."
 
Other high school softball accolades for Gallaway include District MVP (2023), MVP All-Texomaland (2023), Offensive Player of the Year (2022), Newcomer of the Year (2022), Academic All-District in softball and basketball (2022, 2023, 2024), NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete (2023, 2024), and TGCA All-State (2023, 2024). Gallaway boasts a 3.9 GPA, is ranked 19^th in her class and serves as the NHS Vice President. She plays for the Texas Blaze 18U United Robertson club team.
 
Maddy Stringer | INF
 
Local Product Maddy Stringer from North DeSoto High School in Stonewall, La., just 75 miles from Ruston, will have a short trip to join the team after her final season. Stringer has led North DeSoto to two State Championships and three runners up appearances in the title game. She has earned All-District honors each of the last three seasons (2022, 2023, 2024) and was named to the All-State team and All-Region team this past season, while also earning Softball All-American honors.
 
She had a remarkable junior season, earning Offensive MVP Honors after registering 40 hits, 43 RBI, and 17 home runs. She boasted a .449 batting average, while posting a 1.135 slugging percentage. The Louisiana native scored 42 runs and drew 24 walks. Stringer was perfect in the field, logging 92 putouts on 92 chances for a 1.000 percent fielding rate. She has hit 48 home runs during her high school career with over 120 RBI.
 
"We are excited to welcome Maddy to the Louisiana Tech softball family," Taylor exclaimed. "Maddy brings a solid bat to Ruston with the ability to spray the ball to all fields. Keeping local talent in Louisiana is important to our program's future and Maddy is a local talent that through this process kept rising to the top."
 
Stringer carries a 4.23 GPA in the classroom and is a member of the National Honor Society. In addition to softball, Stringer is a three-time All-American cheer leader and has won a national championship in the sport. Stringer plays travel ball for United Albert 18U.
 
Aleah Brooks | INF
 
Brooks, a powerful slugger from Cheyenne, Wyo., will join the squad after a senior season in which she hopes to become a four-time All-State performer. Brooks has earned First Team All-State honors each of the last three season, while also being named First Team All-Conference team three times.
 
Aleah has powered her way to 26 high school home runs, a .538 batting average, and a 1.067 slugging percentage. She led her team to a 27-4 record in 2024 and to an appearance in the State Title game for the second consecutive season. Brooks registered 15 home runs and 49 RB during her junior season. Her 15 home runs in 2024 are a single season record for the state of Wyoming. Brooks drew 34 walks, with 11 of them being intentional.
 
"We are excited to welcome Aleah to the Louisiana Tech softball family," said Taylor. "Aleah brings a powerful left-handed bat to Ruston. She is considered one of the best softball players in the state of Wyoming. She is a strong addition to our roster on both sides of the ball and are looking forward to having her in Ruston soon."  
 
Brooks was a 2024 Gatorade Player of the Year nominee, and a 2022 USA Today Nominee for Girls Rising Star of the Year Award. She has earned three varsity softball letters, and one varsity volleyball letter, where she earned First Team All-Conference. The Wyoming native has earned a letter in choir and has been named the Prep Athlete of the Week on three occasions. Brooks plays travel ball for Colorado Softball Academy 18U Gold-United.
 
SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources.  Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the Bulldog Community Outreach which is the NIL collective that supports Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes. Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today.  
 
BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand.  You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents.  By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way.  Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today. You bark. We bark. Louder together.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Softball, follow us on X (@LATechSB), Instagram (@LATechSB), and Facebook (LouisianaTechSoftball).