RUSTON – Louisiana Tech softball placed two players on the 2025 Conference USA Preseason All-Conference Team, as center fielder Alexis Gilio and third baseman Claire Raley were selected, announced by the league office on Thursday afternoon.
 
Gilio, a senior from Colorado, returns for her second season as a Bulldog after earning First-Team All-CUSA and NFCA Second-Team All-Midwest Region honors in 2024. The BYU transfer started in 53 games last season and led the Bulldogs with a .383 batting average and 64 hits. Gilio's 64 hits rank 10th in LA Tech softball history for a single season, while her .383 batting average is the sixth best in program history.
 
The speedy center fielder registered five doubles, and one triple, while recording 22 RBI, 71 total bases, 30 runs, 19 walks and 14 steals. Gilio had a team-high 21 multi-hit games, while recording three multi-RBI games. Her .383 average ranked fourth in the CUSA, while her 14^th stolen bases was the fifth most in the league. Gilio showed her athleticism in the field, robbing would be home runs against Jax State and Ole Miss.
 
Raley returns for her second season as a Bulldog after starting in all 54 games at third base while being named to the All-CUSA Second Team. The Utah State transfer played every inning in 2024 and finished with a .278 batting average to go along with 49 hits, four triples, four home runs, 16 RBI, 33 runs and 73 total bases. Her 33 runs and 73 RBI led the Bulldogs, while her four triples are tied for ninth most in a single season in program history. The California native registered 11 multi-hit games and three multi-RBI games.
 
The Bulldogs were picked to finish fourth in the CUSA with 71 total votes. Liberty is picked to finish first with 99 votes, followed by WKU (83) and New Mexico State (82). LA Tech sits in front of Jax State (56).
 
Fourth-year head coach Josh Taylor will aim to guide the Bulldogs to their fourth consecutive 30+ win season after finishing 32-22 last season and earning his second CUSA Coach of the Year award. The Bulldogs will open their season with five games in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Feb. 6-8.
 
2025 CUSA Softball Preseason Poll
 
1.Liberty (9)           99
2.WKU                   83
3.NM State (1)        82
4.LA Tech              71
5.Jax State            56
6.Sam Houston     38
7.UTEP                   36
8.FIU                      35
9.MTSU                  30
10.Kennesaw         20
 
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