Smith named to softball preseason All-GSC Team
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Gulf South Conference softball coaches have voted, and Lee University is predicted to finish No. 9 in the field of 12 teams in the annual 2025 GSC Softball Coaches Preseason Poll. The top three teams are seen as a near tossup by the league’s leaders. The University of Alabama in Huntsville (103 points, 1 first place) edged out the University of West Florida (102 points, 4 first place) and Auburn University Montgomery (101 points, 4 first place) for the top spots.
Lee’s Javaria Smith earned a position among the 15-member All-GSC Preseason Team. Alabama-Huntsville dominated the squad with four members. West Florida and Auburn Montgomery placed a pair of players on the select team.
Smith, a senior outfielder for the Lady Flames, batted .384 during the 2024 season. She led her team with 41 RBI and a .563 slugging percentage. Natalie Toups, a junior transfer from Pearl River Community College (Miss.) and Rylee Price, a senior infielder transfer from CSU-Bakersfield, Calif. are among the GSC Newcomers to Watch.
Javaria Smith, a senior outfielder and sports management major, earned a position among the 15-member All-GSC Preseason Team.
Russel in 23rd year as head coach
Coach Emily Russell enters her 23rd year of directing Lady Flames’ softball. The veteran skipper will be seeking to replace Laney Harris (.362 batting average), Anne Ormsby (.345 BA), Kylie Bohl (.321 BA) and Shelby Cole. She welcomes new recruits or transfer Toups (mentioned earlier), Kaylee Wilson, a sophomore outfielder/utility player who comes from Piedmont College and Ana Macha, a senior who returns to Lee for her senior year after playing a season at Indiana State.
Looking at key returns
Seniors Alexa Scalzo and Smith are no doubt key returning players for the 2025 Lady Flames. Both were the leading hitters for last season’s team, batting .384. Rylie Goodridge is battling an injury, but is slated to return to the infield at some point. Hailey Simco is a catcher/utility player who played in all 46 games last year and hit a solid .294 with 47 runs scored. Madison Barnett is a graduate student and a left-handed pitcher while Natalie Pruitt Geesey is also a graduate student and a lefty who play two seasons for a very good Chattanooga State team. Last year she pitched in seven games for Lee, posting a 3-1 record.
Russell Talks About Infield
“We are going to start the year with limited availability for (senior) Goodridge because of an injury and that will affect the lineup options but should be to full strength within the month. We have athletes that can play a few infield positions so we will have options. The lineup will dictate some of the choices we make but with experience in the circle (pitching), I feel that we will be able to fill the gaps we might have early. Scalzo will anchor our infield from shortstop, and we will have a few lineups as we shift around to find the best lineups.”
Toups makes quick impact in outfield
Coach Russell says, “Nat Toups has made an impact by being a vocal contributor and with her aggressive play. She has a high game IQ and plays with a high energy-style of defense. Ana Macha’s return allows us to move Smith from right-field into the infield if needed as she has been practicing in both left and center. Wilson and Abygail Jarvi have both been playing well. They offer different tools at the plate which gives us more versatility.”
Ability to score; Working to improve defense
“We have shown the ability to score runs during fall season,” Russell noted. “I believe that we will be able to build upon what we did last year and compete with the offensively-minded GSC teams. I think we can put together a solid offensive attack while different from other teams, very much in line with our strengths. Defensively we need to get comfortable and do the best we can while getting better each day. We will have time to continue to improve during the season and we need to make that a priority.”
Looking over the schedule
“We are starting the season at home this year. I think learning how to compete in these series is beneficial for GSC play which starts on the third weekend of the season,” the coach stressed. “I think getting off to a good start is crucial. There is not much time to warm up and get comfortable. It is more about learning to be comfortable when you are uncomfortable.
“Having confidence in what you are doing and chasing your best self is mentally challenging and I think this team is up to being challenged. We must learn how to bounce back and recover so that you can win a series.”
Coaching staff changes
“Jessica McIntyre received an opportunity to become the Deputy Athletic Director and she is able to help (AD) John Maupin shape the future of Lee Athletics,” said Coach Russell. “She is so well suited for that role and she has a wealth of talent and giftedness that can benefit the department as a whole. We will miss having her with us on a daily basis but she is our sport administrator and in that role she will still be able to be around the team. She is still leading our personal growth weekly sessions with the team as well as our leadership counsel programs.
“We are thrilled to add Kelly Golden-Neer back with our program. She is passionate about the future of the program and what we can do together. She is looking forward to her first season in the GSC and she is doing very well working with the hitters and as the recruiting coordinator.”
2025 GSC Softball Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Alabama Huntsville (1) – 103 points
2. West Florida (3) – 102 points
3. Auburn Montgomery (4) – 101 points
4. Mississippi College (3) – 95 points
5. Valdosta State – 77 points
6. West Alabama (1) – 71 points
7. Trevecca Nazarene – 63 points
8. Union – 62 points
9. Lee – 43 points
10. Montevallo – 40 points
11. Christian Brothers – 20 points
12. Delta State – 15 points
First-place votes in parenthesis
2025 Preseason Softball All-GSC
Katie Bracken, P, Jr., UAH^
Alexa Douthitt, INF, Jr., UAH*
Lawren Hayes, INF, Sr., UAH*
Jada Henderson, C/UTL, Sr., UAH*
Chloe Baynes, OF, Jr., AUM*
Haley Ann Frank, OF, Sr., AUM^
Javaria Smith, OF, Sr., LEE
Camryn Bailey, P, Jr., MC*
Shelby Samples, OF, Jr., MC^
Ashlan Sensing, P, Sr., TNU*
Aniston Gano, 1B, Sr., VSU^
Marissa Mitchell, SS., Sr., UWA*
Madison Wright, P, Sr., UWA
Gianna Guerriero, OF, Sr., UWF*
Hannah Harper, P/1B, Jr., UWF
* first team all-conference in 2024
^ second team all-conference in 2024
