For the first time in eight years, the LU softball program secured a spot in the SAC tournament, marking a major milestone and a turning point for the team. What once felt out of reach has now become a reality, as this year’s team proved that their hard work and determination could not be ignored.
For nearly a decade, the program has worked to rebuild, facing tough seasons, losses and moments of doubt. Many of the current players were not part of the last team to make the tournament, making this accomplishment even more significant. It represents not only success in the present but growth over time.
The players demonstrated trust, accountability, and a shared commitment to a common goal. Leadership from players played a major role in keeping the team focused and prepared, from practices to games. “It was really a player-led team, but this year everything changed… I was able to get my friend Josiah to help with our coaching staff. I felt like he was the missing piece we needed,” Junior Asharah Thibodeaux said. “Now we were able to have fun and still get things done.”
Rather than relying on one individual, the team’s success came from a collective effort, with every player contributing in their own way. Throughout the season, the team showed a level of resilience that set them apart. Instead of letting setbacks define them, they used those moments as motivation. Key wins against strong opponents helped shift momentum and build confidence, allowing the team to realize what they were capable of. With each game, their belief in themselves and each other continued to grow.
That resilience carried into a postseason play. Although Langston fell short to OCU, the team refused to let their season end there. Thibodeaux described her mindset after the setback, saying, “It was really just a reset-and-go for me. We didn’t come this far to lose back-to-back. We finally made it, and we weren’t going to lose after two games. My mindset was just whoever we got next, we were going to beat them.” The team responded by battling back to defeat Wayland Baptist 5-2, earning another day to continue their season and proving their ability to compete under pressure.
The team then faced Texas Wesleyan in a hard-fought, back-and-forth battle that lasted all seven innings. Although they ultimately fell short 9–10, the game showed just how much the team had grown and what it was capable of accomplishing together. Freshman Adlemi Rodriguez reflected on the moment, emphasizing the importance of mindset throughout the game. “As a catcher, it’s important to stay positive throughout all seven innings,” she said. Despite the loss, Rodriguez added, “We fought until the end,” and reinforced the team’s unity moving forward: “We just have to stay together.”
Thibodeaux shared her leadership role and the culture she has worked to build within the program. “I’ve really tried to be the leader I wish we had when I first got here—just changing the mindset, holding people accountable, and showing that our program can be something people respect,” she said. “I love that some of the freshmen who came in had the same mindset as me as well.”
As the team’s only senior, Tandy Joe Garrett played a unique role throughout the season. “This is a big deal to me because I’m a four-year senior at Langston, and making the tournament my senior year means everything,” Garrett said. “The teams before us hadn’t made it in years, so that was always our goal. To finally do it my last year is really special.” Reflecting on her final games, she added, “…my last game the emotion that I felt the most was honestly pride… we fought back, we didn’t just lay down and give up.”
She also shared a message to her teammates: “Stay positive, never give up… and don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do. You’re more than your sport—keep your head high no matter what.”
Beyond the wins and statistics, this accomplishment reflects the team’s determination and pride. The journey to this point was not easy, but it has made the moment even more meaningful. Breaking an eight-year drought is more than just an achievement—it is a statement about the direction of the program and what it is capable of becoming.
As the team moves forward, it carries more than just experience—it carries the confidence of a group that has faced adversity and demonstrated that it can compete at a high level. This season wasn’t just about making the tournament—it was about proving that this program is back and here to stay.
All photos by Richard T. Clifton.
Azul Rios
Azul Rios is a freshman broadcast journalism major and member of the Lions softball team.
