Chapelle softball standouts Giardina, Trosclair sign with Southern Miss, Belhaven

Archbishop Chapelle made a run to the Select Division I state softball semifinals, losing 5-4 to eventual state champion St. Thomas More.

The primary forces of the run for the Chipmunks have secured futures at the next level.

Kayla Giardina officially signed with Southern Mississippi while Delaney Trosclair officially signed with Belhaven at a ceremony at Chapelle Thursday.

Giardina posted a 20-4 record in the circle, striking out 244 batters in 141 innings and hurled five no-hitters. At the plate, Giardina batted .421 with three home runs and 30 RBI, earning first team All-District honors for a second straight season.

Giardina was named the District 9-5A Player of the Year, was chosen for the Louisiana Softball Coaches Association Class 5A All-Star team, the Louisiana Sportswriters Association All-State team and was named the 2023 All-Metro most outstanding player.

“It was a really tough decision, a lot of prayer was involved in it,” Giardina said. “Ultimately, it was what was best for me and my family. I plan on working on spinning the ball more, to locate it where they cannot hit it.”

Giardina has a clear goal in mind in her final season at Chapelle in 2024.

“I think we can do it (win a state title),” Giardina said. “We’ve gained a lot of new players that can help us to achieve our goal,” Giardina said.

Trosclair posted a 6-1 record with 32 strikeouts and excelled offensively, batting .438 with three home runs, 15 doubles, three triples and 35 RBI. Trosclair earned honorable mention All-State honors and was firm in her commitment to play for the Blazers.

“I’ve had this offer since I was a sophomore,” Trosclair said. “It was my first offer. This was the place for me. I felt welcome there. I knew that was where I wanted to go. We are very motivated to win it all at Chapelle this year, knowing we were a run short and that close. It was a tough loss. It was truly motivating.”

Heading to Belhaven has one more advantage.

“I get to buy more green,” Trosclair said.