Softball — Northwestern State adds two more signees to increase class to seven

NATCHITOCHES — The Northwestern State softball program added a pair of signees late Wednesday to increase its total signing class to seven.

Calvary Baptist’s Marissa Reed and Colleyville High’s Maggie Black will join the Lady Demon program.

Reed has led the Cavaliers to consecutive state titles and is a three-time all-state and four-time all-city (Shreveport Times) recipient.

With 36 career home runs, she’s chasing the Louisiana High School Athletic Association record. Reed also compiled a .411 batting average with 181 career RBIs through her junior season.

“Marissa is an athletic kid who’s done very well offensively in her career,” said NSU coach Donald Pickett. “One of her hits gave Calvary the lead in the state championship game, and she has a powerful bat.

“We hope she continues that here and can hit for power and average.”

Black is a left-side infielder who was selected to the all-district team in each of her three seasons.

She was named to the All-Metroplex team (Dallas, Texas), also being selected defensive player of the year.

“Maggie is a very athletic, competitive kid who can give us depth at shortstop or third base,” Pickett said. “Seeing what she can do, she can step right in and help us.

“We need to play faster defensively, and she’s really a standout type of player over there.”

Black joins two other Dallas Metroplex selections in pitcher Bronte Rhoden and catcher Alexis Perry in this class. Outfielder Sierra Stone is a district MVP.

Reed increases Louisiana’s tally to three signees, including Natchitoches Central’s own Madison Holmes and all-state infielder Sydni Larriviere from Acadiana High.

“We’ve got some very good kids from some very good families,” Pickett said. “We’ve got a couple of infielders, some pitchers, a catcher and an outfielder in what is a well-rounded class.

“We added some depth, especially to a couple of our infield spots. We’re continuing to build pitching depth. Our outfielder (Stone) will build depth with senior Sidney Salmans playing her last season, and we’ve got more depth at catcher than in past years.”