Matt Vines

NATCHITOCHES – Transitions from high school to college athletics can be tricky, and playing time for freshmen is never guaranteed.

But for North DeSoto products Cameron Curtis and Aly Delafield, they were fresh faces that broke through on a senior-laden Northwestern State softball team.

Curtis and Delafield both started more than 30 games and saw the field as early as the opening weekend.
Curtis primarily played in the outfield and as a pinch runner, and Delafield a designated hitter and pitcher.
Delafield picked up a win in the circle against Southern Illinois in the opening weekend, throwing four shutout innings. She ended the season with a 1-1 record and a save in 10 appearances, primarily as a reliever.

At the plate, Delafield scored 11 runs and drove in five more runs with a team-high nine stolen bases.
Curtis picked up steam in Southland Conference play with 10 of her 14 RBIs coming against league opponents. Those 10 RBIs in league play ranked second on the team.

Nine of her 18 hits went for extra bases, including her first three career hits (doubles) and a home run against McNeese.

The season certainly wasn’t without its challenges as the Lady Demons finished 19-31, but the two North DeSoto freshmen forced their way on the field with their play.

Curtis and Delafield will be the old heads this coming season as NSU’s roster consists of just one senior and five sophomores with freshmen making up the rest of the roster.

The North DeSoto pair proved themselves to first-year coach Lacy Prejean, and they’ll prepare to do so again with a new coaching staff after Prejean resigned earlier this month.

Catching Up is a series in which we update readers on athletes who are playing collegiately. Have a suggestion for a Catching Up subject? Email Matt Vines at matt.vines@lsus.edu.

PHOTO CREDIT: The photos used in this graphic are from Chris Reich/Northwestern State.