NEW ORLEANS – James Madison freshman utility player Cali Legzdin and sophomore right-hander Ryley Harrison have been named Sun Belt Conference Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs.
Legzdin is James Madison’s second Player of the Week honoree this season after teammate Payton List was recognized on March 11. Harrison is South Alabama’s first Pitcher of the Week after former standout Olivia Lackie won the award three times in 2024.
Player of the Week
Cali Legzdin, James Madison
[Fr. | UTIL | Beaver Falls, Pa.]
Legzdin was integral to the Dukes’ series victory over Coastal Carolina while batting 8-for-11 (.727) with two doubles, a home run, three RBI and five runs scored in four games last week. She also slugged 1.182 with a .750 on base percentage OBP encapsulating 13 total bases. Legzdin’s three runs scored in Saturday’s 5-2, series-clinching win over the Chanticleers marked a career-high while her three hits matched a personal best. The Beaver Falls, Pa., product also stole two bases in the 8-0, game one win over Coastal which puts her at a team-leading 20 steals on the year and second in the Sun Belt. Defensively, Legzdin converted all 22 putouts, and added one assist at first base.
Pitcher of the Week
Ryley Harrison, South Alabama
[So. | RHP | Fairhope, Ala.]
Harrison posted a 0.70 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 10 innings of work while earning two wins in a series victory over first-place ULM. In her lone start, the sophomore engineered the Jaguars to a 5-1 victory over the Warhawks in game two of the series with a complete-game win and nine strikeouts while holding the league’s top offense scoreless for 6 2/3 innings. With South Alabama trailing by one in Sunday’s rubber match, Harrison entered the circle with a runner on third base and no outs in the top of the fifth inning before spinning three scoreless frames. She allowed just two hits and no walks while retiring the final six batters she faced in the Jags’ 5-2 comeback win to clinch the series.
2025 Sun Belt Conference Softball Players of the Week
Week 1 – Taylor McKinney, 2B/OF, Troy
Week 2 – Georgia Hood, 1B, Coastal Carolina
Week 3 – Maddy Jennings, C, Coastal Carolina
Week 4 – Makayla McClain, 2B, App State
Week 5 – Payton List, UTIL, James Madison
Week 6 – Gabby Stagner, INF, South Alabama
Week 7 – Rielly Lucas, 1B, Marshall
Week 8 – Makayla McClain, 2B, App State
Week 9 – Mikaila Fox, INF, Southern Miss
Week 10 – Carys Platt, UTIL, ULM
Week 11 – Hollie Thomas, C, ULM
Week 12 – Cali Legzdin, UTIL, James Madison
2025 Sun Belt Conference Softball Pitchers of the Week
Week 1 – Nicolette Picone, LHP, Coastal Carolina
Week 2 – Madison Azua, LHP, Texas State
Week 3 – Nicolette Picone, LHP, Coastal Carolina
Week 4 – Maddie Johnson, RHP, Georgia Southern
Week 5 – Nicolette Picone, LHP, Coastal Carolina
Week 6 – Madison Azua, LHP, Texas State
Week 7 – Maddie Johnson, RHP, Georgia Southern
Week 8 – Sophie Moshos, LHP, App State
Week 9 – Madison Azua, LHP, Texas State
Week 10 – Nicolette Picone, LHP, Coastal Carolina
Week 11 – Victoria Abrams, RHP, ULM
Week 12 – Ryley Harrison, RHP, South Alabama