Diamond Sparkles Episode 6: Avery Houser ~ St. Frederick
The role of a leadoff hitter is a mindset. Yes, you’re just leading off technically once a game, but that one at bat is crucial. There have been many hitters that hit well throughout the lineup yet struggle when moved to leadoff. Avery Houser, rising senior at St Fred’s in Monroe embraces the role.
Our first look at Avery was on a rainy morning at Ward 10 in Tioga during early season tournament action. The then Junior Centerfielder stepped into the box from the left side and the introduction was made.
“I really do like batting leadoff because I like setting the tone for the game, ” said Houser. “…when it starts with a Home Run, it is pretty cool” she added with that typical Avery Houser smile.
It’s that type of mental approach that has made Houser successful since she set foot on the diamond for St. Fred’s as a 7th grader. Over the years Avery has been equally as impressive. She has been voted 1st team All State by the Louisiana Softball Coaches Association since her 8th grade season. Four straight years of the accolade helps one understand why the 2026 Grad has already landed her college home. She has chosen the University of Louisiana – Monroe to continue her educational and athletic career.
“I LOVE the Coaches at ULM. It really does just feel like home”, Avery told us. “They’re great people and great coaches and I’m excited to play for them”, she continued.
In addition to the LSCA All-State honors, Avery has been named First Team All-State by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association in all three of her High School seasons.
A look inside the numbers and you can definitely see that these honors are well earned.
For her career, Houser is hitting a robust .447 through 5 seasons and 403 At Bats. That includes 68 Extra Base hits including 27 Home Runs. Of the 27 Home Runs, 16 were hit this past season in a year which saw her set the St. Frederick’s Single Season Record.
“I set a goal for 20. I set it high just to see how close I could get.”
It was the ability to hit them in bunches that broke the previous record. In the four games we saw her in she had 5 of them.
Houser lit up when asked about playing for now retired Head Coach Ronnie LaSuzzo. “We always joked around at practice. I loved playing for Coach Ronnie.”
We asked Avery about some memories from her time at St. Fred’s and said she will miss a lot of the players she played with specifically citing her time playing alongside SS Megan Day. She looks forward to rejoining departing Senior Abigail Creighton who has already joined the ULM team.
While reliving some of the fond memories of her Lady Warriors days, it is clear she and her teammates are focused on the Dash for Frasch and playing for a State Championship in 2026.
Away from softball, Avery stays very busy. She is also a four-year member of the St Frederick’s Cheer team where she was named All-American in 2025. She will also assume the role of Cheer Captain for the upcoming year after being co-captain in the 24-25 school year.
Houser is a member of the Culinary Club, Science Club and many other extracurricular activities including serving as Senior Class Student Body Vice President.
To watch some of the games from this season, you can watch here: St Fred’s vs Grant
In the short time we have spent around Avery Houser there is one thing that is clear. She is going to be a leader. It won’t be with words; it will be in the way she carries herself on and off the field. From her mental approach to the leadoff role to the relentless approach at perfecting her defensive craft and throw in the infectious smile she always seems to wear, you can see why she is the definition of what articles like these represent.
If you were going to start a team and needed to pick first, make sure you select Avery Houser. She will lead on the field, represent well off the field and bring life to the clubhouse each and every day. She is truly a Diamond Sparkle.
Diamond Sparkles is a year-round column that tells the stories behind the stories of the Pelican State’s softball players. If you have someone that would make a great story send us an email to info@446sports.com
For more in the Diamond Sparkles series check this out: Hays Rutledge
