Diamond Sparkles Episode 8 ~ Blair Clement Lutcher Bulldogs
When the pressure is on, Lutcher High softball player Blair Clement rises to the occasion. In fact, that’s when she’s at her best.
Clement – a rising junior – was the hero of the Bulldogs’ win over top-seeded North DeSoto in the Division II nonselect championship game as a freshman in 2024.
Not only did she pitch the Bulldogs to a 9-4 victory, which ended nationally ranked North DeSoto’s 17-game postseason winning streak, Clement belted two homers, punctuated by a grand slam off senior pitcher Lainey Johnson (now at Louisiana Tech).
“Blair took on a big role as a freshman,” Lutcher coach Cathy Bland said. “She had her struggles, like everyone normally does, but ended the season on the highest note.”
When Johnson walked the bases full, Clement stepped into the batter’s box and promptly fell behind 0-2 in the count before launching the shot that produced the game’s first runs.
“At the end of the day, we had nothing to lose,” Clement said. “I wasn’t expecting the home runs.”
A Stunning Freshman Campaign
Clement made LSWA Class 4A first team all-state utility player in 2024, posting a 16-5 record in the circle with 131 strikeouts in 146 innings. She batted .305 with five homers, 18 hits and 17 RBIs.
“My biggest fear when we got to the playoffs was whether she would be able to handle the pressure,” Bland said. “The last two games were her best games all season.”
Although the Bulldogs dropped a semifinal rematch to North DeSoto this past season, there were prominent high notes. Lutcher won the District 8-4A title by defeating Division II select state champion Vandebilt Catholic, which only lost two games.
Clement outdueled Class 4A MVP Lauren Baudoin, who went 24-1 for the Terriers, pitching an eight inning two-hit shutout with 14 strikeouts and only one walk. She also doubled and scored on Kelsie Riley’s walk-off homer.
“Blair is very composed in the circle,” said Bland, the 8-4A Coach of the Year in a league that included tournament teams Assumption and E.D. White. “She doesn’t let a lot of outside noise get in her way.”
Sizzling Sophomore Year at the Plate
As a sophomore, Clement raised her batting average to .457 while totaling 45 hits and 10 homers. She also increased her ratio of strikeouts, punching out 137 hitters in 116 innings pitched.
“She’s a strong kid who does have a lot of pop,” Bland said of Clement’s offensive prowess. “Blair has become a much more disciplined hitter. She’s not scared to take a walk.
“What she has shown is some maturity at the biggest pressure moments. That goes back to not getting caught up in things around her; not losing focus. That’s an absolute sign of maturity.”
Thunderbolts Strike
Clement, who has primarily hit in the three-hole for the Bulldogs, will soon wrap up her summer session with the Louisiana Thunderbolts 2026/2027 team, which is coached by her mother, Michelle.
The team is loaded with talented players such as Caroline Johnson (Dutchtown), Olivia St. Pierre (Riverside Academy), Alexis Pitre (Walker), Julianne Armand and Addison Davis (Catholic PC), Edyn Mannino (Central-BR), Emma Holmes (Benton) and Maddie Bourgeois, Clement’s teammate at Lutcher.
“We really just go out there and have fun,” said Clement, whose younger sister Reece is an up-and-coming 2028 player.
The Thunderbolts won six of seven games at the Hotshots Exposure Event in Texas, finishing with 69 hits and a .401 team batting average. St. Pierre is committed to Co-Lin College in Mississippi, which has offered Clement a scholarship.
Two-way Terror on the Next Level?
Bland said Clement has the rare talent to become a two-way player in college as a pitcher and hitter.
“They don’t always give you the chance to do that,” Bland said. “She works hard at batting and likes to hit.”
Michelle, who earned a scholarship to Southeastern Louisiana during her prep career at Lutcher, has used Blair less as a pitcher and more as an infielder this summer. Blair is working on her change-up while keeping sharp in the circle. Her fastball was timed at 64 mph last season.
“I’m expecting her to grow even more as a leader on the team,” Bland said. “The young ones look up to her. As a freshman and sophomore, she was one of the young ones.”
While the Bulldogs graduated five seniors for the second straight season, Bland said the expectations remain the same. There is a solid core group returning, led by Clement, Bourgeois and All-Bayou Region outfielder Avery St. Pierre, with a roster that will return almost 20 players.
“I’m a competitor for sure,” Clement said. “I’m going to do whatever I have to do in that moment for my team.”
The district, which was arguably the best in the state in 2025, promises to be even more rugged. Vandebilt Catholic, which has won back-to-back state titles, brings back its entire roster. E.D. White, also a young team, and Assumption will return star pitchers Shelbee Gros and Lilia Alleman.
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 Episodes click here: Avery Houser
