Kennedy Stutes literally capped off her prep softball career with a bang.
The senior infielder from St. Thomas More homered in the West team’s win in the Louisiana Softball Coaches Association All-Star game in Ball earlier this month.
Stutes, who was named MVP, evened the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning with the solo shot off West Ouachita pitcher Briley Whittington, who Stutes could face again in college. See the Home Run here: Stutes goes YARD
Stutes is a UL Ragin’ Cajuns’ signee, while Whittington is headed to Sun Belt Conference rival Southern Miss.
“We counted on Kennedy in big moments offensively and defensively,” STM coach Andria Waguespack said. “She was the glue that really held us together. I said this at her (college) signing: ‘Kennedy was a huge foundational piece for the last four years.”
Stutes was a four-year starter for the Cougars, who have won eight state championships. STM reached at least the semifinal round every season during her career, winning a title in her sophomore campaign.
While capturing a championship ranks up there with her best high school memories, Stutes is equally proud of her team’s ability to reach the title game her senior year.
Three of the Cougars’ seven losses in the regular season occurred during a seven-game stretch in April. STM was shutout for the first time all season (by Division II select champion Vandebilt Catholic) and lost a one-sided game to Division I nonselect champion Sam Houston.
Stutes and her teammates bounced back from the Vandebilt Catholic game with a 10-1 win over Live Oak in the final contest before the playoffs.
The second-seeded Cougars caught their stride in the postseason, beating their first three opponents by a combined score of 35-5 ahead of a 4-2 loss to John Curtis Christian in the final.
“We went through a rough patch,” Stutes said. “Seeing our team come together, I was so proud. We had a seniors’ meeting where we decided to play for each other. It’s not a ‘me’ sport. Once we started playing like that, there was way more energy.”
Stutes started at either shortstop or third base this past season, batting .396 with a slugging percentage of .823, 17 doubles, eight home runs and 47 RBIs. She struck out only three times in 118 at-bats and was 5-for-5 on stolen bases.
“She found that leadership voice late in the season,” Waguespack said. “When you talk about kids who truly love the game and competing, it shows in how she plays the game.”
Waguespack recalled Stutes’ first home run, which she hit as a freshman off senior pitcher Janci Aube’, who led Acadiana High to the Class 5A quarterfinals and starred at East Central Community College.
“Kennedy works so hard physically off the field,” Waguespack said. “That always stood out to me. She made huge gains, from quickness to physical strength and mental toughness.”
Stutes led the Cougars in doubles and was second in home runs to catcher Shyanne Irvin, another UL signee. She played alongside older sister Gabbie for her first two years at STM and will reunite with her in college.
“Nothing really changed when Gabbie went to college,” Waguespack said. “When you have an older sibling, it can be a little hard trying to step out of their shadow. She stayed focused on enjoying the game with her teammates. She made her own path.”
Waguespack said Stutes has the ability to continue playing third base in college, noting that she “excels at that position.” Waguespack initiated an RBI challenge which Stutes embraced by coming through with crucial sacrifice flies and consistently driving in runners in scoring position.
“She’s just a hard out,” Waguespack said. “She’s a good contact hitter. We faced the top pitching in the state, and she was a super-tough out. She has a good eye and doesn’t chase pitches, which is going to benefit her.”
Stutes, who doesn’t report to college until August, is playing with the Texas-based Hotshots this summer. Irvin and Shelby Taylor, a University of Houston signee from Division III nonselect state champion Doyle High School, are also on the team.
“Shyanne and I have played together as teammates our whole lives,” Stutes said. “I’m super-excited about playing with her in college.”
She’s also looking forward to joining Gabbie, who started more than half of UL’s games as a redshirt freshman.
“Gabbie loves it over there,” she said. “It’s a great culture. She loves (Cajuns) coach Aly Habetz.”
Relive the 2025 LSCA All Star Game HERE: 2025 East vs West
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