Leah LeBlanc already has a long high school softball career, making her varsity debut as a sophomore 2023 now being one of the Little Falls Flyers’ softball team’s reliable hitters,
Leah led the Flyers in five categories of stats, which led to her being selected as the Morrison County Record’s 2024 All Area Softball Player of the Year. She hit four home runs in the season, scored 21 runs and earned 17 walks. She also led the team with 25 hits and nine doubles. Flyers Head Coach Tony Couture said the consistent power she has behind her hitting, helps with getting the first few players of the batting line up into scoring position.
“(Leah) has some power, she hits a lot of line drives, so we have her on the fourth (spot of the line up) so we can get some runs early on,” Couture said.
LeBlanc was playing on the C squad during her ninth grade year, competing as pitcher. During her sophomore year she tried out for shortstop, proving to Couture and other coaching staff she has other tricks up her sleeve. With her quickness and fast decision making, she’s shown to be effective keeping tabs between second and third base. LeBlanc came to enjoy the new role.
“My favorite part of playing shortstop is the challenge it brings me and the adrenaline I get when I make a good play,” LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc shared how she was nervous playing varsity at first, but now with two years of experience under her belt, she now strives to be a role model to the younger players and help grow the Flyers’ culture. Looking ahead at her senior season, she looks to improve on the skills she’s gained.
“Things that I want to improve on in this upcoming season is my mental confidence in the field and in the batter's box,” LeBlanc said. “I also want to improve my fielding routine and work on making faster transitions to get the ball there quicker.”
LeBlanc not only has been tested in tough situations on the ball field, but also on the court when she plays basketball in the winter. Couture explained how this experience as a multisport athlete has conditioned her to stay calm under pressure, especially making well needed hits when the team needs it.
“She’s a silent leader and when we talk about leading by example, you know, she makes good plays at good times and when the pressure’s on she usually comes through for us.”
The Flyers finished the 2024 season 10-14. They went 2-2 in the Section 8AAA Tournament, beating Fergus Falls 8-5 in the quarterfinal round and upsetting Willmar 11-2 in the quarterfinal round of the elimination bracket.
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