AUSTIN – The Lone Star Collegiate League (LSCL) officially crowned its inaugural champion on Saturday, with UTSA sophomore outfielder Aubrie Henderson helping the Texas 512's to the title.
The American Collegiate League (ACL), which serves as the national body of governance for regional collegiate summer league softball, established the LSCL in 2024 with the goal of bringing competitive collegiate softball summer play, player development, player experience and the growth of the overall game to Texas.
"I decided to play in the Lone Star League to continue bettering myself over the summer in game-type situations," said Henderson. "I really wanted to continue facing live pitching and getting reads off live hitters in the outfield, so when I go back to UTSA in the fall, I will have a ton of game experience under my belt."
The league featured six teams in its first-ever campaign, and Henderson's squad posted an 11-17 record. They finished the regular season fifth before catching fire in the postseason. She maintained a .292 batting average across the summer, scoring 23 runs with 19 hits, three RBIs and a home run.
"The league did an amazing job of getting a range of different college softball players from (NCAA) Division I to NAIA and the competition level was fierce," said Henderson. "The league was filled with big hitters and great pitching, which I feel only made me that much stronger."
The 512's rattled off a narrow 2-1 victory over the Texas Gems to kick-start the double-elimination postseason, ahead of a 9-5 win over the Texas Barrelers and a 14-9 triumph over regular-season champions Texas Ninebands that advanced them through the winner's bracket. They again faced the Ninebands, first falling 6-0 before bouncing back with an 11-3 win that landed Henderson and the 512's a championship.
"Winning that championship was the absolute best feeling," Henderson said. "Seeing myself and my team step up to the challenge of being the fifth seed and then going out and competing against the other teams. Working together to piece together hits was something really amazing to see. We never let ourselves feel the pressure. We just went out and gave it everything, and when it paid off, it was the best feeling. I had an incredible team that helped me grow and learn."
Henderson wasn't the only Roadrunner competing in the LSCL, as senior utility player Jaylen Prichard saw action for the Bay City Bats and sophomore pitcher Meredith Schmitt for the Texas Ocelots.
On facing her UTSA teammates, Henderson stated, "I loved competing against my UTSA family in this league. It was so fun playing against them but also rooting for them in the process. I loved the competitive dynamic we had when facing each other. We all wanted to win, but even more we wanted to see the other achieve what they came to the league to achieve. We all wanted to do our absolute best to push the others and vice versa. I also loved getting to see my teammates during the summer. I miss all of them like crazy so it was nice to have a piece of my 210 family there with me."
The summer success has Henderson hungry for more.
"I am so eager to get back because I feel like all the at-bats and amazing pitchers I faced really improved my softball IQ and hitting. In this league, you are just playing game after game, learning on your feet, and learning from other athletes and coaches. I think my hitting is the strongest it has ever been. I also think playing the game is the best way to excel at the game. I feel like my base running improved because I was getting live reads of catchers and other fielders, making me more aggressive on the base paths. This league was the absolute best thing for me mentally as well. I learned how to face adversity and make quick adjustments. I feel all-around stronger and more confident coming back to UTSA."
Keep up with UTSA Softball all season long on goutsa.com, and by following the program on Facebook at /UTSASB, X (Twitter) @UTSASoftball, and on Instagram @utsasoftball.
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