Payton Prince: LSU Eunice’s Freshman Star Blazes to All-American Status

Payton Prince’s softball journey began at age four in Sulphur, Louisiana, when a towering rodeo trophy won by her father inspired her to chase greatness. In 2025, as a freshman outfielder for LSU Eunice, she turned that childhood dream into reality, earning NJCAA Division II Second-Team All-American and NFCA First-Team All-South Region honors. Leading the Bengals to a 40-12 record and a No. 10 national ranking, Prince became LSU Eunice’s 44th All-American and the first female All-American in her family, cementing her place as a rising star.

A Masterclass in Offensive Dominance and Personal Growth

Prince’s 2025 season was a masterclass in offensive dominance. She posted a .387 batting average, 13 home runs (11th in LSUE single-season history), 44 RBIs, 52 runs scored, and 49 stolen bases (2nd in program history, 10th nationally). Her .747 slugging percentage and .475 on-base percentage led the team, complemented by 19 multi-hit games, 12 multi-RBI games, and a .976 fielding percentage in the outfield. Reflecting on her childhood inspiration, she says, “That moment inspires me to always go after what my younger self wanted which was success and making my family proud. I’ve always been competitive and wanted to strive for excellence ever since I started sports so getting to be an All-American just shows the endless hours and work, I’ve put in without saying a word.”

Her freshman success felt surreal. “The feelings were unforgettable, just getting to do it with my best friends and having my family’s support along the way meant the most to me. I never looked at stats while I played, I just loved the game and loved being there and I always played where my feet were, and I was successful. It was definitely an up and down journey with many feelings, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Prince shares. Her 13 home runs, a record under Coach Meghan Collins, edged out her 49 stolen bases as her proudest feat. “Both achievements mean a lot to me. I'm very competitive when it comes to speed and athleticism, but I’ll have to say the home runs meant the most to me because of how mental it is in the box. The beginning of the season was rough for me, and it took me a second to get my confidence up and be what my team needed. So, getting those home runs means the most to me because not only does it show the power I have it also shows how much I’ve grown mentally and am always ready for the next pitch.”

Unstoppable Performance and Leadership: A Rising Star's Journey to All-American

A standout game against Kilgore College showcased her unstoppable energy. “One game I felt unstoppable at was when we played Kilgore college. I hit a lead off home run my first at bat which set a tone on the field. Then my second at bat I hit a 2 out RBI double to tie the game back up then another RBI in the fourth inning which pushed us back ahead. We won that game 9-3,” she recalls. Her plate discipline drove her elite stats. “My approach at the plate helped my slugging percentage and on base percentage because it allowed me to gain confidence. I went up to the plate with a lot of confidence telling myself I am the best and I will get a hit even if it fell short sometimes I knew I would get it next time. I also knew I worked harder than anyone I faced; therefore, I trusted in my work, my teammates to have my back, and my coaches and it all fell into place. It’s always a dog fight but that’s what I love about this sport,” Prince explains.

Earning All-American honors was a milestone. “It was a huge blessing. It felt really good to know how far I’ve come. I knew God had so much in store for me and it feels amazing and I am truly blessed. My family is known in the sports world so carrying on the legacy made this unforgettable,” she says. As a freshman leader, she thrived under pressure. “It felt exceptional but natural to me. I know my role on and off the field and I am a leader by action which in return always gives my team the sense of security they need when we step onto the field. I knew what my team and coaches expected of me going into the season, and to be able to uphold my responsibilities as such a young player was extremely special to me,” Prince notes.

Defensively, a play at McNeese stood out. “One of my defensive plays that stands out as a highlight of my freshmen season was when we played at Mcneese and I made a catch then threw the ball home to throw out their leadoff batter in a double play. This play gave our team the momentum and positive energy we needed to finish the game,” she recalls. Her multi-sport background—basketball, football, track, and boxing at Sulphur High—fueled her tenacity. “My multi-sport background helped influence my softball performance at LSUE by teaching me luck follows the ones who work hard and that if it was easy everyone would be doing it. Being a multi-sport athlete isn’t for the weak. Maintaining both sports allowed me to build my mental and physical side of the game in order to work hard every day and go after anything I want, regardless of if I feel like pushing myself to put in the extra work or not,” she says.

Continuing the Family Legacy: Prince's Ambition and Aspirations in Softball

Her family’s athletic legacy, including her father’s All-American honors at McNeese, drove her ambition. “Their achievements are talked about till this day. I’ve grown up knowing all of them and I’ve always wanted to be an All-American and to keep the Prince name going. Their achievements spoke volumes about not only them but the family and to be able to share the achievements I’ve made with them is a dream come true,” Prince reflects. Looking to 2026, she’s hungry for more. “I have a few goals set and hoping to have an even better season with better stats next year but it’s the game of softball, you never know. My goals and standards are set high and every day I’ll work towards becoming a better player and leader. With hard work and faith, the sky is the limit. My main goal though is taken home a national championship. Playing division 1 softball would be rewarding but God already has my path planned out and wherever I end up will be home to me regardless of the division. Playing for LSU would be a dream come true, and I have some other schools I’m looking into so we will see what the future holds,” she says.

With her talent, grit, and faith, Payton Prince is a set name to light up softball’s future.