Ready for the Big Stage: Ashlin Mowery Brings Workhorse Mentality to LSU Softball

Ashlin Mowery’s senior season read like a highlight reel — gaudy numbers, hardware and a string of performances that left opponents searching for answers. But for the incoming LSU freshman, the flash of statistics isn’t the point. What matters is the work behind them: the long innings, the extra reps and a relentless focus on getting better. As Mowery prepares to trade high-school diamonds for the intensity of collegiate softball stadiums, her mindset is simple and steady: soak up everything, compete every day and let the results follow.

Ashlin signing her LOI for LSU Softball

During her time with her Unity travel squad, she pitched 40 innings, achieving 54 strikeouts and a 1.925 ERA. In high school softball, she was a powerhouse, pitching 117 innings with 223 strikeouts and a 0.255 ERA. At the plate, she maintained a .515 batting average, a .607 on-base percentage, and hit 11 home runs. She was honored as Athlete of the Year, Central Ohio Sports Award Player of the Year, Central Ohio Home Plate Club Player of the Year, First Team All Ohio, Central District Player of the Year, First Team OCC, and OCC Scholar Athlete!

A defining moment

When asked which moment from her senior year stands out the most, Mowery reaches back to a game that tested everything her team had built. In the state semi-final — the first trip to that level in her school’s history — Mowery battled through 10 innings, fanning 18 batters in a hard-fought loss. “It was definitely one of those games that you want every game to be like,” she says. Though the scoreboard didn’t end in their favor, the outing distilled everything she values about the sport: endurance, pressure-handling and a team that refused to yield.

That performance — part endurance test, part showcase — helped define a season in which she put up gaudy totals, consistently hurling 70+ mph with 223 strikeouts to a .515 batting average and multiple Player of the Year honors. But Mowery is quick to temper the shine of the awards with the grind that produced them.

Balancing two roles

Pitching and hitting at an elite level is a rare duality, and Mowery’s success on both fronts stems from a simple formula: work. “When it comes to this sport it’s all about work, so the balance just comes from getting good quality reps and doing the extra work,” she explains. That extra work isn’t glamorous — it’s the off-the-clock gym sessions, the bullpens, extra batting practice and the mental preparation that comes before games. Her approach is methodical: give full effort to the craft, and the balance reveals itself in performance.

Mowery's dual role also reflected her passion for the game. When questioned about her drive to continue, she downplays the importance of recognition as a motivating factor. “The accolades are great but aren’t the reason I am motivated or play the game,” she says. “I play and work to be the best all-around player I can be… because I absolutely love the game of softball.” Her relentless drive, fueled by a deep support network, keeps her hunger alive even after a grueling season packed with accolades.

A summer of preparation

With campus orientation and the first practices looming, Mowery’s summer has been intentional and practical. “Honestly, the training and preparation has been a lot of games and tournaments and when I’m home finding time to get in the gym to keep me strong and healthy,” she says. Rather than chase flashy single-purpose workouts, her focus has been on maintaining the durability and conditioning that let her log big innings and handle the wear of a long season.

Mowery says contact with LSU staff has so far been limited to the logistical: getting things ready for school and life in Baton Rouge. That hasn’t slowed her preparation. Instead, she’s used the time to continue doing what brought her here — competing in game environments and staying physically ready.

College-ready strengths and the next step

When asked what part of her game is most ready for the college level, Mowery doesn’t hedge: pitching and her mentality. She believes the competitive toughness she’s developed — the ability to go deep into games, compete in late innings and manage pressure — gives her an immediate foundation at LSU. At the same time, she’s honest about where the work continues. “I’m working hard on my hitting in order to be ready for the level of pitching that I am going to face,” she says. It's a practical acknowledgment: while pitching can be quickly understood, hitting demands ongoing adjustment.

That pragmatic self-assessment is reflected in her goals for the freshman season. On the field, Mowery’s aim is to be a student of the program — to absorb the nuances of college training, adopt new methods and make whatever adjustments are necessary to be an effective contributor. “I want to take all of it in,” she says. “Another goal is to just be the workhorse I always have been and make the adjustments that I’ll need along the way.” Off the field, she’s just as disciplined: academic excellence is nonnegotiable. “I’ve never been one that’s just ok with getting by. I want to be at the top and give my full best.”

Coaching and mentorship

A large part of Mowery’s development traces back to a coach who’s been in her life since she was 11. Shelby McCombs — Mowery’s pitching coach and something close to an older sister — gets credit not only for technique but for shaping the athlete’s mental approach. McCombs taught her to couple faith with process, to stop chasing perfection and to accept steady progress. “She’s taught me to be the best version of myself and to not try to compare myself to others,” Mowery says. That mentorship has been a “huge light” in Mowery’s life, especially in helping an often-perfectionist player learn to settle in and perform.

Team role and hitting at LSU

Mowery confirmed that LSU has communicated an interest in her as a hitter — news that delighted her. “Yes, they have said that they would like for me to hit there! This was something that was huge for me because I really love hitting!” The possibility of contributing with the bat as well as the ball on the mound gives Mowery another way to help the Tigers, and it underscores LSU’s view of her as more than a one-dimensional performer.

Motivation and identity

It’s notable that even amid individual achievement, Mowery’s motivation remains team-oriented, and process driven. Beyond a love for the game, she points to the people who’ve supported her — family, coaches and teammates — as fuel for her continual push. “My support system also plays a factor in my motivation. I have so many people in my corner and that have supported me since the beginning,” she says.

Off the field, Mowery wants fans to know one essential thing about her: she’s a hard worker. “I do everything at 100% because in my eyes if you’re not giving your full effort to something why are you doing it in the first place!” That ethic has been her calling card, and it’s the reason she’s confident about making the jump to college softball.

Small details, big personality

When asked about a walk-up song, Mowery chuckles at how little time she’s had to think about the theatrical part of college life. “I haven’t even begun to think of what my walk-up song would be — I’ve just been focused on getting better,” she admits. That said, if she had to pick today, she’d choose “How We Do” by The Game featuring 50 Cent — a nod to swagger, confidence and competitive edge.

What to expect in Baton Rouge

If Mowery’s senior season and summer preparation are any indication, LSU is getting a player who brings toughness, adaptability and a relentless work ethic. She arrives believing her pitching and mindset are ready, while her bat remains a priority for continued development. More than statistics, it’s her humility and hunger that stand out: she wants to learn, to adjust and to be useful in whatever role the Tigers ask of her.

As Mowery trades high-school fields for collegiate diamonds, she carries a simple creed: give full effort, learn fast and love the game. In Baton Rouge, that workhorse mentality may be just what LSU needs from its next freshman ace.