In the world of college sports, few stories stand out like Cali Deal's journey—the lone Louisiana girl in LSU Softball's signing class. As a dual-sport athlete thriving in both softball and basketball, Cali embodies the dreams of many young athletes in Louisiana. Recently, she shared her inspiring story, highlighting her hard work and determination that led to this significant moment in her life.
She remarked on the difference she felt in committing and actually putting pen to paper saying "It's a dream come come true. Honestly, it feels it still hasn't set in, it still doesn't feel real that in a few short months that I'll actually be at LSU getting to play there and I'm just super thankful and excited for the future." She stated "the people at LSU are incredible like you step on campus and it truly does feel like family, like everyone supports everyone and I love that about it down there."
A Dream Come True
Cali's aspirations have been a constant companion throughout her life. “It's a dream for a bunch of people,” she said. “I've always dreamed of playing softball at LSU; it's been on vision boards I've created."
"If you dream that you can do it . It's really special to get to represent my state and the place that I grew up and I'm really thankful to get to do it." - Cali Deal
Cali's commitment represents more than personal success; it reflects hope for the entire Louisiana community. Her achievement inspires young athletes who yearn for big opportunities—showing that with hard work and dedication, such dreams are attainable.
As a Junior Deal was 16-2 in the circle with a .94 ERA , 239 strikeouts and only 37 walks in 149 innings pitched. At the plate she managed a .439 batting average with 31 RBIs and 20 runs scored.
Cali tells me, "I'm really looking forward to being on the pitching staff with Syd Berzon. I really look up to her as a pitcher. She's incredible, one of the best to do it." Berzon will be a senior when Cali sets foot on campus. Cali adds another player she looks forward to sharing the diamond with, "Alix (Franklin), me and Alex have been friends for a couple of years now, a fellow Louisiana girl. She's one of the best people that I know. And I'm really looking forward to being her teammate again."
Hard Work Pays Off
Success in sports doesn't come easily. Cali credits her achievements to her relentless drive. "It's a true testament that hard work pays off,” she stated. Young athletes can learn from her commitment that setting clear goals and working hard can lead them to realize their own dreams.
Upon committing to LSU, Cali set high expectations for herself. She aimed to improve her skills and win a state championship. Both goals became realities as she sharpened her abilities and led her team to victory. Since committing she has been participating in a Monday Night Camp that LSU offers. This was a major sacrifice for Cali as it is roughly a three hour drive. It has helped tremendously as she says "Coach Beth is there running the camp. So I've gotten to talk to her a good bit and she's helped me a lot with pitching and I've gotten to get a little head start on what she wants me to work on since I've been getting to go down there and talk to her at those camps. So I'm excited to keep working with Coach Beth on pitching and she is an incredible person".
She talks about her dedication to training during the summer and fall, mentioning that she is part of Texas Bomber Gold 18 U with Cat Osterman as her pitching coach. She expresses gratitude for the opportunity to pitch under Cat Osterman, highlighting her as a role model and one of the best players in the world. She emphasizes that Osterman is not only a talented softball player but also an exceptional mentor, leader, and person. Despite only being partway through the fall season, she has already gained valuable insights from Osterman, both as a competitor and a pitcher. She looks forward to continuing to learn from Osterman and competing with her team throughout the rest of the fall and summer.
The State Championship Journey
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Winning a state championship isn't an everyday occurrence, and for Cali's team, it marked a historic achievement. With determination, they set their sights high. “It was our first one for our school ever,” Cali noted with pride.
In past years, they reached the state finals but fell short. However, this season, she confidently stated, “We were ranked number one all year.” The pressure of being front-runners only fueled their ambition. Cali highlighted how unity played a crucial role in their victory: “It was all about our team coming together to accomplish what we knew we could.” Through collaboration and shared goals, they achieved their ultimate dream—winning the state championship trophy. She stated "I would love to win back to back state championship again." She reiterated “Those goals still stay the same,” as she confidently shared, underscoring her commitment to continuous improvement.
The Bonds Beyond Competition
Cali's story is enriched by the strong bonds she shares with her teammates. “Most of us have been together since we were little girls.” This long-standing friendship laid the groundwork for their success.
Growing up together in youth leagues created a solid connection that transcended sports. Winning the state championship was not just an athletic achievement; it was a celebration of their shared history. “We were able to win state championships together in all-stars, so it was really special to get to win a high school state championship this year with the people that I've grown up with,” she expressed.
Celebrating shared memories cements friendships, forming a supportive team environment—both critical components of success.
The Future is Bright
As Cali prepares to step into collegiate sports, her determination shines through. She knows that challenges lie ahead but remains focused. For her, being part of LSU means more than just competing; it’s about inspiring young girls to pursue their dreams.
"I want to show them that hard work truly pays off," she emphasized. Her journey serves as a motivational example, encouraging the next generation of athletes to chase their ambitions with courage. Cali states "I just want to show younger girls that you're not just defined by one thing. You can be whatever you wanna be, you can be tough, athletic gritty, and competitive, but also be funny, smart and kind .
I just want to show that you don't just have to be in a box and that like athletes or young girls or whoever it is, you can do whatever you want to do and be whatever you want to do. And also that. your worth or your joy or your identity, it's not from a sport or whatever it is that you do. True joy, true happiness comes from Jesus Christ. And I think that's something that I want to show, with the platform that I have one day and that I want to show other people is that. true joy comes from Jesus and not from a sport and you can do other things than just be an athlete.
Cali told me this is something she once struggled with herself stating "sometimes it gets hard and overwhelming to balance all of it. You feel like it's just like a weight on you that you have to perform at a certain level, you have to perform a certain way." On what changed that for her she commented "I think once I started to realize that at the end of the day, it doesn't matter how well, I play softball or how well, I play basketball. I'm still the same person as I was the day before. Once I realized that the sport became more fun and more enjoyable and I, my love for the game grew because I knew that I was the same person before and after a bad day"
The Dual-Sport Journey of Cali: A True Athlete's Perspective
Cali is not only an LSU Softball signee, but also a true dual-sport athlete. She states, "I've always played basketball. Honestly, I love basketball just as much as I love softball. I've always loved both of them equally." She added, "At a certain point, I had to choose between the two, but I'm really thankful that I stuck with basketball and have been playing it throughout the years." So far in her senior season, Deal is averaging a double-double with 25 PPG and 12 rebounds per game. She talked about how, with this being her last year, it will be bittersweet.
The Power of Representation
Being the sole Louisiana member of her signing class amplifies the significance of Cali's journey. She is a beacon of inspiration for young athletes who wish to break barriers.
Cali's commitment is a statement: greatness is achievable while staying true to one's roots. In an era where representation matters, her story empowers young athletes, especially girls in Louisiana, to aim for their dreams. It exemplifies that talent, dedication, and belief can inspire an entire community.
How does the LSU signee spend her free time "in my free time, I do give lessons with younger girls in my community. I really love it, It helps. like not only other people, but it also helps my love for the game to be able to teach younger girls in my community how to pitch. Also it's really. heartwarming to see the relationships that I gain from giving lessons to the younger girls in the way that they look up to me and like the things that they say, it's really heartwarming and I'm really thankful that I get to do it."
A Journey Worth Celebrating
Cali Deal's journey from a dream-filled girl to a state champion and future collegiate athlete is a powerful tale. She embodies values like hard work and resilience, proving dreams can come true through determination.
As she embarks on her new adventure at LSU, Cali will undoubtedly continue to make her hometown proud. With a remarkable past and her ambitions ahead, she is truly an unstoppable presence in athletics.
For aspiring athletes everywhere, Cali’s story is a reminder that with passion and teamwork, extraordinary achievements await. Her experience highlights the importance of pursuing dreams—showing that champions can rise from the heart of Louisiana.
she’s amazing at everything she does! Truely a great inspiration to everyone around her!