LSU Softball Staff
Camp Staff
JILL BARRETT NEAL
Jill (Barrett) Neal was an All-American third baseman for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in 2014. She jumped into the lineup as a freshman at third base and started every game during her four-year career. Jill was a three-time First Team All-CUSA member, a two-time First Team All-Region performer and a 2014 NFCA All-American.
She played two seasons in the National Pro Fastpitch League for the Akron Racers before being traded to the Chicago Bandits. In her third season with the Bandits, she was second on the team with a .345 batting average and led the team to the Cowles Cup Championship.
She was a 3 time All-NPF player.
ZACH JERMAIN, Ph.D.
Zach Jermain currently serves as the Data Analyst for the LSU Softball Team. A native of Missouri, Zach grew up playing men's fastpitch before enrolling as a student manager at the University of Missouri. His journey to Baton Rouge began in December of 2016 when he enrolled as a Master's Degree student at LSU.
He is completed his Ph.D. level research in Mathematics of Material Science and Plasmonic Metamaterials at LSU in Summer 2024.
Ciara Briggs
Ciara recently finished her career at LSU as a two-time NFCA Gold Glove Winner and NFCA South All-Region Selection, and is a three-time All-SEC honoree and two-time SEC All-Defensive Team. Briggs became the first collegiate softball player in NCAA history to win back-to-back Gold Gloves after being named as a recipient of the 2023 Rawlings Gold Glove Award and 2022 Rawlings Gold Glove presented by the NFCA.
She is a member of the US Women's Elite Softball Team and competed in the Japan All-Star Series in Summer of 24. She is currently getting her Masters degree at LSU.
Raeleen Gutierrez
Raeleen completed her career at LSU being named to the NFCA South All-Region Third Team and SEC All-Defensive Team. She was also named to the 23' SEC All-Defensive Team. This past year, she led the team with 25 extra-base hits behind 17 doubles, two triples, and six home runs. Her 17 doubles tied at No. 10 in program history for the most in a single season.
Taylor Pleasants
Taylor recently completed her career at LSU where she was an NFCA All-American in 2021, 4 time NFCA All-Region team, 3 time All-SEC team, All-SEC Defensive team, and was the 21' SEC Newcomber of the Year.
She concluded her LSU career as the program’s all-time leader with 59 double plays turned, and No. 2 with 520 assists…Offensively, she ranks No. 3 all-time with 217 career RBIs, No. 4 with 47 home runs, No. 5 with 119 walks, No. 6 with 416 total bases and 28 hit-by-pitches, No. 8 with a .570 slugging percentage and No. 9 with 46 doubles…Also ranks No. 3 all-time with 60 career multi-RBI games.
Taylor was selected as a USA Softball National Team member where she competed for the USA Softball team and won gold medals in 2019 and 2022. She most recently was drafted into the Professional Fastpitch League by the Florida Vibe.
She is currently getting her Masters degree at LSU.