HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana University head softball coach Rick Fremin announced Wednesday the addition of seven student-athletes who will continue their academic and athletic endeavors as members of the SLU softball program.
 
The newest group of Lady Lions is comprised entirely of Louisiana natives and will debut on the diamond in the 2024 season. Pitcher Chloe Bennett (Rosepine, Louisiana | LSU Eunice | Rosepine HS) and utility player Faith Kivett (Tallulah, Louisiana | Copiah-Lincoln CC | Tallulah Academy) join SLU from the junior college ranks.
 
The class is rounded out by current high school seniors Addison Contorno (OF | Livingston, Louisiana | Doyle HS), Breanna Fontenot (OF | Moss Bluff, Louisiana | Sam Houston HS), Mykail Lusco (IF | Harahan, Louisiana | Dominican HS), Chloe Magee (IF | Watson, Louisiana | Live Oak HS) and Gabby Mitchell (UT | Eunice, Louisiana | Eunice HS).
 
Fremin expects the incoming class to bolster the program in multiple areas.
 
"This signing class features strong infielders, versatile outfielders and a group that will help our depth at the plate," Fremin commented. "We're also adding a junior college All-American in the circle who we expect to be able to help us immediately."
 
The 2024 Lady Lion newcomers' future teammates will open the 2023 season Feb. 10 at 3 p.m., hosting Creighton as part of the annual Lion Classic at North Oak Park.
 
2024 Southeastern Softball Signing Class Profiles
Chloe Bennett | P | Rosepine, Louisiana | LSU Eunice | Rosepine HS
Earned All-America honors as a freshman at LSU Eunice … Finished 2022 with a 23-10 record and 240 strikeouts in 197.1 innings pitched … After helping the Bengals to a fifth-place showing at the NJCAA Tournament, she was named to the All-Tournament team … Junior college teammate of current SLU outfielder Madalynn Leal … Finished 26-2 with 341 strikeouts on the way to being named All-Cenla MVP as a senior at Rosepine High School.
Head Coach Rick Fremin on Bennett: "Chloe is going to be a great addition to our pitching staff. She's a proven winner after taking LSU Eunice to the NJCAA World Series last season. We're excited about adding Chloe to our program."
 
Addison Contorno | OF | Livingston, Louisiana | Copiah-Lincoln CC | Doyle HS
Class 2A All-State and all-district performer at Doyle High School … Helped team to appearance in the state championship game as a sophomore … Played for Louisiana Blazers travel ball organization.
Fremin on Contorno: "Addison is a left-handed power hitter that can help us in many different areas. She has the ability to play all three outfield positions."'
 
Breanna Fontenot | OF | Moss Bluff, Louisiana | Sam Houston HS
Standout performer at Sam Houston High School in both softball and basketball … Returning from an injury that kept her out in 2022 … Represented the Bullet travel ball program.
Fremin on Fontenot: "Breanna comes from a great high school program. We expect her to be able to hit for power and play all three outfield positions."
 
Faith Kivett | UT | Tallulah, Louisiana | Copiah-Lincoln CC | Tallulah Academy
All-Region 23 and All-MACCC performer as a freshman at Copiah-Lincoln Community College … Batted .438 with 70 hits, 55 runs scored and 26 stolen bases in debut season … Junior college teammate of current Lady Lion pitcher Cera Blanchard … Standout performer in softball and track and field at Tallulah Academy.
Fremin on Kivett: "Faith is a versatile player than can play shortstop or the outfield. She is going to add a lot of speed to our lineup."
 
Mykail Lusco | IF | Harahan, Louisiana | Dominican HS
All-state performer at St. Mary's Dominican High School … Standout on the volleyball court was part of a state championship team … Plays for the D1Vision travel ball program.
Fremin on Lusco: "Mykail is a third baseman and shortstop that hits for power from the right side. Her power and arm strength really stood out to us during the recruiting process."
 
Chloe Magee | IF | Watson, Louisiana | Live Oak HS
All-Parish defensive MVP at Live Oak High School … Multi-sport athlete excels on the volleyball court … 2022 LOHS Homecoming Queen … Father, Danny, was a sixth round draft pick of the Atlanta Braves in 1993 … Louisiana Blazers product.
Fremin on Magee: "Chloe is one of the top high school players in Louisiana. She's a speedster that can play multiple infield positions for us."
 
Gabby Mitchell | UT | Eunice, Louisiana | Eunice HS
First team all-state and District 4-4A MVP as a junior at Eunice High School … Hit .535 with 16 home runs, nine triples, nine doubles, 60 RBI and 53 runs scored in 2022 … Coached by former SLU baseball and football player Trennon Trosclair … Played for the Student-Athlete Advancement travel ball team.
Fremin on Mitchell: "Gabby received interest from multiple teams throughout the state and we're excited to add one of Louisiana's best power hitters. She's a true first baseman, but can also play all three outfield positions."
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Softball, follow @LionUpSoftball on Twitter and Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
HOME RUN CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the softball program are encouraged to join the Home Run Club. Lady Lion softball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Home Run Club and S Club (softball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern softball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events (softball, baseball, football and basketball), effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.