Kaplan's Lexi Greene named Player of the Year

KAPLAN — The 2025 softball season started with little expectations for the Vermilion Parish softball teams, almost like their motto was “whatever happens, happens.”
For one team heading into the 2025 season, there was no heavy weight on their shoulders like the previous two years. The Lady Pirates were coming off a season in which they failed to defend their Division III, Non-Select state title despite returning most of their senior-strong lineup from the previous year.
The 2024 KHS team had many seniors who played in seven out of the nine positions. As a result, 2025 would be a year for Kaplan to rebuild.  However, no one told them.
Instead, the Lady Pirates won 29 games, stunned a few teams along the way, and reached Sulphur the year after the senior-led group had not.
They accomplished all this with a solid group of freshmen, sophomores, and a sprinkling of juniors and seniors.
Because of that, Kaplan head coach Brittney LeBeouf is named the Vermilion Parish Softball Coach of the Year.  While it may have been the most relaxed season to coach, LeBeouf said Kaplan worked hard to accomplish its goals. 
“There was no pressure on us like in years past,” said LeBeouf, who has won parish coach of the year two out of the last three years.  “We have had some talented teams come through, but the pressure got to us in the past.  They played not to lose but instead to win. Pressure burst pipes.”
The Lady Pirates began the 2025 year by winning six straight before losing back-to-back games against Division I teams that had a combined regular-season record of 46-12.
Then, Kaplan proceeded to win 21 straight regular-season games and was the top seed in the Division III, Non-Select playoffs when the playoffs began. In the semifinal game, the Lady Pirates faced a hot Doyle team that upset them and went on to win the state championship.
Looking back at the season, Coach LeBeouf described the year as “Phenomenal.”
“We went 29-3. They did a great job,” she said about her team.
One of those freshmen and sophomores who rose to the occasion was sophomore left-hand pitcher Lexi Greene. Greene saw some action on the hill last year behind then-senior pitcher Briley LeBeouf.
Briley graduated, leaving the weight to carry the team on the arm of Greene.  
Greene came through in a big way. Her overall record was 27-3, with 259 strikeouts and an earned run average of under two.
Her hard work earned her the title of Vermilion Parish Softball Player of the Year. She is the second person in her family to receive a Parish Player of the Year award.
Her father, Marcus Greene, a graduate of KHS, was named the parish’s Basketball Player of the Year in 2001. Additionally, her mother, Danielle, won the parish Coach of the Year award in 2011 while coaching girls’ basketball at Kaplan.
Winning the Vermilion Parish Player of the Year award never entered her mind because she did not know there was an award.
“I am grateful for this,” Greene said. “To be honest, I did not know this award existed.”
It is the fifth year in a row that a Lady Pirate won the Vermilion Parish Player of the Year award. Shortstop Kennedy Marceaux won it all four years she was in high school.
Greene said her success this year began long before the 2025 season started. She began preparing for 2025 last year when she pitched behind Briley LeBeouf.
“My freshman year, I was an out-of-control pitcher,” said Greene. “I worked on getting more consistent last year.”
With new faces on the field, it put some pressure on her to try and strike out every batter she faced. 
“There was some pressure on me,” she said. “But I also knew I had a good group of girls who had my back. We all needed to step up, including me.”
Coach LeBeouf said it is no accident Greene struck out  259 batters. 
“Lexi is a workhorse. She puts in the time,” said Coach LeBeouf. “There was no doubt in my mind she would be ready when we needed her to be ready. And, she was.”
Even though the Lady Pirates lost to Doyle in the semifinal game, Coach LeBeouf mentioned that it would have a positive impact on Greene. 
“Lexi took the Doyle loss hard. I think it will make her a better pitcher,” said Coach LeBeouf. “When we step on the field in 2026, she will be a different pitcher than this year. She will continue to work hard to improve every day. That separates a good player from a great player.”
She not only could pitch, but Greene was a solid hitter. In 32 games, she had a .485 batting average. She had five home runs,  two triples,  16 doubles, 27 singles, and knocked in 35 runs. Plus, she stole a team-high 33 bases.
The Lady Pirates landed eight players on the all-parish first team. They are catcher Addyson Hebert (.342 average, 29 RBI, 10 HR), first baseman Abbigale Ford (.406 average,  59 RBI, 6 HR), second baseman Baleigh Landry (.342,  30 RBI, 1 HR), and third baseman Cheyanne Breaux (.280, 21 RBI, 1 HR).
Other Kaplan first-teamers are  Emma Sherman (.321, 31 RBI, 6 HR) as the designated hitter, Drew Kass  (.244, 21 RBI) in the outfield, and Liberty Greene (.326, 21 RBI, 3 HR, 18 stolen bases)  as a utility player. 
North Vermilion landed four first-teamers,  including shortstop Emerson Kelly,  pitcher Kallie Gibson,  outfielder Nylah Harrison, and utility player Zoe Harrington. 
Players on the first team include utility players Jenna-Beth Hagle and Ali Broussard from VC, along with Sarinity Wallace from Abbeville. Kayleigh Perro from Erath is recognized as an all-parish outfielder.