Vann Stuedeman announced the addition of two Arizona State transfer that will compete for MSU softball over the 2018-19 season.
Stuedeman Lands Transfers Loza, Leilua for 2018-19 Season
August 17, 2018 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Two Arizona State standouts are transitioning to the Maroon and White next season as Mississippi State softball head coach Vann Stuedeman announced the additions of Alyssa Loza and Fa Leilua on Friday.
Leilua, a standout outfielder from Manhattan Beach, Calif., played two seasons for the Sun Devils en route to National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-West Region Team selection. A right-handed pitcher from Torrance, Calif., Loza maintained a 1.17 ERA over her two seasons at Arizona State.
"We are beyond excited about the presence that Fa brings to the game with both her athleticism and sheer power," said assistant softball coach Tyler Bratton. "Fa led her Arizona State team in homers both her freshman and sophomore years, and her power is one of the many things that caught our eye. Heralding from the deep California softball community, she brings a leadership quality that will fit in well with our culture."
Over her sophomore and freshman seasons, Leilua led the Sun Devils in home runs, slugging a total of 19 over her career at ASU. As a sophomore in 2017, Leilua held a .667 slugging percentage and recorded 44 RBIs. Disciplined at the plate, she led the team with 30 walks. She was lone Sun Devil appear in 40 or more games and not record an error.
Leilua turned in a breakout freshman season, earning 2016 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team and NFCA All-West Region Team honors. She led ASU at the plate with a .368 average and totaled 21 RBIs. One of the top hitters in the Pac-12, she ranked ninth in the conference in slugging (.395) and fifth in on-base percentage (.495).
Leilua played her senior season of high school at Hawthorn after spending three seasons as a first baseman and catcher for Mira Costa High School. She is the daughter of Sio and Paiao Leilua and has three older siblings. She intends to pursue a degree in philosophy.
"Alyssa Loza brings experience from both the collegiate level and the international level as she has innings in not only the Pac -12 but also for the Mexican National and Junior National Teams," Bratton said. "Her international competition has afforded her the opportunity to compete in Japan as well as compete in Oklahoma City at the World Cup. Loza has a strong command of the strike zone with a live arm and velocity clocked in the upper 60's."
Loza signed with Arizona State ranked as the No. 23 player in FLOSoftball's "Hot 100" recruits of the 2016 class. She closed her high school career with 40 wins to her credit. Over her senior season alone, Loza held a 1.06 ERA with 209 strikeouts.
Appearing in 10 games over her freshman season in 2017, Loza held a 4-2 record in the circle with a team-low 1.36 ERA as he allowed just seven earned runs over 36.0 innings pitched. Last season, Loza appeared in six contests, going 2-0 in the circle. She allowed just one earned run to hold a 0.58 ERA and struck out nine. She allowed just one walk as a sophomore and held opponents to a .119 average at the plate.
Loza has played with both the Mexican National and Junior National teams. She is the daughter of Jose and Guadalipe Loza. She intends to study marketing and management.
For more on Mississippi State softball, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
Leilua, a standout outfielder from Manhattan Beach, Calif., played two seasons for the Sun Devils en route to National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-West Region Team selection. A right-handed pitcher from Torrance, Calif., Loza maintained a 1.17 ERA over her two seasons at Arizona State.
"We are beyond excited about the presence that Fa brings to the game with both her athleticism and sheer power," said assistant softball coach Tyler Bratton. "Fa led her Arizona State team in homers both her freshman and sophomore years, and her power is one of the many things that caught our eye. Heralding from the deep California softball community, she brings a leadership quality that will fit in well with our culture."
Over her sophomore and freshman seasons, Leilua led the Sun Devils in home runs, slugging a total of 19 over her career at ASU. As a sophomore in 2017, Leilua held a .667 slugging percentage and recorded 44 RBIs. Disciplined at the plate, she led the team with 30 walks. She was lone Sun Devil appear in 40 or more games and not record an error.
Leilua turned in a breakout freshman season, earning 2016 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team and NFCA All-West Region Team honors. She led ASU at the plate with a .368 average and totaled 21 RBIs. One of the top hitters in the Pac-12, she ranked ninth in the conference in slugging (.395) and fifth in on-base percentage (.495).
Leilua played her senior season of high school at Hawthorn after spending three seasons as a first baseman and catcher for Mira Costa High School. She is the daughter of Sio and Paiao Leilua and has three older siblings. She intends to pursue a degree in philosophy.
"Alyssa Loza brings experience from both the collegiate level and the international level as she has innings in not only the Pac -12 but also for the Mexican National and Junior National Teams," Bratton said. "Her international competition has afforded her the opportunity to compete in Japan as well as compete in Oklahoma City at the World Cup. Loza has a strong command of the strike zone with a live arm and velocity clocked in the upper 60's."
Loza signed with Arizona State ranked as the No. 23 player in FLOSoftball's "Hot 100" recruits of the 2016 class. She closed her high school career with 40 wins to her credit. Over her senior season alone, Loza held a 1.06 ERA with 209 strikeouts.
Appearing in 10 games over her freshman season in 2017, Loza held a 4-2 record in the circle with a team-low 1.36 ERA as he allowed just seven earned runs over 36.0 innings pitched. Last season, Loza appeared in six contests, going 2-0 in the circle. She allowed just one earned run to hold a 0.58 ERA and struck out nine. She allowed just one walk as a sophomore and held opponents to a .119 average at the plate.
Loza has played with both the Mexican National and Junior National teams. She is the daughter of Jose and Guadalipe Loza. She intends to study marketing and management.
For more on Mississippi State softball, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference vs Texas (WCWS) 5/29/26
Friday, May 29
SOFTBALL | Postgame Press Conference at Oklahoma (NCAAT) 5/28/26
Thursday, May 28
SOFTBALL | Women's College World Series Media Day Press Conference
Wednesday, May 27
SOFTBALL | Super Regional at Oklahoma Game 3 Highlights - 5/24/26
Sunday, May 24