Heritage Academy Softball Builds Dynasty in Laveen

Coach Steve LaDrigue has cultivated a closely bonded team that has won back-to-back 2A state titles in Arizona.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:10pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a high school softball game, with sharp planes of bright colors representing the dynamic energy and teamwork of the Heritage Academy squad.The Heritage Academy softball team's tightly bonded culture and unconventional path to success is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration.Phoenix Today

Heritage Academy, a small 2A school in Laveen, Arizona, has become a powerhouse in high school softball under the leadership of coach Steve LaDrigue. LaDrigue, who is coaching his youngest daughter Amaya in her senior season, has built a tightly knit team by starting a club travel program called Team Hustle that has fed players into the high school program. Many of Heritage's top players have been with LaDrigue since they were 9 or 10 years old, playing travel ball together and developing a strong team culture. Heritage has won the past two 2A state championships and is seeking a third this year.

Why it matters

Heritage Academy's softball success has made them a point of pride for the Laveen community. The school's small size and unconventional approach to building a powerhouse program through a club travel team demonstrates how dedicated coaching, player development, and team chemistry can overcome resource challenges and produce winning results at the high school level.

The details

Coach Steve LaDrigue started the Team Hustle club travel softball program in order to provide access and opportunities for players who might not otherwise be able to afford travel ball. When he moved his family to Laveen in 2017, he saw a need to bring the program there as well. Many of Heritage Academy's top players, including senior first baseman Amaya LaDrigue, have been part of Team Hustle since they were 9 or 10 years old, playing together and developing strong bonds. This has translated to success at the high school level, with Heritage winning the past two 2A state championships and seeking a third this year.

  • Heritage Academy won the 2A state championship in 2024 and 2025.
  • Amaya LaDrigue, the coach's daughter, is a senior this year at Heritage.

The players

Steve LaDrigue

The 10-year head coach of the Heritage Academy softball team, who has led the school to back-to-back 2A state championships. He also coached his two older daughters, Angelique and Taniyah, to titles with his club team before Heritage joined the Arizona Interscholastic Association.

Amaya LaDrigue

A senior first baseman at Heritage Academy who is committed to play college softball at Arizona Christian University. She has been part of her father's club team, Team Hustle, since she was 9 years old.

Rowan Asanovich

A senior middle infielder at Heritage Academy who was part of an Arizona Rising Appel club team that won the PGF Premier national championship last July.

Lilly "Goose" Goodwin

A pitcher for Desert Mountain High School who was also on the Arizona Rising Appel club team with Rowan Asanovich.

Team Hustle

The club travel softball program started by coach Steve LaDrigue that has fed many of the top players into the Heritage Academy high school team.

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What they’re saying

“Why has God blessed me like this? To have her as the youngest, it's been great. She's been with me since she was 9 years old, playing travel ball and to this stage. One day soon, I'm going to stand in that third base coach's box and I'm going to watch her take her last at-bat.”

— Steve LaDrigue, Head Coach, Heritage Academy Softball

“It's really cool when you look at how this team was built. In my first year here, I had the desire to start my own fast-pitch softball program, because one of my athletes on the team. I said, 'Why did you never play travel ball?' She said, 'It was so expensive.' So I was like, I could provide a lot of access to pitching coaches, hitting coaches, so I put together my own program.”

— Steve LaDrigue, Head Coach, Heritage Academy Softball

“You walk around the lake in Laveen, and they say, 'Oh, you're from Heritage.' It's cool to see.”

— Rowan Asanovich, Senior Middle Infielder, Heritage Academy

What’s next

Heritage Academy will look to capture its third consecutive 2A state championship this season, led by senior Amaya LaDrigue and a tightly bonded team that has grown up together through the Team Hustle club program.

The takeaway

Heritage Academy's softball success demonstrates how a dedicated coach, a focus on player development, and a strong team culture can help a small school overcome resource challenges and build a high school sports dynasty. The school's connection to the local community in Laveen has also made them a point of pride for the area.