This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ Athletics Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
TORONTO -- Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers has emerged as one of the top power-hitting backstops in Major League Baseball over the past few years. But he is not the only member of the Langeliers family showing off their skills on the diamond.
Shea’s sister, Alexa, has taken the national stage this week by helping lead Texas Tech to its first-ever Women’s College World Series victory in program history. Alexa transferred to Texas Tech last summer to continue playing for head coach Gerry Glasco, who coached her over her previous three seasons at Louisiana Lafayette.
After making the All-Louisiana First Team and All-Sun Belt Second Team in 2024, Alexa has continued her success as the starting second baseman for the Red Raiders this season, hitting .329 with eight home runs, six doubles, nine stolen bases and 40 RBIs in 59 games.
Following Thursday’s series opener against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, Shea got back to the team hotel and immediately flipped the channel on his TV to ESPN2 to watch his sister advance further in the winner’s bracket with a 1-0 win over Ole Miss.
“I was able to catch the sixth and seventh inning,” said Shea. "I wish I could be around to go watch more of her games. But I’m so proud of her. It’s been fun to watch that whole Texas Tech team.”
As Alexa’s older brother by about five years, Shea, 27, had a natural influence on her journey into softball. Of course, they are both the children of their father, Steve, a die-hard Mets fan who named his son after Shea Stadium, the home of the Mets before they moved to Citi Field.
“She used to come along with me to watch all my baseball tournaments growing up,” Shea said, adding that Alexa is the more athletic of the two. “I guess that’s where it all began for her.”
The quest for a national championship continues for Alexa, as No. 12-seeded Texas Tech is set for a showdown with No. 9 UCLA on Saturday at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. That game begins at 7 p.m. ET, which gives Shea an opportunity to catch the entire game this time around.
“I’ll be watching,” Shea said with a smile.