BATON ROUGE — One year after one of the finest seasons in LSU softball history, which saw the Tigers win their seventh SEC Western Division title, fifth SEC regular season championship and fourth SEC Tournament title while advancing to the Women’s College World Series for the second time in four years, LSU returns eight highly acclaimed and experienced players while adding nine outstanding newcomers to provide the Tigers with tremendous potential in 2005.
LSU, which began spring practice with two-a-days the first week of January, are now their regular daily practice sessions at 2 p.m. at Tiger Park. The Tigers open the 2005 campaign on Feb. 11 at the UNLV Desert Classic in Las Vegas against Central Florida at 5 p.m. (CT).
“Coaches dream – those are the simple words to describe our affection and respect for this team,” said head coach Yvette Girouard. “We have a great blend of nine newcomers with our talented returners that has presented our staff with talent, depth, options, tremendous student-athletes and most importantly players who desire to do the right thing for their team everyday.”
Despite the addition of many new players to the system, LSU went through the fall season with few growing pains as the players steadily advanced toward the spring schedule.
“Our fall season could not have gone better, with teaching our system and our players progressing the way we thought they should,” said Girouard.
Despite losing a pair of All-Americans and two All-SEC performers, the four returning position starters, including an All-American and two All-South Region performers, bring a work ethic and knowledge of what it takes to be successful to the team.
The newcomers will fill the gaps left behind and each will be called upon to perform for the team throughout the season. So, while the lineup may have changed, the team will have the same Tiger pride and same Tiger intensity as always.
“Our fans will see many new faces that will all contribute at some point this season,” Girouard said. “This is basically a very different team than the one that left the WCWS field last year, but one our fans will enjoy watching for the simple fact that these players have tremendous pride in their performances. Our staff is excited for our players to wear the purple and gold because they truly seem to love playing softball.”
LSU came within seven outs of the national championship game a year ago and the players know the type of hard work and dedication it takes to get back as they dream of advancing one step further and winning the Tigers’ first national championship.
PITCHERS
Pitching will once again be a key to LSU’s success. Despite a young and inexperienced staff, the Tigers will have added depth this season with the addition of two freshmen. Sophomore Emily Turner (Chula Vista, Calif.) is the only returning member of the pitching staff, while LSU brings in Megan Jolly (Owensboro, Ky.) and Tiffany Garcia (LaPorte, Texas).
An All-SEC Freshman team selection in 2004, Turner posted an 18-5 record with 108 strikeouts in 28 appearances with five wins over top 25 teams, including three over teams ranked in the top 10.
“Emily has the only game experience and has grown by leaps and bounds in one year,” said Girouard. “She has a real concept now of technique and an incredible work ethic.”
The 2004 Miss Kentucky Softball, Jolly was a high school All-American at Owensboro Catholic. She led the Lady Aces to the 2003 Kentucky state championship and a return trip to the state title game in 2004.
“Megan is a very promising newcomer who possesses incredible spin on her movement pitches,” said Girouard. “She is a tremendous competitor who has the correct mental capacity as a pitcher in order to be successful.”
Garcia was a two-time all-state selection at LaPorte High School and led the Bulldogs to a No. 5 national ranking as a senior. She posted a 30-2 record with 248 strikeouts.
“Tiffany is a very deceptive and effective talent on the mound,” said Girouard. “She provides added depth to the staff and has a very different look from both Emily and Megan.”
CATCHERS
The Tigers have two outstanding catchers to choose from this season in Kristen Hobbs (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Killian Roessner (Manasquan, N.J.). The pair excel defensively, while also adding to the LSU offensive lineup.
“The 2005 campaign will see Hobbs and Roessner anchoring the catching duties for the Tigers,” said associate head coach James DeFeo.
Hobbs returns for her sophomore season after a solid freshman campaign playing behind Leigh Ann Danos last year.
Successful at both the high school and summer ball levels, Roessner brings experience far beyond her freshman level.
“Last year, Hobbs played a solid role behind the plate while battling some nagging injuries and looks for her second season to be her breakout year at LSU. Roessner comes in as one of the program’s most decorated and experienced catchers, coming off a 2004 Women’s Major National Championship with the storied Stratford Brakettes. She will be counted on to make an immediate impact.”
INFIELDERS
With the departure of Julie Wiese and Sara Fitzgerald from the Tiger infield, LSU will have a completely different look this season. The Tigers return juniors Stephanie Hill (Harahan, La.) and Lauren Delahoussaye (Lafayette, La.), while adding freshmen Andrea Smith (Moreno Valley, Calif.) and Vanessa Soto (San Diego, Calif.).
“With two freshmen up the middle and two juniors at the corners, our infield will be considered quite young,” said assistant coach Lori Osterberg. “However, these girls have instincts and skills that are comparable to those of true veterans. Our infielders are devoted to becoming reliable, consistent defenders and their steadiness in the field is attributed to their solid fundamentals.”
The only returning player to remain in her role from a year ago is Hill, who took over the starting job at first base early in 2004. Delahoussaye, who started every game at shortstop last year, will move over to third base this season.
“Del and Hill will be the cornerstones of our infield,” said Osterberg. “Their unwavering leadership and stability will carry our infielders through tight situations. Lauren has shown that she is a great fit for third base. Her strong arm and quick release will be an asset in defending the bunt and short game. Stephanie has a presence about her at first base. Her infielders trust her ability to catch everything they throw her way.”
Up the middle, Smith takes over the reigns at shortstop once filled by her older sister, Blair, for two seasons (2002-03). A member of the All-California Interscholastic Federation team with Smith, Soto joins a long list of solid second basemen for the Tigers. The duo forms a formidable defensive pair at the heart of the LSU infield.
“It didn’t take long for Andrea and Vanessa to gel up the middle,” said Osterberg. “They fit like hand in glove and have some similarities in their flashy style of play. They both have smooth gloves and great arm strength. Their game awareness and ball sense has enabled them to adapt rather quickly to our Tiger defense.”
OUTFIELDERS
One of the most highly decorated outfields in the country last season will once again be one of the best in the nation. Despite losing All-American LaDonia Hughes, LSU returns All-American Leslie Klein (Sunrise, Fla.) and WCWS All-Tournament team selection Camille Harris (Hendersonville, Tenn.). In addition, the Tigers return Lauren Castle (Lafayette, La.) and Lauren Uhle (Harahan, La.), who will also battle for playing time in the outfield.
“Making the outstanding play seem routine, the Tigers will once again assemble one of the best outfielding units in the nation,” said associate head coach James DeFeo. “Klein and Harris will again be patrolling the green grass at Tiger Park. The two returning Laurens, Castle and Uhle, will be battling to secure the third and final position in the outfield.”
The new additions to the LSU outfield include Louisiana all-state selections Quinlan Duhon (Youngsville, La.) and Heidi Robin (Breaux Bridge, La.), California all-CIF selection Erika Sluss (Vista, Calif.) and Texas speedster Dee Dee Henderson (Marietta, Texas).
“With the addition of four stellar freshmen, Duhon, Sluss, Henderson, and Robin, the LSU outfield will have the much needed depth to make this position one of the true strengths of the Tiger program,” said DeFeo.
AT THE PLATE
After one of the best seasons at the plate in Tiger history, LSU returns four of its top five hitters from a year ago, including over 70 percent of the run production.
“The Tiger attack hitting corps is looking to reload in 2005 by returning four All-SEC and All-South Region selections, one All-American and one All-WCWS Tournament Team member,” said DeFeo. “Klein, who set the LSU single season record for home runs last year with 14, will have all-conference teammates Castle, Hill, Delahoussaye, and not to mention All-WCWS hitter Harris back in the box to produce one of the nation’s most feared lineups.”
LSU also brings in power and speed to the lineup with the addition of several new faces.
“Hobbs and Roessner will be providing the power from the catching position, while freshmen Soto, Duhon, Smith, and Sluss will be looking to step up in 2005 and show the rest of the country how dangerous they can be offensively,” said DeFeo. “Rounding out the potent portion of the Tigers’ lineup, Uhle and freshmen Henderson and Robin will inject the much needed threat of speed to make this Tiger attack once again one of the most balanced and explosive offensive machines in the Division I ranks.”
SCHEDULE
Never shying away from tough competition, the Tigers will once again face a challenging schedule in 2005. With 27 games against teams that participated in NCAA Regional play last season, LSU will be put to the test as the Tigers pursue a second-straight Women’s College World Series berth.
The Tigers open the season on the road for the first time since 2001 as LSU travels to Las Vegas for the UNLV Desert Classic. The Tigers will then host the Tiger Classic before defending their tournament championship at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, which boasts 24 of the nation’s top teams. LSU will close out pre-conference play with the Purple & Gold Challenge.
“The schedule is a good early test for a very young team,” said Girouard. “Opening on the road at UNLV will show us immediately the maturation process needed for the challenging SEC schedule. Defending the NFCA Leadoff Classic title will be tough, but it is always an entertaining and challenging weekend.”
In SEC action, the Tigers open league play on the road at South Carolina and Georgia. LSU will also take on Mississippi State, Auburn and Florida on the road. All five of the Tigers’ road series are against teams that advanced to NCAA Regional play last season.
At home, LSU will host Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Ole Miss and 2004 SEC Eastern Division champion Tennessee. In addition, the Tigers will host non-conference games against Baylor and in-state rivals McNeese State, Nicholls State and Southeastern Louisiana.
“Visiting Tiger Park will be an array of good out of conference opponents including a very talented Baylor team,” said Girouard. “Two very big conference weekends are at home against Alabama and Tennessee, which should draw tremendous crowds.”