BATON ROUGE — The LSU softball team received National Letters of Intent from four student-athletes during the fall signing period, as announced by head coach Yvette Girouard on Monday.
Jazmine Jackson of Houston, Texas, Cody Trahan of Orange, Texas, Rachel Mitchell of LaPorte, Texas, and Stacey Woods of Sulphur, La., have all signed to play for the Tigers beginning in the 2007 season.
“The coaching staff is extremely excited about this group of players, who we feel will make an immediate impact on our lineup, both offensively and defensively,” said Girouard. “With this signing class, we have added speed, natural hitting skills, and more quality pitching. Included with these talented individuals, we welcome a group of very supportive parents who have instilled in their daughters the correct balance of academic achievement, which compliment their athletic accomplishment.”
Jackson, an outfielder from Bellaire High School, will be exciting for Tiger fans to watch. She possesses speed that is useful in both the outfield and around the basepath. The daughter of KC and Nichole Jackson, she is following in the footsteps of her idol, former Tiger all-star Dee Douglas, in signing with LSU.
“Jazmine will remind long time Tiger fans of Dee Douglas when they see her blazing speed in the outfield and rounding the bases,” said Girouard. “In fact, LSU has been a childhood dream of Jaz since watching her idol, Dee, play. A great looking outfielder, she can do it all – slap, bunt, hit for power, steal bases and roam the outfield with a great throwing arm. Jazmine will be fun to watch and add excitement to our lineup for years to come.”
A pitcher and hitter from Orange, Texas, Trahan was the 2004 Orange County Softball Athlete of the Year and was named the Most Valuable Player at the AFA National Tournament in Beaumont, where her team won the national championship this past summer. The Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School star led her team to a preseason No. 1 ranking in the state of Texas before being injured midway through the season.
“Cody is one of the best pitchers and power hitters to come out of talent rich Texas,” said Girouard. “She will provide added depth to our pitching rotation and will be counted on to provide additional pop to our offensive lineup.”
A former high school teammate of current LSU pitcher Tiffany Garcia, Mitchell is an outstanding hitter. A Texas Girl’s Coaches Association all-state selection, the left-handed batter is very versatile at the plate and will be used by the Tigers in several ways.
“Rachel is simply a pure hitter,” said Girouard. “She has great hand-eye coordination and is a threat to lay down a bunt, but has the ability to hit for the cycle at any time in a game. She can also put any pitch out of the yard. Surprisingly quick, she will make a great leadoff hitter.”
The lone signee from Louisiana, Woods is a former teammate of current LSU freshman Fallon Fisher. A three-time all-state selection for Sulphur High School, she earned NFCA all-region honors last year. A natural right-handed hitter, she can also slap from the left side to utilize her speed.
“Stacey is a pure ball player, as evidenced by her attitude and aggressiveness on the field,” said Girouard. “A true utility player who will probably see time in the outfield, she has the ability to slap, bunt or hit it out of the park. Stacey will be a great addition speed wise to our offensive lineup.”