BATON ROUGE — The LSU softball team received National Letters of Intent from three student-athletes during the fall signing period, as announced by head coach Yvette Girouard on Friday.
Ashley Applegate of Modesto, Calif., Starla Guffey of Prairieville and Jessica Mouse of Tampa, Fla. have all signed to play for the Tigers beginning in the 2008 season.
“Speed, athleticism, power and energy describe the signing class of 2006 for LSU Softball,” said Girouard.
Applegate, an outfielder from Fred C. Beyer High School, led the Modesto area in batting average and stolen bases last season. A three-time all-league selection, including two-straight first-team honors, she earned all-district honors in 2006 and is a two-time academic all-softball selection for the Patriots.
The daughter of Greg and Angie Applegate, Applegate hit .493 last season, including eight doubles and two triples, with 19 stolen bases in 20 attempts. Her led her summer league team, the California Grapettes, to a 13th pace finish in the ASA Gold Nationals.
“Ashley will add another weapon in the short game,” said Girouard. “She has very, very good bat control and creates havoc offensively. More than likely, she will roam centerfield but also plays an unbelievably good second base. A great athlete who also played water polo for her high school team, she too committed to the Tigers early and never looked elsewhere for her college experience.”
A 2006 First-Team NFCA High School All-American, Guffey led St. Amant High School to the Louisiana state championship and a No. 8 final ranking nationally after posting a 33-4-1 record. The powerful catcher threw out 17 of 25 runners who attempted to steal on her, while hitting .473 with 44 RBIs and 40 runs scored.
The daughter of Randy and Delana Guffey, she only struck out six times in 119 at-bats while recording eight doubles and 15 home runs. In addition to All-America honors, Guffey was the Most Outstanding Player of Louisiana Class 5A and a two-time all-state selection.
“Starla is one of the best pure hitters to come out of Louisiana in some time,” said Girouard. “We first saw her as an eighth grader and knew we wanted her to become a Tiger. She possesses incredible power as evidenced by her high school statistics. Starla will see time behind the plate or man one of the corner positions. Committing to the Tigers last fall, she did not waver and never took another visit.”
The second NFCA All-American to sign with the Tigers in 2006, Mouse earned third-team All-American honors last season. The third baseman led George D. Chamberlain High School to the state semifinals with a record of 26-4. The Florida Class 5A first-team all-state selection and Hillsborough County Softball Player of the Year, she hit .448 with 20 RBIs, three home runs and 28 runs scored.
The daughter of Tim and Gail Mouse, she moved throughout the world during her childhood as a military child while her dad has served in the United State Air Force. In 2004, she was the only freshman selected to the New Jersey all-state team, earning first-team honors while playing for Northern Burlington High School. Mouse went on to earn New Jersey first-team all-state honors again as a sophomore and Florida first-team all-state honors as a junior.
“Jessica has been committed to the Tigers since her sophomore year and has never deterred in her decision,” said Girouard. “Mouse will be a fantastic addition to the team not only with incredible athletic skills, as evidenced by her fielding percentage, but by the fact that she loves LSU and will always represent the purple and gold with incredible skill and character. Jess is a tremendous defensive player who could either catch or play third for the Tigers. She will fill both needs for our team and add a very potent bat to our lineup.”