Third in a seven-part softball series previewing the 2007 season leading up to the season-opening Easton Tiger Classic Tournament at Tiger Park on Feb. 9-11.
BATON ROUGE — The 2007 LSU softball team returns two veteran catchers in Killian Roessner and Kristen Hobbs. Hobbs saw the most work behind the plate in 2005, but surgery limited her playing time in 2006, allowing Roessner to step into the starting role.
“LSU will have much experience returning at the catcher’s position with Kristen and Killian anchoring the defense for the second year in a row,” said LSU associate head coach James DeFeo. “Both Hobbs and Roessner have been voted to captain roles and look to provide solid leadership and direction from behind the plate as well as in the batter’s box.”
Taking over behind the plate last season, Roessner made an immediate impact on the team. The junior from Manasquan, N.J. began calling her own games, while recording the third most putouts in the Southeastern Conference. In addition, she recorded the third highest number of runners caught stealing compared to stolen base attempts in the league, gunning down 16 runners in 43 attempts.
“Roessner returns for her junior year as one of the more vocal leaders for this Tiger squad,” said DeFeo. “We are looking for Killian to build upon last year’s game experience and be one of the cornerstones for this veteran-laden roster. Roessner plays the game all out, and provides the passion and fire that it takes to lead a team to their highest level.”
Hobbs, a senior from Royal Palm Beach, Fla., was sidelined most of last season while she recovered from offseason ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, commonly known as Tommy John surgery, which limited her to only seven game appearances and five at-bats.
“Being sidelined for most of the 2006 season, we look for Kristen to come back with a vengeance for her senior year,” said DeFeo. “Kristen worked incredibly hard all fall on her game and looks to be back to playing form this spring. She is a veteran player that brings knowledge and heart to the team.”