Fifth 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 outfield returns two of its three starters and add a freshman speedster to produce a solid unit to cover the Tiger Park grass.
Returning for the Tigers are two-time All-American Leslie Klein and two-year starter Quinlan Duhon. LSU will add freshman speedster Jazz Jackson to left field, replacing the departed Camille Harris. When needed, the Tigers can call upon Dee Dee Henderson and Rachel Mitchell without losing a step.
“The 2007 outfield will once again be anchored in center by All-American Leslie Klein,” said associate head coach James DeFeo. “Right field will be patrolled by Quinlan and Jazz Jackson will solidify the defense in left field. Junior speedster Dee Dee Henderson and the hard-hitting freshman Rachael Mitchell make this year’s Tiger outfield one of the most talented units in the SEC, if not the country.”
Klein earned All-America honors as a freshman in 2004 and again as a junior last season after being slowed as a sophomore during recovery from a second ACL tear in her knee. The senior from Sunrise, Fla., ranked in the top 10 in the SEC in nine offensive categories a year ago, including batting average, runs scored, RBIs and home runs. In addition, she did not commit an error in the field.
“Throughout her career, Leslie has established herself as one of the most powerful forces on the softball field that the SEC has ever seen,” said DeFeo. “With her potent bat and flawless defense, she can beat you in several different ways.”
After starting 51 of LSU’s 67 games in right last season, Duhon returns for her third season patrolling the Tiger outfield. The junior from Youngsville, La., scored the walk-off game-winning run in the NCAA Regional Championship game last year against UL-Lafayette and posted 10 multiple-hit games on the season.
“Quinlan brings intensity and desire to the playing field that is rivaled by few,” said DeFeo. “She has developed her defensive skills to become of our most dependable defenders. At the plate she can beat you with power, but she is also one of our best situational hitters in the lineup.”
The Most Valuable Player of the Texas All-Star Game and a two-time district MVP from Houston, Jackson will take in left field. Her quickness will be an effective tool for LSU both at the plate and in the field, continuing the long line of Tiger speedsters in the outfield.
“Jazz will add even more speed to the 2007 Tiger outfield,” said DeFeo. “This crafty lefty from Houston can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time and can make all of the plays defensively. Her arm strength and accuracy has improved greatly since the fall and will be a welcomed asset to the Tiger defense.”
One of the most feared base stealers in the SEC for the past two years, Henderson has stepped up her play in the field. Mitchell comes in as a two-time Texas all-state selection that has a tremendous bat. The pair will add great depth to the Tiger outfield.
“Dee Dee’s defensive skills have improved greatly and she will be feared for more than her offensive speed in the near future,” said DeFeo. “Rachel has been developing all aspects of her game, both on offense and defense, and will prove to be one of LSU’s most versatile outfielders in this talent-rich group.”