Sixth 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 — Despite losing four bats from last season’s offense that ranked third in the Southeastern Conference, the LSU softball team returns its top two hitters from a year ago and over half percent of its run production.
The majority of the Tiger starting lineup now has two or more years under its belt, which provides added familiarity, while LSU has several young weapons off the bench, which puts the Tigers in a position to once again be a dangerous team at the plate.
“LSU returns a wealth of experience to the plate this year as the 2007 Tigers look to build upon their past success and once again be a dominant force in the conference as well as at a national level,” said associate head coach James DeFeo.
The Tigers leading hitter in two of her three seasons, Leslie Klein will once again be called upon to lead LSU at the plate. The senior already ranks in the top 10 in 10 separate offensive categories in Tiger softball history.
“Leading the Tiger attack offense will be Leslie Klein,” said DeFeo. “She has proven to be one of the most dominant offensive forces in LSU history.”
The six juniors in the starting lineup will be called upon to step up offensively again this season. Vanessa Soto ranked second on the team in hitting a year ago, while Quinlan Duhon, Killian Roessner and Andrea Smith provided solid bats in the rotation. New to the lineup this season will be Tayl’r Hollis and Shannon Stein, who should both be welcome additions. Erika Sluss should provide LSU with a solid bat off the bench when called upon.
“The supporting cast of standout juniors will bring this year’s squad to another level,” said DeFeo. “The spark of having Shannon in the lineup as an everyday player will energize the top of our order while the smooth swinging lefty Vanessa Soto will provide power and consistency.
“Andrea and newcomer Tayl’r Hollis will be counted on to produce clutch hits in prime time situations. Erika is coming off her best semester of fall practice and has emerged as one of the Tigers’ biggest bats.”
LSU has also added a powerful punch with the addition of a trio of freshmen. Conversely, the addition of Jazz Jackson, to go along with Dee Dee Henderson, gives the Tigers the added benefit of having speed on the base paths.
“With the addition of freshmen Cody Trahan, Rachel Mitchell, and Lindsay Hope, the Tigers will get a big boost of power from both sides of the plate,” said DeFeo. “Balancing out the Tiger attack offense are speed merchants Dee Dee Henderson and Jazz Jackson.
“This year’s offensive unit will have the best of all worlds! Speed, power and consistency, and looks to be one of the most balanced offenses LSU has fielded in years.”
LSU will open its season this Friday, Feb. 9 against Memphis at Tiger Park in the Easton Tiger Classic at 3:30 p.m. The Tigers will then take on Centenary, Middle Tennessee and Missouri before beginning bracket play in the three-day tournament.