BATON ROUGE — LSU softball head coach Yvette Girouard announced the signing of Lauren Houston on Tuesday to close out LSU’s recruiting class in the early signing period.
Houston, a native of Youngsville, La., has started at catcher for three seasons at St. Thomas More High School. Last season as a junior, Houston hit .436 with two homeruns, 10 doubles and 22 runs batted in. Houston also finished with a .586 slugging percentage and a .498 on base percentage.
“With this signing class the coaching staff feels like we signed one of the better battery combinations in the country with the signing of Rachele Fico and Lauren Houston,” Girouard said.
Behind the plate Houston was outstanding with a .987 fielding percentage as well as throwing out 11 of 13 runners attempting to steal. She also picked seven runners off base. Her numbers earned her 2008 first-team all-district and first-team all-acadiana honors as well as honorable mention all-state recognition.
Houston also excelled her junior season as she helped St. Thomas More claim the 2007 Class 4A state title, earning 2007 district most valuable player honors, first-team all-district, first-team all-acadiana and first-team all-state honors. In her sophomore season, Houston earned first-team all-district, first-team all-acadiana and first-team all-state honors.
“The daughter of Rodney and Monique, Lauren Houston is a natural spark plug behind the plate with a incredibly strong arm and an impressive quick release,” Girouard said. “Our pitchers will love throwing to her as she does a fantastic job blocking, throwing and picking runners off and has a personality behind the dish. She will add depth to our catching position and will solidify our roster needs. She will continue the legacy of great Tiger softball players from St. Thomas More in Lafayette.”
Houston will be eligible to compete for LSU in fall 2009.