BATON ROUGE – LSU senior outfielder/pitcher Kirsten Shortridge was one of 12 players to garner All-SEC Preseason Team accolades Wednesday as chosen by the league’s coaches.
“Kirsten was everything we built her up to be last season and has looked phenomenal during our spring practices,” head coach Yvette Girouard said. “This honor from the SEC coaches recognizes her for how great of a ballplayer she is. Kirsten is truly a six-tool player that possesses great speed and can hit for power as our leadoff hitter. She also has a tremendous arm and great range as our starting centerfield. Mix that in with her pitching prowess, and we look forward to a humongous year from her.”
Shortridge sparked the Tiger offense and racked up a .426 batting average on a team-high 80 hits last season. Her .426 average was second-highest, while the 80 hits were tied for eighth-most in program history over a single season. The Keller, Texas product ranked inside the SEC’s Top 7 in hits (80), batting average (.426), multi-hit games (26) and stolen bases (26) en route to All-SEC First-Team, NFCA All-South Region First-Team and NFCA All-America Third-Team selections.
Shortridge also compiled a 5-4 record with a 3.21 ERA over 15 appearances in the circle highlighted by marquee victories over 2009 Women’s College World Series participants Alabama and Arizona State.
The Tigers square off against No. 19 North Carolina, No. 21 DePaul and host Texas, a trio of 2009 NCAA Tournament squads, at the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational starting on Friday.
Season and individual game tickets are on-sale now and can be purchased online on LSUSports.net, the official Web site of LSU Athletics. Tickets also can be purchased in person at the ticket office on the first floor of the Athletics Administration Building or by calling (225) 578-2184 or (800) 960-8587.
Fans are encouraged to get their season tickets to guarantee great seats for LSU’s impressive home slate that features 16 games against 2009 NCAA Tournament teams highlighted by match-ups against Michigan and Georgia, a pair of Women’s College World Series squads.
Preseason All-SEC Team, Pos. Ht. Cl. Hometown
Aja Paculba, Florida, IF 5-3 Jr. Wildomar, Fla.
Alisa Goler, Georgia, IF 5-6 Jr. Frankfort, Ill.
Molly Johnson, Kentucky, IF 5-8 Sr. Tucson, Ariz.
Lauren Grill, Ole Miss, IF 5-6 Sr. Tualatin, Ore.
Kelsey Bruder, Florida, OF 5-5 Jr. Corona, Calif.
Francesca Enea, Florida, OF 5-8 Sr. Woodland Hills, Calif.
Taylor Schlopy, Georgia, OF 5-2 Jr. West Hills, Calif.
Kirsten Shortridge, LSU, OF 5-11 Sr. Keller, Texas
Kelsi Dunne, Alabama, P 6-0 Jr. Port Orange, Fla.
Stephanie Brombacher, Florida, P 5-10 Jr. Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Chelsea Bramlett, Mississippi State C 5-8 Sr. Cordova, Tenn.
Charlotte Morgan, Alabama, U/DP 5-10 Sr. Moreno Valley, Calif.