Softball signee - Nicky Dawson

Freak

Any national record is a heck of an accomplishment.

A different softball signee broke a home run record as well. Exciting times on the horizon for LSU softball.

Probably going to be one of the most versatile players in LSU history. You look at her and think power. She swings the bat so aggressively but her speed is just as deadly. She definitely will bat in the lead off or two hole next year if she continues to work hard.

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Her name is Ashlee Ducote

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*Weems, but Ashley is good people.

As for Nicky, she was indeed the indoor 60 meter state champion....in her division. She would have placed 3rd in the higher division. I too am leery of us putting too many expectations on a high school senior. Excited, yes. But slow it down a bit.

Message boards have zero impact on a players performance. I could say she's the best pure ball player in the history of NCAA softball and it doesn't put any undue pressure on her whatsoever. Some of y'all really need to get over yourselves.

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Message boards have zero impact on a players performance. I could say she's the best pure ball player in the history of NCAA softball and it doesn't put any undue pressure on her whatsoever. Some of y'all really need to get over yourselves.

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In no place did I say it would have any impact on her performance. In no place did I say that it put any undue pressure on her, either. Possibly, you could use a bit of help in the reading comprehension department. I was saying we need to temper putting up expectations for a kid (regardless of the sport) who is not even through playing her senior season. She has been called everything from the greatest athlete to ever play college softball in history, to being able to come in and compete as a track athlete for LSU if she wanted to. The first is most definitely yet to be determined, but you can see how that is setting up fans expectations to be nothing but disappointed if she doesn't hit 40 triples, 20 home runs, and have a 1.000 fielding percentage. The second part of that is that she wasn't even the fastest girl at the meet in Louisiana. LSU recruits nationwide. It's a tall order to expect a girl who basically finished 3rd at state to come in and be able to compete as one of the fastest women in the country knowing that. She is extremely fast, but this is exactly what I was getting at.

She is a phenomenal athlete, a good kid, and I'm sure will do great things at LSU. But as a fan base we have to stop setting goals that are nearly unattainable for anyone to meet. We've seen it with LF as a freshman, Simmons, and I see folks going down the same path with Nicky.

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People aren't as emotionally invested in softball as they are in football and basketball.

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Depends who you are talking to. Some people care as much about softball as they do football.

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What year does your child graduate from Parkview?

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I do not have any children that attend Parkview, nor do I have any affiliation with them in any way.

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The second part of that is that she wasn't even the fastest girl at the meet in Louisiana. LSU recruits nationwide. It's a tall order to expect a girl who basically finished 3rd at state to come in and be able to compete as one of the fastest women in the country knowing that.

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I'm just happy to see softball discussion in the big board!

I think you are missing the point here. I do personally know her and have watched her play against some of my family members for the past few years. I'm not sure calling her the best athlete in softball has really anything to do with softball skills as much as being an absolute athletic freak. If you haven't seen her in person it really is hard to opine on her athleticism. Athleticism is pretty easy to gauge. You're talking about a multi national record holder in softball. You just don't see that everyday in any sport.

As for track, you can't compare times of separate events to determine who is the fastest. Dawson was only beat in a finals this year head to head by O'Connor from Zachary (a consensus top 3 national sprinter). She showed up to run the 60 meters at the request of her track coach after never running track or even setting up in blocks. O'Connor is a seasoned, big time sprinter that has trained for years and has her choice of big time schools to attend. Dawson ran with her and actually lead through 30 meters in her FIRST RACE EVER! This would constitute a big time sprinter future if she decided to go this route. What would Dawson be on the track with training and focus on just this sport? I think that answer is apparent. She is the fastest softball player most followers of the game have ever seen. Put O'Connor on the softball field running home to third and she would find the same fate Dawson found on the track.

I think we are all making way to big a deal out of the thoughts us "know it alls" make on message boards. I for one happen to love LSU and LSU softball is my favorite sport. I'm not sure why people think fans pumping up players is a bad thing. She may never play an inning but she is a mega talent and a very nice girl and I wish her nothing but the best. I've even been accused of being Ashlee Ducote on this thread, haha, its a great day!

Anyway, Geaux Tigers!!

Oh I know her and know her very well. Have seen her play since 7th grade. And my lil sis coaches her at Parkview.