LSU Softball Season Review

There were very high expectations this season, returning all starters except AJ Andrews and returning an elite pitching staff.
We started off very hot out the gates beating teams in dominating fashion. After the impressive opener against a top ranked Alabama team at home. We hit a brick wall in the middle of SEC play. Getting swept at home twice by Kentucky and Florida, not scoring a single run in the Kentucky series. After dropping the very first game against MSU, a late comeback in game two sparked a complete turnaround. Winning 12 of the last 13 regular season games, including a impressive victory of top ten ranked Washington team.

Momentum carried on into the SEC tourney, led by Sandra Simmons, we made it to the SEC championship game. Although we didn't host a super this year, this team found ways to win, going into JMU winning twice to advance to the CWS.

While the season was cut short by Oklahoma, we finished #3 in the country for the second year in the row. I know a lot of people were disappointed with the OU loss, but I don't think anyone was touching Oklhaoma this post season, they were on a completely different level than everyone else.

This staff did a tremendous job turning this thing around and making great adjustments. I am very excited about the future, we have a lot to be excited about

Next season will look very different, we lose a few of the best hitters in LSU history. Losing Bell, Kloss, and Simmons will be very difficult. They combined for 30 of our 53 Homeruns. We will have to replace three 4 year starters in the infield.

Luckily, Beth Torina signed a top three class that could be the most talented class in schools history when all said and done. We will have to rely on incoming freshman immediately.

Newcomers to Watch:

Amanda Doyle - Considered a top 20 player from California. After suffering an ACL injury a couple years ago, she is powerful as ever, and is expected to play somewhere in the infield immediately, specifically 3B. Doyle is known for what she brings to the plate. She brings a lot of power and can hit for high average. While dominant offensively, she has received many accolades for her defense. Expect an upgrade defensively at 3B.

Sydney Springfield -A very underrated player out from Texas. Sydney is a very powerful hitter and is expected to play 1B. She hit over .500 her senior year and finished with 9 HR's. That number could have been much higher as no one wanted to pitch to her, she got walked 1 out of 3 at bats practically. She has the ability to come in and start immediately. Expect her to put up strong numbers next year.

Nicky Dawson -She is considered a once in a lifetime player. Her highschool career sent a message to everyone around the country. She was heavily recruited by everyone around the country. Her speed is deadly, clocked at 10.7 seconds from home to HOME. The slapper can bunt, slap hit and hit for power. She hit over .700 her senior year. She is projected to play somewhere in the OF, although she is capable of playing anywhere on the infield.

Michal Cunningham- Elite player all the way out in Ohio. She was heavily recruited by all teams across the country. She picked LSU over UGA. She has had success at every level she has played at. While very good defensively, she is very good at the plate. She batted over .600 this year and last year, and she brings more power as well. She will likely be catching with Jaquish next season. Although she can play anywhere on the infield.

Even Maribeth Gorsuch has the ability to come in and play early. She is considered one of the best pitchers in the country. She did suffer an injury this season but she should be completely healthy come fall. She can also hit for power.

We will likely have to take our lumps next season early, breaking in a lot of new starters with a lot of inexperience. While we will be much younger, I truly believe new blood can be very good for this program. We have a lot of players that are hungry to prove themselves. We will have to rely on a veteran pitching staff and senior leadership of Bailey Landry, Quinn, and Jaquish. It will be hard to predict the future lineup since Beth will be throwing a lot of different cards out every weekend to figure out what works and what doesnt.


Prediction:

OF- Dawson, Griggs, Landry (Dawson could start in CF)
Also don't be surprised if newcome Claire Weinberger gets some looks. Very talented hitter with lots of speed.

3B- Amanda Doyle
SS- Serrett

As for 2B, Quinn will get the first look I think. She is a veteran that provides a lot of leadership and experience. While that is important, if she does not improve a lot defensively, I don't think Beth will hesitate this time to make a change. She understands how important it is for us to be solid on defense.

2B- Quinn (Sanchez, Cunningham)

1B: Springfield

Catcher: Jaquish and Cunningham
Both will alternate, Beth has always had 2 catchers play every weekend.

Pitching: Beth will pitch based off matchups but you can't go wrong with any of these three

Hoover, Walljasper, and Smith all return

I think we will be better defensively next season, I know Torina will put a lot of work on that this fall. A lot of these freshman have the ability to come in and make an immediate impact, especially at the plate.

Can't wait to see these players in the fall!