LSU Tigers
Overall Rank: #7
Conference Rank: #3 SEC
LSU has made a habit of making it as far as the World Series semifinals having done it in 2012, 2015 and 2016 before being knocked out each year. The team has lost several of their leaders from the 2016 team, including all-everything third baseman Bianka Bell, who had power numbers of 14 home runs and 62 RBI's. Also gone for this season are catcher Kellsi Kloss and first baseman Sandra Simmons, who also had strong hitting numbers. All is not bad though as the team does have several returning power hitters like catcher Sahvanna Jaquish (13 HR, 76 RBI) and a top notch returning pitching staff of Carley Hoover, Allie Walljasper and Sydney Smith.
2016: 52-18, 13-11
2016 Postseason: WCWS
Coach: Beth Torina
Key Departed Players:
Bianka Bell, IF, .381 BA, 14 HR, 62 RBI
Sandra Simmons, IF, .379 BA, 6 HR, 33 RBI
Kellsi Kloss, C, .279 BA, 10 HR, 55 RBI
Jenna Kreamer, IF, .391 BA, 1 HR, 8 RBI
Key Returning Players:
Carley Hoover, P, 2.27 ERA, 194.1 IP, 225 SO
Allie Walljasper, P, 1.78 ERA, 138.0 IP, 93 SO
Sydney Smith, P/1B, 1.16 ERA, 96.1 IP, 76 SO
Sahvanna Jaquish, C/IF, .343 BA, 13 HR, 76 RBI
Bailey Landry, OF, .324 BA, 3 HR, 23 RBI
Emily Griggs, OF, .294 BA, 0 HR, 16 RBI
Projection:
If LSU doesn't make it back to the WCWS again this year a lot of people will be surprised due to the leadership provided by team head coach Beth Torina. The biggest thing LSU needs to try avoiding this season is getting in to streaks like they encountered last season where they put together several losses in a row. While they might not have as veteran of a team this year, they still do have anchor type players like Sahvanna Jaquish, Bailey Landry and Emily Griggs. Also LSU’s returning pitching staff had really impressive numbers last year with a team ERA of 1.89 with 428 strikeouts. Look for LSU to make another good run in the tournament this season.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament
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