“We fight! We fight! We fight! We fight!,” junior outfielder A.J. Andrews quoted Red Wings, explaining her interpretation of the LSU softball team’s 2014 mantra of “Locked In” during Media Day before the 2014 season.
This mantra comes from the team’s military-inspired focus on achieving the goal of reaching the Women’s College World Series and avenging its failure to reach the WCWS in 2013.
But as the season progressed, “Locked In” came to represent the mindset of the team as the Tigers plowed through the ups and downs of the second-toughest schedule in the nation.
Despite returning a lineup that included the 2013 Co-Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year Bianka Bell at shortstop and 2013 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American Andrews, the Tigers still entered the season with a huge question mark in the pitching circle. Could the rotation replace 2013 NFCA All-American pitcher Rachele Fico?
The rotation, led by freshman Baylee Corbello, who is 12th in the SEC with a 2.70 ERA, and senior Ashley Czechner, has answered the call and carried the Tigers to a No. 25 ranking.
In her first two collegiate starts, Corbello recorded 23 strikeouts, earning her SEC Freshman of the Week honors the first week of the season.
However, in LSU’s first three conference series, the rotation struggled, allowing 42 earned runs while surrendering 47 walks.
After being swept in a conference series by then-No. 7 Alabama, Czechner took over the Friday night starting position from Corbello.
The Tigers have won all four conference series since, and Czechner, 3-1 on Friday night starts, is allowing only 12 walks while recording 25 strikeouts.
Limiting walks and other free passes will be key for the Tigers looking forward to postseason play. The rotation has allowed 203 combined walks while recording only 194 strikeouts.
Free passes have been a major problem for the Tigers in key series against top teams this year. For LSU to succeed in postseason play, limiting the opportunities of opponents should give the Tigers a better chance to win close matchups.
Compared to 2013, the difference in the Tigers’ power offense is staggering. In 58 games in 2013, the entire team hit 40 home runs. This season, LSU already has 42 home runs from only six players in the lineup.
For the second straight season, a freshman leads the team in home runs and RBIs. Last season, Bell led the Tigers with 12 home runs and 50 RBIs. In 2014, catcher Sahvanna Jaquish took on this role, producing a team-leading 12 home runs and 44 RBIs.
In conference play, Jaquish has consistently produced against some of the best pitchers in the nation, batting .410 with six home runs and 16 RBIs.
“I try to focus on the game and the team and the score of the game instead of just myself,” Jaquish said. “It’s fun trotting around the bases.”
LSU combined its increase in power in the lineup with its returning arsenal of speed. In 2013, the Tigers finished the season sixth in the SEC with 88 stolen bases. This season, LSU stands second in the conference with 94 stolen bases on the year. Andrews is second individually in the SEC with 34 steal on 35 attempts.
In the past four conference series, the Tigers have a 9-3 record in 12 games. During this stretch, LSU has scored at least five runs in eight of these matchups.
The lineup seems to have clicked just in time for postseason play.
“I think the team as a whole is swinging with a lot of confidence and having quality at-bats,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “They are picking pitches that they want to hit, and I think they are being really patient and smart at the plate.”