The No. 5 LSU softball team has not found runs hard to come by during its non-conference slate.
The Tigers’ (22-0) offense has managed to put up 176 runs in 22 games. LSU’s high-powered offense, coupled with a pitching staff that has not given opponents much to capitalize on, has led to the Tigers outscoring opponents 176-27, a 149 run margin.
Junior catcher Kellsi Kloss said the Tigers’ lineup is diverse, and each player brings something different to the lineup.
“Every single person, every single piece of our lineup is doing something different,” Kloss said. “We all bring something different to the table.”
So far, LSU has managed to blend speed and power to form a devastating effect on opponents.
It starts at the top of the order with senior center fielder A.J. Andrews and sophomore right fielder Bailey Landry. LSU hitting coach Howard Dobson described them as “table-setters” because of their ability to consistently reach base.
Both Andrews and Landry have reached base more times than not this season, sporting on-base percentages of .658 and .542, respectively.
When they’ve reached base, both Andrews and Landry have been base-stealing threats. Andrews has stolen 12 bases on 12 attempts, and Landry is perfect as well with four steals infour attempts.
Although Dobson said both Andrews and Landry can swing through the ball with power, junior shortstop Bianka Bell and sophomore infielder Sahvanna Jaquish have driven in the most runs, thanks to the batters in front of them consistently reaching base.
“It’s really nice to get those kids on base and all of a sudden those RBI producing people are just licking their chops just to get a pitch they can hit into the outfield,” Dobson said.
Bell has packed power her whole career. She is one home run shy of surpassing former LSU outfielder Rachel Mitchell’s 33 blasts to become LSU’s career home run leader.
This season is no exception for Bell, who is hitting .485 with seven home runs and 29 RBIs. She leads the team in slugging percentage (.924), total bases (61) and doubles (8).
Jaquish is batting .365 with a slugging percentage of .905. She leads the team in home runs (9) and RBIs (39).
It isn’t just the top of LSU’s lineup that has been getting the job done in the batter’s box. Kloss said every person in the order is contributing in some manner.
“It’s pretty crazy just thinking we don’t have one person that’s doing it all,” Kloss said.
Kloss and junior first baseman Sandra Simmons sit in the middle of the Tigers’ lineup. Kloss is hitting .373 and has displayed some power, hitting three home runs and driving in 14 runs.
Simmons is batting .385 and has an on-base percentage of .500, proving to be a tough out. But she also displayed power in LSU’s 14-0 win against Stephen F. Austin on Sunday by hitting her first home run of the season.
At the bottom of the lineup, freshman pitcher Allie Walljasper is featured as the team’s designated player and has also batted for the Tigers when she pitches. Sophomore second baseman Constance Quinn and freshman left fielder Emily Griggs frequently bat eighth and ninth, respectively.
Walljasper is hitting .229, but she is a home run threat. She recorded one of LSU’s two grand slams in 2015. Quinn has raised her batting average to .275 after struggling at the plate for the first few games.
Griggs has become a familiar name in the nine-spot, but she is far from an easy out. Jaquish said having Griggs bat ninth is like having another leadoff hitter batting at the bottom of the order.
Griggs is batting .400, has an on-base percentage of .512 and has stolen 10 bases in 12 attempts.
LSU also has players who have stepped in to start games, pinch hit or pinch run who have made timely plays for the Tigers. Griggs said LSU’s depth is not something many other teams have.
“I don’t think a lot of teams can say that they have this much depth with their lineup,” Griggs said. “It’s very unique, and I can’t wait to see what everybody can do the rest of the season.”
You can reach Jack Woods on Twitter @ Jack_TDR.