In many cases, freshmen brought in to a team aren’t expected to contribute right away. They are given the chance to grow for the future before
being thrust into action.
This wasn’t the case on the LSU softball team last season. 
As a freshman, pitcher Baylee Corbello, outfielder Bailey Landry and infielder Sahvanna Jaquish needed to stand out in 2014. They did, and now, they are aiming to sustain that success during their sophomore campaigns.
LSU coach Beth Torina said the achievements from last season’s freshmen have provided reasons to be optimistic about the future.
“Some big things out of that freshman class really made us excited about what was to come,” Torina said.
Corbello quickly became a name the team could count on in the circle. She compiled a 19-9 record, 188 strikeouts and a 3.16 ERA. Corbello started in, appeared in and went the distance in more games than any other LSU pitcher last season.
Landry said she knew she faced an uphill battle to earn a starting position and gain significant playing time.
“I came in and, I definitely wanted to earn a starting spot,” Landry said. “I definitely knew that I had my work cut out for me, and I feel like my results were really well.”
The result of the work was 43 hits and a .368 batting average, best on the team per 100 at bats.
During her freshman season, Jaquish hit 17 home runs to break the team’s single-season record. She also finished with the highest slugging percentage, most total bases and most RBIs on the team.
The trio’s achievements didn’t go unnoticed. All three players were named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team, and Jaquish went on to be named first team All-SEC  and second team All-American.
With all three players making waves the opposition can’t ignore, they’re tasked with the challenge to perform again this season. 
Torina said her sophomores face pressure they didn’t see last season because people will recognize the once unfamiliar names on the lineup. Now, the opposition is familiar with them, Torina said the sophomores must work on their weaknesses and develop them into strengths.
Corbello is aiming to do this by working not only on her pitching but also her mental game.
“I’ve been working on getting stronger and more spins and a different strikeout pitch other than a changeup,” Corbello said. “But I feel like my mental game, the entire approach to the game, has changed and [I stopped] giving the batters so much credit.”
Jaquish said she is focusing on maintaining the high level of play she displayed throughout last season.
“Now that they know my strengths and my weaknesses, I feel like I just have to perform to my best ability and just play the game that I’ve always played,” Jaquish said.
The team will be tested, playing 24 games against teams ranked in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association preseason top 25 poll, but Torina is confident that her sophomores are ready to go, and they’ll be
successful again this spring.
“I think they’re prepared and they’re ready … They’re so talented, they’re going to succeed,” Torina said.
You can reach Jack Woods on Twitter @Jack_TDR.