The LSU softball team was bit by the injury bug early this season.
In their first month of play, the Tigers found themselves shorthanded as sophomore outfielder Simone Heyward missed time with a hand injury, sophomore infielder Allison Falcon sat out with a shoulder issue, senior outfielder Katie Guillory was sidelined for a knee injury and senior shortstop Juliana Santos missed games with a knee problem.
But when one door closes, another one opens. That was the case for sophomore utility player Jacee Blades and freshman outfielder A.J. Andrews.
Blades, who started 38 games in four different positions last season, began this season primarily as a pinch hitter or pinch runner.
Andrews often started on the bench early in the season, but she found her way onto the field in pinch hitting and running situations as well.
But as the Tigers’ injuries increased, so did Blades’ and Andrews’ numbers and playing time.
LSU coach Beth Torina said she was impressed when Blades pulled through for her in a crunch.
“I asked her to step up on a weekend when we had a bunch of injuries,” Torina said. “And she did exactly what I asked her to.”
Blades was the leadoff batter in the Georgia Tech game, a 2-1 win for LSU. She reached base all three times she stepped to the plate.
After the game, Torina said she thought Blades earned a permanent spot in the lineup, even once the injured players returned from their ailments.
Andrews said in the beginning of the season she was still getting used to being a college athlete.
“I’ve been getting acquainted with the college atmosphere,” she said. “I got into my own groove and I’m just more comfortable. The more you play, the more comfortable you get.”
Blades said she and Andrews have a dynamic that works well for the two leadoff hitters. Andrews usually occupies the leadoff spot and Blades bats second.
“I like being behind A.J.,” Blades said. “We communicate where they’re throwing the ball and we work well together.”
When the season began, senior right fielder Ashley Applegate was the go-to leadoff batter, but Torina said she worked to figure out a different batter to leadoff because Applegate was more fit for the sixth spot in the lineup.
“I wanted Applegate in the six-hole from game one – we just didn’t have anyone that was filling that leadoff role, so she filled in there,” Torina said. “A better spot in the lineup for her is the six spot. She has the opportunity to drive runs in there.”
Applegate seems to agree. She drove in two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to lead LSU to a 3-2 comeback win against Arkansas on April 1.
Torina said she enjoys the competition she’s seen in the lineup, but she hopes she doesn’t need to shift people’s positions too much more.
“There’s not going to be one thing that gets them out of the lineup,” she said. “There has to be a series of weekends where we’re really struggling because at this point, those two are really solid and they’ve earned those spots in the lineup.”
 
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Contact Albert Burford at [email protected]