With one swing of the bat Wednesday night, senior center fielder Leslie Klein moved her name to the top of the LSU record books in two offensive categories. Klein’s record-breaking night came in a winning effort as the No. 6 LSU softball team (40-6, 14-3) defeated Southeastern Louisiana University (23-23, 7-13) in Tiger Park, 8-0. The Sunrise, Fla., native’s two-run triple in the second inning broke LSU’s career record for runs batted in and total bases, bringing her career numbers to 176 RBI and 432 total bases. Former Tiger shortstop Tara Asbill, who played from 1997-2000, previously held both records. Following the game Klein said breaking records has a reserved space in the back of her mind. “I’m not going out to go and break all these records,” Klein said. “It’s coming to me. … Right now I’m just focused on winning. Team comes first and then my individual accolades will come along with that.” Junior pitcher Tiffany Garcia (6-0) picked up the victory for LSU, allowing one hit and striking out two batters in her four innings of work. The Tigers’ win came in the midst of several lineup changes that seemed to have little affect on team chemistry. LSU coach Yvette Girouard gave freshman Jazz Jackson the day off, and freshman Rachel Mitchell replaced Jackson in left field against the Lady Lions after starting the past eight games in right field. Senior Kristen Hobbs, who was 2-for-3 and hit her team-high seventh home run in the second inning, started at catcher for the first time since March 28. “We’re giving some people some opportunities to play,” Girouard said. “We don’t want them to think that they’re never coming back in because they are. That’s the greatest thing about this team is that we have so many options.” Junior second baseman Shannon Stein also had a big impact for the Tigers. Wednesday’s contest was Stein’s first multi-hit game in 10 appearances after missing 18 games because of a broken finger. She finished the game 3-for-3 with three RBI and was a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. “It finally felt like I got my swing back since my injury,” Stein said following the game. “I’m just glad I was able to come out and contribute for our team.” Hobbs and Stein played in a combined 55 out of a possible 138 games during the 2006 season, with Hobbs missing all but seven because of offseason Tommy John surgery. Klein said she is excited about both players performing well this season. “I’m so happy for the both of them [Stein and Hobbs],” Klein said. “Shannon’s always been a consistent hitter, and Hobbs has always had that power. [She’s] now taking every opportunity and doing something with it.” LSU scored six of its eight runs in the second inning. The final two runs came on Stein’s two-run double in the fifth inning, which ended the game because of the NCAA’s run rule.
—–Contact Tyler Batiste at [email protected]
Klein breaks career records in 8-0 win
April 11, 2007