San Diego Padres pitcher Greg Maddux once said in a popular 1990s commercial that “chicks dig the long ball.” Through six games this season LSU senior catcher Kristen Hobbs has proved Maddux’s theory to be correct, hitting four home runs while hitting with a .533 average. “It’s awesome that we’re playing finally after practicing for so long,” Hobbs said. “I think all of us were excited to get out there and get on the field in our actual uniforms, playing another team instead of each other.” Hobbs will get another opportunity to build on her impressive start to the season this afternoon when No. 9 LSU (6-0) faces the University of Louisiana at Monroe (2-3) at 4 p.m. in Tiger Park. The Tigers come into the game after winning six games in a three-day span at the Easton Tiger Classic championship this past weekend. LSU defeated the University of Memphis, Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Missouri, and Centenary College of Louisiana en route to winning the championship. “We’re off to a fast start,” she said. “Everyone was just so ready to kickoff the season and to get it rolling.” Hobbs, senior pitcher Emily Turner, freshman outfielder Jazz Jackson, and junior infielder Vanessa Soto each received All-Tournament honors for the Tigers. Jackson started her LSU career well, reaching base in 10 of her 17 plate appearances. She also stole three bases for the Tigers. Jackson said she hopes LSU coach Yvette Girouard will continue to give her the green light to steal bases. “I hope to bring speed back to the top of the lineup,” she said. “I definitely want to attack steals. I want to steal a lot. Hopefully [Girouard] will keep giving me the opportunity.” Hobbs said Jackson’s speed brings an extra dimension to the LSU offense. “She is an instant threat to other teams,” Hobbs said. “They know she has speed, but then they have to make a play. I think she has worked hard the last couple of weeks. She has worked hard and stayed extra, and her speed is deadly.” UL-Monroe comes into the game after participating in the Lion Classic in Hammond. The Warhawks played two extra-inning games, defeating Southern University 4-3 and losing to the University of Tennessee Martin 5-4. The Warhawks also lost to Troy University and the Southeastern Louisiana University. UL-Monroe senior second baseman Heather Hanson leads the Warhawks with a .474 batting average in 19 plate appearances. The problem for the Warhawks has been pitching. Junior Lindsay Rittenhouse, sophomore Taylor Call and junior Shanna Swillie have combined to give up 24 runs in five games this season for a 2.60 ERA. Despite having a struggling pitching staff, Hobbs said the Tigers want to play their style of softball to attack the Warhawks. “We can’t take any opponent lightly,” she said. “We don’t care who gets off the bus. We just play our game all of the time, and hopefully that doesn’t change anything.”
—–Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]