Two Tigers will continue their softball careers this summer after being drafted in the 2017 National Pro Fastpitch Draft.
Senior infielder Sahvanna Jaquish and senior outfielder Bailey Landry were both selected in the first round of the 2017 NPF draft.
“It’s exciting, especially with these two, because they’re so deserving,” LSU coach Beth Torina said. “They’ve [worked] really hard for this and it’s really exciting. I’m a big supporter of this league and I really believe in it, so it’s always fun to have our players be a big part of it.”
Jaquish was selected third overall by the reigning NPF champions, the Chicago Bandits, while Landry is joining former LSU great Brittany Mack with the Texas Charge as the fifth overall pick.
Jaquish and Landry were the first position players selected, as three pitchers were drafted alongside them in the first round.
Receiving both All-American and All-SEC honors during her time at LSU, Jaquish has started for over 240 games with a .330 batting average.
Her 251 RBIs broke a program record.
Despite her career at LSU being filled with accolades, Jaquish was surprised and grateful to be picked so early in the draft.
“It definitely feels special,” Jaquish said. “I would have been happy [with] whatever card I got dealt, but I’m extremely blessed that I got third overall. That really did surprise me. Hopefully I can make Chicago proud.”
Another All-American, Landry has also made her mark on LSU with 229 starts, 274 hits and a .390 batting average. She currently has the highest batting average on the team and has second highest in the NCAA with .465.
“It’s definitely so exciting to have that honor,” Landry said. “Just to be drafted in general is a great honor, but definitely to go right behind my teammate as the two first position players, especially as the first outfielder, is a big honor.”
Jaquish, Landry and countless former Tigers will have a chance to play in the NPF Championship series in Tiger Park this August.
“We’re really excited to host the championship here,” Torina said. “We’d love to bring all these Tigers back to Tiger Park. I think it’ll be fun for our fans and for these girls to play one more time in Tiger Park.”
Having both players drafted in the first round speaks wonders about the softball program and atmosphere at LSU, Landry said.
LSU was the only school to have multiple players drafted in the first round.
“Those two are really special players — they’re really special people,” Torina said. “Like I said, they’re very deserving of this. I think they’ve worked really hard for this, and it’s a great opportunity for them to continue doing what they love to do.”
Jaquish, Landry picked in first round of NPF draft
April 24, 2017
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