Every season, every team goes through a cycle where they lose key contributors and welcome new faces.
LSU softball is no different.
While the Tigers do go into this season losing five seniors, including LSU’s career leader in home runs Bianka Bell, there is no shortage of experience on this team.
Five starters return, and among the returning players are senior infielder Sahvanna Jaquish, junior pitcher Carley Hoover, senior outfielder Bailey Landry and junior pitcher Allie Walljasper.
“We know what we need to be from this year to last year,” Walljasper said. “So we’ve tried to bring that culture into everyday practice, and just getting the freshmen on board and knowing what it needs to take to compete in the College World Series.”
Jaquish has been in almost every position in the infield throughout her time on the team, but this season she has a solid spot behind the plate. Coach Beth Torina said she has no words for Jaquish and her confidence with any position thrown at her.
That being said, no position is guaranteed.
The Tigers welcome seven “very dynamic freshmen” to the roster this season, adding depth and competition to the team.
“Our freshmen are really talented,” Torina said. “I expect to see them all in some capacity here this first weekend. They’re going to have a lot to learn. And we’ll count on Sahvanna, Bailey, Emily, those guys [and] Constance, to keep teaching them, molding them, growing them, so they’re ready to go when it really counts.”
Lineup changes are expected to happen early on.
Torina said she sees a lot of competition in the beginning of the season, with freshmen motivating the upperclassmen to get better and not lose their spots.
“I think they’ve seen some of that coming and have found ways to challenge themselves and continue competing,” Torina said.
Veteran players like Jaquish and sophomore shortstop Amber Serrett are mainstays in the lineup.
Landry and junior outfielder Emily Griggs will also hold spots in the outfield, but the third outfield spot is still up for grabs.
Joining Landry and Griggs in the outfield are freshmen Claire Weinberger and Aliyah Andrews.
Andrews is the younger sister of former LSU All-American A.J. Andrews.
Freshman Nicky Dawson, who Torina said is one of the fastest players on the field, will play some second base, while freshmen Sydney Springfield and Amanda Doyle compete for a starting position at first base.
“There are a ton of freshmen making this big push over the field,” Torina said. “You couple that with our solid returners—it’s a great problem for a coach to have.”

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Emily Brauner

LSU head coach Beth Torina meets with infield players during the Tigers' 10-2 victory against LIU Brooklyn on Friday, May 20, 2016 in Tiger Park.