Freshman softball pitcher Emily Turner rode into Baton Rouge on a wave of optimism and promise for the 2004 season.
The 5-foot-11 pitcher from Chula Vista, Calif. earned letters in four different sports in high school — softball, basketball, field hockey and volleyball — and has been dubbed by teammates and coaches as the best athlete on the team.
“I definitely was able to tone my athletic skills playing all of those sports,” Turner said. “It improved me as a player in all aspects of my game — fielding wise, hitting wise and better hand eye coordination.”
Heading into the first weekend of the season Turner said she was cautiously optimistic about her ability to play at the collegiate level. Coming out of the weekend Turner saw where she was.
“I cannot blow it right by batters anymore,” Turner said. “First of all, I am three feet back, and second there are some great athletes out here and they are going to rope anything that comes straight down the middle like I pitched [in the Tiger Classic].”
Turner went 2-1 in the first weekend of the season, posting victories against Southeastern Louisiana and Centenary before losing in elimination play to Illinois.
For the weekend Turner pitched 16 innings, allowing seven runs on 17 hits with 13 strikeouts.
In the Illinois game, she gave up four runs on seven hits while striking out two in a 7-2 loss.
LSU coach Yvette Girouard said she was a little disappointed in Turner’s performance against Illinois. Girouard said Turner needs to become more focused and build upon the potential she has.
“Potential is a big word,” Girouard said. “And she is the definition of it. Now we need to take the next step. She is rough around the edges, but if you look closely there is so much talent there and it will be just when we can harness that talent.”
Turner will be called upon frequently to perform inside the circle for LSU as the No. 2 starter in the Tigers’ rotation.
“I think [Turner] has the potential to be as good as she really wants to be,” Girouard said.
As a high school senior Turner had plenty of options in California to play collegiate softball, but choose LSU because of Girouard and the coaching staff.
“I heard a lot of great stuff about [the coaching staff] and I was really impressed when I came on my recruiting trip with all of the facilities,” Turner said. “I knew that I wanted to get out of California because I am the adventurous type. Louisiana just sounded interesting to me.”
Turner came to LSU as a pitcher primarily, but could see some time hitting and playing first base, Girouard said.
During the weekend Turner saw most of her action in the circle, pitching in three games, but also saw some time as a hitter. Against Oklahoma Turner went 1-for-5 with a run scored and said the weekend took a lot out of her.
“[This season] is going to be hard,” Turner said. “I can see I am already dead after this first weekend of playing.”