LSU freshman shortstop Bianka Bell is the definition of a lineup’s anchor.

Leading the No. 12 LSU softball team in home runs, RBIs, total bases and slugging percentage, the shortstop is a power machine in a lineup that has been devoid of power in recent seasons.

Compare Bell’s numbers to other top performers in the Tigers’ lineup in recent seasons and her statistics still stand alone.

Bell has compiled a higher batting average, home run total and slugging percentage than former lineup leaders Ashley Langoni last season, Anissa Young in 2011 and Rachel Mitchell in 2010.

Mitchell may have Bell beat with two more RBIs and Young may have a slight edge in on-base percentage, but Bell still has seven more regular season games to change that.

Not to mention Langoni, Young and Mitchell each achieved their numbers in their senior seasons, while Bell is only a freshman.

“I put pressure on myself when we first started the season, but now I’m coming into my own a bit more,” Bell said. “I’m letting the other girls work and then going in behind them and doing the same things they did.”

LSU coach Beth Torina has said throughout the season the Tigers’ lineup goes as Bell goes, and statistics say she’s right. 

The Tigers have only lost two games in which Bell has hit a home run, and in a 6-1 loss to Missouri this week, Bell ended a program-record 12-game streak with at least one RBI. During that stretch, LSU went 9-3 and never scored fewer than two runs in a game.

Put simply, if she’s hitting, LSU is usually winning.