Two names loom large in the LSU softball team’s lineup — junior shortstop Bianka Bell and sophomore infielder Sahvanna Jaquish.
In the past two seasons, Bell and Jaquish have rewritten the Tigers’ record books, from Bell surpassing the career home run mark in 2015 to Jaquish setting and tying the single-season homer record in back-to-back seasons.
The duo’s unquestioned ability to change a game with one swing strikes fear into opposing pitchers and gives the Tigers hope no matter the score.
But this season, an unexpected hero has emerged at the plate to join the pair — junior catcher Kellsi Kloss.
“We all know Kellsi is a great player and a great hitter,” Bell said. “She gets overshadowed by people like me and Sahvanna [Jaquish]. People don’t really notice her, so they pitch to her, and she does what she’s supposed to do and makes things happen for us.”
It was Kloss, not Bell or Jaquish, who ripped a two-out grand slam in the seventh to knot the Tigers’ historic series against top-ranked Florida. The win gave LSU the opportunity it needed to topple the Gators in Game 3.
Before shining with her bat this season, Kloss established herself as rock for the Tigers’ pitching staff behind the plate.
Kloss has helped LSU hurlers make history in her first two years — catching former Tigers’ pitcher Rachele Fico’s perfect game in 2013 to helping then-freshman pitcher Baylee Corbello set the complete game record for a freshman pitcher at LSU.
In her 32 starts at catcher this season, Kloss has faced a new challenge — handling a staff without one upperclassmen.
Although the 2015 staff is the youngest she managed at LSU, Kloss said she forgets that freshman pitchers Allie Walljasper and Carley Hoover are freshman because of their competitive nature and the presence they bring to the circle.
Kloss’ leadership in the bullpen and constant communication behind the plate helps relax her pitchers in the circle.
“She’s a very vocal leader,” Corbello said. “She’ll tell us if our spin is wrong or something like that. She’ll complement you. She’ll be like, ‘Oh, that’s a nice pitch.’ She’ll give you feedback and that’s what I really like. Everyone on the field respects her.”
Although she made her name as a catcher, Kloss showed power in her first two seasons by tallying 14 home runs and 50 RBIs and finishing third on the Tigers’ roster in home runs both seasons.
But in 2015, Kloss’ ability to make clutch hits during Southeastern Conference play has pushed her into the spotlight alongside Bell and Jaquish, a completely new experience for the Cypress, California, native.
“I’m just hitting a really good groove right now,” Kloss said. “The last two seasons it has been Bianka and Sahvanna [making those clutch hits], and I’m so happy for them. It’s never bugged me because I’ve never really cared for being in the spotlight like that. But to even be associated with something that they normally do is pretty cool to me.”
After her grand slam against Florida propelled the Tigers to a series win and the first No. 1 ranking in program history, Kloss exploded for three home runs in LSU’s series at then-No. 11 Tennessee on April 10-12.
In Game 1, Kloss went back-to-back with Jaquish in the third inning and spurred the Tigers to a 5-1 win. After LSU clinched its first series at Tennessee in program history with 7-4 victory in Game 2, Kloss was the Tigers’ only silver lining at the plate in Game 3, hitting two homers in LSU’s 8-5 loss.
“Kellsi Kloss had an unbelievable weekend [against Tennessee],” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “She was just phenomenal. Everybody pulls for that kid to do well because she’s such a great human being.”
Through 47 games this season, Kloss has already set career-highs with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs. For the first time since 2008, LSU has three Tigers with double-digit home runs with Kloss joining Jaquish (17) and Bell (13).
Although her success may surprise many outside the clubhouse, Kloss’ shining moments at the plate reflect the countless extra hours she has spent in the batting cages and the bullpen.
“I’m really excited for her,” Corbello said. “She’s one of those that are doing extra. She’s doing extra right now. She’s just one of those people that are here every chance she can get. She’s always the one that’s doing things right off the field, as well.”
You can reach Morgan Prewitt on Twitter @kmprewitt_TDR.