Last year, LSU second baseman Constance Quinn called her and her classmates “freshmen straight flexin’.”
This season, the LSU softball team’s sophomore class is contributing in a major way, helping the team to its best start in school history and its first No. 1 ranking in school history.
“It’s really exciting to have such a strong class,” said sophomore pitcher Baylee Corbello. “We’ve all had major roles on this team so far, so it’s exciting to get to see everyone get to have the success they’ve had.” 
As a freshman, Corbello became the Tigers’ go-to in the circle. She appeared in more games than the 2014 pitching staff’s most experienced member, senior Ashley Czechner, and more games than classmate Kelsee Selman.
Corbello compiled a 19-9 record and a 3.16 ERA in 199 1/3 innings pitched. She struck out 188 batters and held opponents to a batting average of .214.
Selman appeared in 17 games in the circle for LSU in her first season. She posted a 6-3 record and an ERA of 2.86. Selman held opponents to a .167 batting average in 49 innings of work.
LSU wasn’t just getting contributions from freshmen in the circle during 2014 — several players left their marks in the batter’s box and in the field.
Catcher/infielder Sahvanna Jaquish’s freshman campaign was one for the history books. 
The Highland, California, native finished with a .341 batting average and 17 home runs, a single-season record. She drove in 55 runs and finished with a slugging percentage of .699. Her exploits at the plate earned her First Team All-Southeastern Conference recognition.
In her first season, outfielder Bailey Landry hit .368 and started 45 games. Quinn started 19 games and compiled a .317 batting average. Outfielder Layna Savoie didn’t start any games in her first season, but she
appeared in 12, pinch hitting and pinch running when called upon.
The members of LSU’s sophomore class have built upon the success from their first season and are posting lofty numbers in year two. LSU coach Beth Torina said her sophomores are already veterans and leaders, despite having just one season under their belts.
“It’s really exciting to have the young group we have of talent,” Torina said. “It’s crazy to say that they are leaders and that they’re veterans, but there are some spots where they are leaders and veterans.”
In the circle, Corbello has posted a 9-1 record, has cut her ERA to 1.95 and has held opponents to a .181 batting average. Walks plagued Corbello in 2014, but that has not been the case this spring. 
She has cut down her free passes from 153 last season to 21 this spring. Her strikeout-to-walk ratio has improved from 1.23 to 3.14.
Selman is the team’s lone unbeaten pitcher. She’s 8-0 with a 1.79 ERA and is holding opponents to a batting average of .192. Selman’s nine starts this season eclipses her total from last season (eight).
Jaquish has raised her batting average to .356. She has hit 16 home runs, leaving her one shy of her own single-season record and also has driven in 63 runs, which is tied for the single-season record. 
With only seven regular-season games remaining this season, she is poised to set new marks in both categories.
Landry is batting .465 and has an on-base percentage of .521, but she doesn’t just hit for average. She has driven in 36 runs from her No. 2 spot in the lineup.
“Bailey Landry plays every game like a veteran out there,” Torina said. “She continues to not just have a great batting average and get hits, but she’s clutch. She scores for us. When we need things to happen, she makes things happen.”
Quinn is batting .270 with three home runs, equaling her total for last season. She has become a regular starter at second base, and her 23 RBIs are seven more than her 2014 total. 
Savoie still hasn’t started a game, but she has appeared in seven to pinch run or pinch hit. She has scored three runs this season in a pinch-runner role.
LSU’s sophomores have already accomplished much in less than two seasons, but opponents will be forced to deal with them for years to come.
“A lot of teams we face have a lot of older girls, seniors, a full class of them,” Quinn said. “But just with us, it truly is a lot of young players on the team, and knowing that we have many years with each other is an amazing
feeling.”
You can reach Jack Woods on Twitter @Jack_TDR.