Powerful bats have always been a mainstay in Tiger Park under LSU coach Beth Torina.
In fact, the Tigers have hit 180 home runs in the last three years, but after losing two of its best hitters in program history — Bianka Bell and Kellsi Kloss — LSU will be leaning on its pitching staff this season, headlined by junior pitcher Carley Hoover.
“Carley has put in a ton of time,” Torina said. “She deserves a great season, honestly, for how hard she’s worked. Then both Allie and Sydney are just calm, cool, collected every time they take the mound. They just go out and compete.”
Along with Hoover, junior Allie Walljasper and sophomore Sydney Smith, Torina adds freshman Maribeth Gorsuch to the staff this season.
Playing in the Southeastern Conference can be tough, with 10 SEC teams reaching the NCAA Tournament last season.
“Honestly every time we take the field, it’s taking the field against a Super Regional caliber opponent,” Torina said. “I think that’s part of why we’ve had some success in the Super Regionals — that and having a deep pitching staff, too.”
Smith led the team in ERA and had the lowest ERA for a freshman in the country with 1.16.
During her freshman campaign, Smith also totaled seven shutouts, including one perfect game.
“As a freshman, you come in thinking you’re going to get those games to try to prove yourself and go out there and just do the best you can,” Smith said. “Being able to go out there and just show that I worked hard in the fall and shutting down people was, especially as a freshman, confidence boosting.”
After a season in which Hoover had 22 wins — making her the first pitcher to have at least 20 wins since 2013 — Torina said Hoover is in the best shape she’s seen her in.
“She’s put in so much time,” Torina said. “She’s worked really hard. She’s had a great off-season. She’s done so much to make herself ready for this year. She’s poised to have her best year yet.”
LSU’s pitching staff had a 1.89 ERA overall last season, the sixth lowest in the country and with losing five graduating seniors, LSU is younger and has new faces competing for positions.
Torina said she expects LSU to be “hitting on all cylinders” heading into SEC play, but until then, the pitching staff will lead the way.
“Our pitching staff is so talented,” Torina said. “They should keep us in every game the entire way.”
All four pitchers are set up to give the team success, despite the load they will be carrying this season.
“They just go out and they do their job,” Torina said. “Throw a lot of ground balls, keep people off balance. You can’t ask for a whole lot more from those guys. They do such a great job. I feel very confident they will keep us in every ballgame all year long, 56 times.”

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Emily Brauner

LSU freshman pitcher Sydney Smith (12) pitches during the Tigers' 10-2 victory against LIU Brooklyn on Friday, May 20, 2016 in Tiger Park.