LSU
2012 Outlook
“We’re led by our pitching staff,” Torina said. “All three of them are very talented, they’re very special and they will keep us in every ball game on the schedule this season. Any one of them could be a No. 1 at many universities throughout the country. We’re really lucky to have a staff of that caliber all in one place.” Calling the shots for LSU behind the plate will be Morgan Russell and Lauren Houston. The veteran duo has combined to start in 185 games over the last three seasons for the Tigers.
THE INFIELD LSU’s infield was key as the Tigers compiled a sparkling .973 fielding percentage in 2011, a second straight Top 20 national finish. Tammy Wray, an All-Louisiana Second Team selection, returns to the hot corner. She tallied 126 assists, second-most in the SEC. Offensively, Wray belted eight home runs and 33 RBIs to rank second and third on the squad. Opposite Wray on the diamond will be Ashleigh Kuhn at first base. The Northwestern State transfer sat out last season due to NCAA rules. She tallied a .289 average with 28 RBIs during the 2009 season with the Demons. Heidi Pizer and Dylan Supak also are a candidates to see time at first base. Pizer chipped in nine RBIs in limited action, while Supak collected TSWA All-State and AllDistrict accolades all four years at LaGrange High School in Texas. Allison Falcon, Juliana Santos and Cassie Trosclair will all see time in the middle of the infield. Defensively when not on the field, the trio could see time in the lineup at designated player. Falcon is back to full strength after an injury cut her 2011 season to only five appearances. LSU was 30-3 when she was the starting shortstop in 2010. Santos was a strong force at the top of the lineup as LSU won 33 of 43 games last season when Santos batted in the No. 2 hole. She cranked a team-leading nine doubles en route to 26 RBIs. Trosclair made 50 appearances, including 36 starts after transferring from Auburn. Her .270 batting average was upped to a .328 clip when she was in the No. 7 or No. 8 spot in the lineup. Rikki Alcaraz and Kailey McCasland will provide depth on the infield and also are in the running to see time in the lineup at designated player.
Alcaraz, from Marist High School in Orland Park, Ill., picked up All-Conference and AllArea honors during the 2008, 2009 and 2010 season. McCasland hails from California’s San Clemente High School where she secured multiple All-South Coast League FirstTeam picks. “We have a lot of depth and some great competition in a variety of positions on the field,” Torina said. “Another thing that’s contributed is that I’m new, and I haven’t seen these guys play in a ton of games yet. As a coach, I don’t want to make judgment on people solely based on practice, because I don’t think that’s fair. “There are a bunch of girls that want to be great, and they’re working hard every day,” Torina continued. “They all deserve to play, without question. They’ve all worked and deserve a chance and deserve a spot.”
THE OUTFIELD LSU’s outfield will have a veteran presence with Ashley Applegate and Ashley Langoni on the corners. Simone Heyward also is back to patrol centerfield. Applegate will start in right field after missing most of last season due to injury. Being used primarily at designated player, she spent the majority of the 2010 season with over a .300 batting average and produced 12 multi-hit efforts. She also scored 35 runs and drew 32 walks in 2010. Heyward, an 2011 All-SEC All-Freshman honoree, turned in a team-leading .294 batting average, scored a team-high 39 runs, drew a team-best 28 walks and added a team-leading 23 stolen bases from the leadoff spot. The 23 stolen bases ranked sixth in the SEC. Langoni compiled a .271 batting average to go along with five dingers and 38 RBIs. Her 48 hits and 12 multi-hit performances paced the Tigers, while her 38 RBIs were second. She also produced several ESPN type web gem plays from her left field post. A.J. Andrews, Jacee Blades, Alex Boulet, Katie Guillory and Tammy Vermeulen will provide depth in the outfield. All five players possess blazing speed and are candidates to serve as pinch runners in critical situations. Andrews racked up 57 stolen bases on a crisp .557 hitting ratio while at Countryside High School in Florida and was selected to play in the 2011 Under Armour All-America Game.
ashley applegate
22
2012 LSU Softball
simone heyward
INTRO
ONLY ONE LSU
TIGERS
juliana santos
COACHES
REVIEW
HISTORY records
tammy wray
LSU
media