2013 Softball World Series Baton Rouge Regional Breakdown
#9 LSU, Louisiana, Central Connecticut State, Northwestern State
Coming in at nationally ranked #9, LSU will be at home for the regionals where they defended the turf 24 of 28 times this year. Just 16-10 away from Baton Rouge, the Tigers enter the regionals having lost 5 of their last 9 games, including a 3 game losing streak and a first round exit from the SEC tournament. They do have three .300 hitters in A.J. Andrews (.359), Bianka Bell (.356) and Jacee Blades (.354) but after that offensive production wanes. LSU is balanced, boasting 40 home runs to go with 85 stolen bases. Ace Rachele Fico (2.35 ERA) mirrors the pitching staff ERA of 2.39, and has the ability to pitch out of jams with 222 strike outs in 211 innings pitched. What the Tigers may lack in momentum, they may compensate for in familiarity with Louisiana Lafayette, likely their stiffest competition at Capital City. Coach Beth Torina spent four seasons in the Sun Belt Conference at FIU, facing Louisiana yearly while collecting two Conference Coach of the Year awards.
Louisiana (43-12, 19-4 Sun Belt) will attack the regional field with a very potent offensive line-up. Shortstop Nerissa Myers leads off and along with catcher Sarah Draheim, OF Brianna Cherry and 1B Matte Haack, the four have clouted 47 home runs and have scored 206 runs. More than capable of an upset, pitcher Jordan Wallace will pace the circle, with her 1.89 ERA, 28 wins and an impressive 331 K’s in 214 innings pitched. The Ragin Cajuns have only 60 miles to travel, and will have as much of a home-field feel as possible without actually playing at home. Central Connecticut, the Northeast Conference entry, will be far away from home in unfamiliar surroundings and bring a seven game win streak to Baton Rouge. At 35-13 (16-4), the Blue Devils bring a .321 team batting average and 51 total round-trippers. Sophomore Kat Malcolm is responsible for much of the offense with 10 homers and a .434 batting average. Laura Messina will likely throw every pitch, averaging just over one strikeout in each of her 221 innings. Messina has a 1.72 ERA, but yielded 21 home runs. Northwestern State, winners of the Southland, are led by Junior Brianna Rodriguez and sophomore catcher Cassandra Barefield, who together accounted for 91 runs batted in. Pitchers Kylie Ross (1.47 ERA) and Junior Kaylie Guidry (1.66) will handle the hurling.
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