ALI KILPONEN
PITCHER | JR.
Considered one of the leaders of the infield along with shortstop Taylor Pleasants. Didn’t enjoy the same success at the plate average-wise, sliding from .429 during the shortened 2020 season to .253 last year, but remained a consistent power threat with 10 home runs – one of three players with double-digit homers – and was third with 32 RBIs and had a .480 slugging percentage. Had eight multi-hit games and eight RBI multi-RBI games that included a 5-RBI performance against UL-Lafayette during the NCAA regionals. Batted .315 during the postseason with a pair of homers.
TAYLOR PLEASANTS
SHORTSTOP | SO.
Enjoyed her crowning achievement before returning for the season with a spot on the U.S. national team. In her first full season in college was named second team NFCA All-American, first team All-SEC and selected the league’s Newcomer of the Year. One of three players to play in all 57 of LSU’s games in 2021, batting .316 with 13 homers, 40 RBIs. Had a .605 slugging percentage and 107 total bases. Had 16 multi-hit games and 13 multi-RBI games with a career-high of six against Liberty. Showed tremendous range at shortstop and made only 14 errors in 222 total chances.
RAELEEN GUTIERREZ
UTILITY | SO.
Saw her role increased from the shortened 2020 season where she played in 22 games to 52 games with 37 starts at first base. Earned her first SEC Newcomer of the Week (April 20) after batting .500 with a homer and two RBIs in a series win over North Carolina State. Batted .250 with seven doubles, three homers, 18 RBIs and 15 walks. Had big offensive moments with an inside-the-park against Southeastern on March 16 and was 5 of 7 in the first two games of the NCAA regional with four RBIs, including a homer against UL-Lafayette on May 22.
GEORGIA CLARK
FIRST BASE | JR.
Wasn’t able to replicate the same offensive numbers from her sophomore year (.340, 17 homers, 60 RBIs), but was still a force to be reckoned with at the plate with eight homers and six doubles and remained a constant in the circle with Ali Kilponen. Earned first team NFCA All-South Region honors with a 11-7 record, 2.04 ERA, 10 complete games and 84 strikeouts in 126.2 innings. Had a complete-game 4-1 win over Texas with four strikeouts on March 6 and was a hard-luck 1-0 loser to Florida State in Game 1 of the NCAA super regional, allowing six hits with three strikeouts.
SHELBI SUNSERI
DESIGNATED PLAYER/PITCHER | SR.
Wasn’t able to replicate the same offensive numbers from her sophomore year (.340, 17 homers, 60 RBIs), but was still a force to be reckoned with at the plate with eight homers and six doubles and remained a constant in the circle with Ali Kilponen. Earned first team NFCA All-South Region honors with a 11-7 record, 2.04 ERA, 10 complete games and 84 strikeouts in 126.2 innings. Had a complete-game 4-1 win over Texas with four strikeouts on March 6 and was a hard-luck 1-0 loser to Florida State in Game 1 of the NCAA super regional, allowing six hits with three strikeouts.
RAELIN CHAFFIN
PITCHER | FR.
Hard-throwing right-hander brings tremendous credentials to the circle in her first season. Was a two-time Class 5A All-State selection and voted the Class 5A Player of Year in 2021 with a 17-1 record and 206 strikeouts. Was rated the nation’s No. 14 overall prospect and No. 9 pitcher. Helped Team USA’s U18 team to a gold medal in the World Baseball/Softball Confederation last December in Lima, Peru. Won three games during the competition over Mexico, Chinese Taipei and host Peru, allowing nine hits and striking out 15. Also played on the USA Softball’s U18 Junior Women’s National team last summer.
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