Mitchell producing for LSU

• By WILLIAM WEATHERS
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: May 7, 2008 - Page: 1C - UPDATED: 12:30 a.m.

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Even now, after 22 career home runs, LSU sophomore center fielder Rachel Mitchell is still somewhat hesitant to embrace the label of someone who is a power hitter.

“I’ve never defined myself as a home run hitter,” Mitchell said. “I’ve always been the kind of player that hits it in the gaps, gets the doubles and drives in the runs. Just someone that produces for the team.”

That description has been an accurate portrayal once again for Mitchell, who after a storybook postseason a year ago, has regained the kind of form at the plate (.384 average, 10 homers, 48 RBIs) that’s transformed the middle of the Tigers batting order from ordinary to lethal just in time for another potential postseason run.

For third-seeded LSU (41-15), that begins Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against sixth-seeded Auburn (37-19) in first-round play in the Southeastern Conference tournament at Tiger Park.

“She’s explosive to the ball,” LSU coach Yvette Girouard said. “She swings from her toes up. She doesn’t miss that much and probably pops up a little more than people would like, but it’s a give and take with her kind of swing. With any swing, against any pitcher, she’s capable of hitting it out.”

It’s been quite a transformation for the 5-foot-3, left-handed hitting Mitchell since leaving LaPorte (Texas) High. She was regarded as a prospect with above-average speed, and it was commonplace to see her slap hit and bunt. She was also considered someone who could hit for average and spray the ball to all fields.

Not even the sight of watching her first home run leave the field a year ago was quite enough evidence to convince Mitchell that the element of power would no longer be a surprise.

“I remember my first one and I was like, ‘don’t expect another one out of me’,” Mitchell said. “I didn’t think I would do that again. I don’t know what happened. I guess working with (LSU hitting) coach (James DeFeo), tweaking some little things in my swing and lifting weights, has got my swing to where I can do that.”

Mitchell blew her cover as someone who only hit for a high average and was capable of stealing an occasional base during her first SEC tournament a year ago.

That juncture turned out to be the origin of a special ride for Mitchell who earned All-SEC tournament, Stanford region MVP and a place on the Arizona State super region all-tournament team with a prolific performance that included five home runs over a seven-game span, including two game-winning efforts.

Arguably the zenith of Mitchell’s postseason came during LSU’s championship-clinching victory over Stanford in which she homered twice, including a grand slam.

“Last year was amazing for me because I didn’t even think I was going to play during the season,” said Mitchell, who batted .320 and wound up with 12 homers — the school’s third-highest total in a season. “We already had three outfielders out there and I didn’t think I was going to be able to play.

“When I did play I was grateful I got the chance and I was able to step up and help the team when it really wasn’t expected of me. After last year I knew I had to keep getting better. I’m pretty excited with where I am right now. I just want to keep continuing helping the team out.”