BATON ROUGE – Coming off of their fourth-straight NCAA Super Regional appearance, LSU head softball coach Beth Torina and the Tigers announced the signing of graduate transfer Amanda Sanchez Monday afternoon. Sanchez will be eligible to play the 2019 season.

“We are thrilled to add a player of her caliber to our team," said Torina. "She understands what it takes to compete at the highest level and has had tons of success throughout her career. I know all of the Tiger fans will be excited to see her compete in purple and gold.”

Sanchez joins the Tigers after three stellar seasons of play with the Missouri Tigers of the SEC. A 2018 SEC All-Defensive team selection, Sanchez served as one of Missouri’s most consistent and dangerous hitters over her time in Columbia. This season she reset single-season career-highs in average (.374), runs scored (31), doubles (10), on-base percentage (.500) and slugging percentage (.671).

The West Covina, California native finished fourth among the SEC in on-base percentage, tied for ninth in average (.374) and slugging percentage (.671), and tied for 10th in home runs (12). She capped off the 2018 season on a terror at the NCAA Norman Regional, hitting .417 (5-for-12) with three runs scored, two home runs and six RBI.

Sanchez made an instant impact in her first season in Columbia, hitting .347 as a freshman to go along with 14 home runs and 56 RBI, earning her a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team. She remained consistent as a sophomore, hitting .354 with six home runs and 42 RBI.

Following her first two seasons at Missouri, Sanchez suffered a season-ending injury at the plate on March 17, but gained two more years of eligibility after applying for a medical redshirt. Prior to her injury, she was hitting .308 with four doubles, three home runs and six RBI.

A two-time Spring SEC Academic Honor Roll selection, Sanchez played high school ball at Bishop Amat. She hit over .395 in all four seasons as a prep player, including a .569 year at the plate as a junior. She helped her team to a Del Rey League title, posting a 12-0 record in conference action as a junior.

For all of the latest news and information on Tiger softball, visit www.lsusports.net/softball. Fans can also follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/lsusoftball along with @lsusoftball and @BethTorina on Twitter and @lsusoftball on Instagram.