For senior designated players Kailey McCasland and Dylan Supak, the top step of LSU’s dugout at Tiger Park has became their home away from home during the last four years.
It’s a spot reserved just for the two of them, who’ve been there for each other through all morning practices, tough workouts and late game heroics.
A lot has changed for McCasland and Supak during their LSU softball careers, but their friendship has remained the one constant. After rooming together in their freshman year, McCasland and Supak have been inseparable.
“Everyone on the team is like sisters,” Supak said. “But it’s kind of like we are twins because we’ve had the same role. We’re by each other every day … It’s so
awesome because without softball, I never would have met this random girl from California. It’s definitely brought me one of my closest and life-long friends.”
Although the pair started 62 games their freshman year, Supak and McCasland’s playing time dwindled to no starts and only 25 appearances in 2014.
In her freshman season in 2012, Supak hit .202 on the season and posted a .977 fielding percentage in her 47 appearances.
After starting 35 games at first base in 2012, Supak lost her starting spot to then-freshman first baseman Sandra Simmons in her sophomore year. Simmons has made all but one start at first for LSU in the past three years.
McCasland split her 30 starts in her first two seasons between third base, designated player and right field. Through her first two seasons, McCasland hit one home run and nine RBIs.
Despite losing her starting spot, Supak helped McCasland see the silver lining in their situation — being able to provide energy and leadership from the dugout.
“She’s super positive,” McCasland said. “In the worst situation, she’ll find the one positive thing about it. Not that I’m super negative, but she’s always finding the positive things. We’re very different.”
The duo has made 14 starts in the designated player spot through the Tigers’ first 32 games in 2015.
Supak leads LSU’s non-everyday starters with a .240 average. Five of her six hits this season have been doubles.
In her first at-bat of the season against Central Arkansas on Feb. 13, McCasland hit a walk-off ,inside-the-park home run that secured a 8-0 victory by mercy rule.
Although they don’t start every game, McCasland and Supak must remain completely focused on the game in case they are called on to pinch hit. To keep themselves in the game and help their teammates, they stand on the top step in the dugout and scout the opposing pitcher.
Before any batter steps up to the plate for the Tigers, McCasland and Supak give her a quick scouting report of what they have seen from the opposing pitcher during the game.
“It helps them out and helps them be successful,” Supak said. “To know that you are doing everything you can, even though you don’t have a bat in your hands at that time, you’ve got to accept your role and go forward with that. We really pride ourselves in being able to contribute in that way.”
The pair doesn’t enjoy the same name recognition as the Tigers’ other senior center fielder A.J. Andrews, but their
leadership and determination to help the team in any way has established a selfless culture within the program.
Despite not playing night in and night out, McCasland and Supak inspire their teammates and their coaches with their dedication to the team and the game.
“[McCasland and Supak] help our kids understand what it takes to be a Tiger,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “They hold them accountable. They’re so selfless … Our younger kids can view them doing that and those two people still contributing and doing all they can do. It sets the tone for a team with a really great idea of what a team is. They really magnify the team concept.”
You can reach Morgan Prewitt on Twitter @kmprewitt_TDR