LSU’s student-athletes are usually busy with practice or competition six days a week, leaving one important off-day to recoup, recover and relax.
When not on their respective fields, LSU’s baseball and softball players have different hobbies, but their focus remains the same – to unwind and prepare for the long week ahead.
“Shoot, I like to fish,” said LSU baseball’s senior shortstop Austin Nola. “It’s tough to fish on your off-days because we really don’t have too many. I also try to catch up on my schoolwork, write papers, just get organized.”
Nola said LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri tells his players to get homework done and not be lazy, something Nola said is no problem for him.
“I can’t sit on the couch because we’ve been lucky to have beautiful weather on our off-days,” Nola said.
Senior third baseman Tyler Hanover said he spends off-days trying to learn to fish with Nola and resting up for the week.
“I usually try to keep it chill,” Hanover said. “You’re out here everyday on the grind, and it wears your body out. You just want to do as low energy as possible but also have some fun.”
Hanover added that Mainieri suggests the team keep on their feet, although safely.
“[Mainieri] tells us to play basketball and just don’t get hurt,” Hanover said.
Junior outfielder Mason Katz said he usually goes to the field on off-days, but swings a different club to occupy the rest of his free time.
“I usually play golf on my off-days,” Katz said. “I grew up a golfer, so I try to catch a round whenever I can.”
LSU softball’s senior shortstop Juliana Santos said off-days give the team an opportunity to get work done in the company of teammates.
“Almost every single person comes to the field and puts in some cage time,” Santos said. “We like to put the iPod on in the cages and just listen to music and hang out and work on whatever we need to work on for that week.”
Santos said it’s important to take care of the little things to avoid needing to worry about them later in the week.
“Maybe go grocery shopping and stock up for the week and try to get ahead any way you can,” Santos said.
Senior second baseman Cassie Trosclair said she is careful to not sit around on off-days.
“We’ll go to the stadium and maybe get a run in to give us something to keep going,” Trosclair said. “Mainly just staying in it, getting our schoolwork done and definitely getting rested.”
Trosclair said LSU softball coach Beth Torina tells the team to be smart with their bodies and take advantage of the day off, because the team only gets one per week.
Santos said it’s important to make time to have fun on off-days as well.
“We don’t like to stay [at the field] for hours upon hours,” Santos said. “After class, we try to get a little bit of study hall in, and then, weather permitting, we like to go hang out by the pool for a little bit.”
 
 
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Contact Scott Branson at [email protected]