LSU softball coach Yvette Girouard said many might dismiss her comments at Wednesday’s media day as “cliche.”
She acknowledged that it was certainly not unique for any coach to discuss team chemistry, unity and respect as defining qualities for a team. But Girouard said this LSU team has recorded more community service hours in the off-season than any prior team, which is a bond she hopes will translate to the field.
“We just have one of those intangibles that coaches talk about all the time – unbelievable team chemistry,” she said.
The Tigers ended the 2007 season with a 7-4 loss to Arizona State in the NCAA Super Regional. LSU opens its final season in Tiger Park on Friday against St. John’s in the 2008 Easton Tiger Classic. LSU is ranked No. 7 in the NFCA/USA Today preseason poll.
Girouard, who coaches the pitchers, said junior pitcher Dani Hofer’s experience under pressure will be crucial for LSU’s success. Hofer started 26 games during the 2007 season and earned First-Team All-Southeastern Conference honors with a 24-3 record.
“Dani will be called on to shoulder most of the burden,” Girouard said. “She really came into her own last year, and she is going to be counted on heavily.”
Sophomore pitcher Cody Trahan and senior pitcher Tiffany Garcia will be key back-ups to Hofer. Trahan suffered a herniated disc earlier in the season but finished 2007 with a 4-1 record in five starts.
“Cody can be a huge weapon for us if her health holds up,” Girouard said. “Tiffany keeps the ball down and has the best changeup on the team.”
Associate Head Coach James DeFeo discussed strengths among LSU’s hitters and outfielders.
“In our outfield, we have speed, power and depth,” DeFeo said. “We have talent from pretty much every class.”
DeFeo said senior outfielders Dee Dee Henderson and Quinlan Duhon bring leadership as this season’s captains. DeFeo said fans should look for freshman Ashley Applegate to quickly make an impact.
“She’s going to make her presence known in left field,” he said. “She has an absolute cannon.”
Assistant coach Megan Smith discussed the limited number of LSU infielders after the departure of starters Vanessa Soto and Andrea Smith. Soto transferred to the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, and Smith did not return to the team. Second baseman Shannon Stein is the only 2007 infield starter returning to the same position.
“Quality, not quantity, is our mantra,” Smith said.
Senior Tayl’r Hollis has moved from third base to shortstop. Freshman Jessica Mouse will start at third base, and senior Erika Sluss will start at first.
“Reading the ball has been the biggest adjustment for me,” Hollis said. “Coming from third, it’s a fast reaction. When you’re at shortstop, you actually have more time to think about the groundball.”
LSU opens SEC play less than a month from now on March 8. The Tigers’ first conference series is at home against Georgia.
Girouard said she is realistic when examining the SEC challenges her team will face. LSU is one of three SEC teams in the NFCA/USA Today preseason top 10. Alabama is ranked No. 2, Tennessee sits at No. 4 and No. 11 Florida is just beyond the top 10.
“You’re going to get beat,” Girouard said. “No one is going through this conference unbeaten. You can just look at the national rankings and see.”
In their preseason poll, SEC coaches picked LSU to finish second in the SEC West behind Alabama. Coaches also picked Alabama to win the overall SEC title.
– Sports writer Jerit Roser contributed to this report.
—-
Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected]