With the team set to move into its new facility for the spring season, the Tigers sent Tiger Park away in style last night against Southeastern Louisiana.Thanks to a five-run first inning, the Tigers defeated the Lions 15-5, closing out Tiger Park’s 12-year history. “It’s going to be weird,” said sophomore pitcher Casey Faile. “We’re used to playing here. But we’re going into a new place, and we’re really excited about it.” LSU started the game red hot offensively following a perfect top half of the first inning by junior pitcher Cody Trahan.The first five Tigers reached base in the bottom of the first inning, capped by a two RBI double by Faile.Trahan kept the Lions in check the rest of the way and pitched three perfect innings before turning the game over to the LSU bullpen.Trahan said pitching with a large lead helped her experiment with new pitches she hopes to use in the spring season.”Having a lead makes a huge difference,” she said. “You have an opportunity to play around with a couple of pitches and do what you’re trying to do without freaking out every time someone gets on base.”The Tigers added single runs in the second and third innings before exploding for four more in the fourth inning.Faile recorded her second double of the night in the inning.The Kershaw, S.C., native finished the game four-for-five with three RBIs.Faile also pitched three innings and allowed just one hit.”She’s one of those rare oddities that can pitch and hit,” Girouard said. “We need to find a place for her in the lineup, and that’s what we were trying to do at the end of last season.” LSU scored in six of the eight innings the Tigers batted and had 25 hits as a team.Girouard said she expects the team’s offensive output to be one of the strong suits of the team this season.”Once we figure out who the regular nine is, we’ll also have some legitimate bats who can come off the bench and push people,” she said. “Offensively, I think we’re going to be fun to watch. The Tigers completed the fall season with a 7-0 record.Faile said LSU accomplished what it needed to in the fall season and is anxious for the Feb. 5 season opener against UAB at the Paradise Softball Classic in Honolulu.”People got to get in and play different positions, and we got to see how the team would react to each other,” she said. “I think we got done what we needed to.” Despite Wednesday night being the final game in Tiger Park, Girouard said the Lady Tigers are not going to miss their old stomping grounds.”We’ve looked forward to this day probably since the inception of the program,” Girouard said with a smile. “Every player that’s been recruited to this program the last seven years has been promised this park, so there won’t be very many regrets leaving here.”- – – -Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]