LSU softball coach Yvette Girouard has resumed her coaching duties after recovering from emergency eye surgery that repaired a detached retina on Jan. 17.
Girouard coached the squad in last weekend’s scrimmage after a two-week layoff.
“I just got back from the doctor, and the gas bubble is gone from the eye,” Girouard said. “I will still be wearing those stylish sunglasses, but I will be able to fly with the team.”
Now that Girouard has made a full recovery, the Lady Tigers will try to recover from a disappointing season in which LSU failed to make it to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1997. The Lady Tigers went 31-23, 12-18 in the Southeastern Conference and finished tied for third in the SEC West.
Since Girouard took over in 2001, LSU never had less than 50 wins until last season. The Lady Tigers’ 18 SEC losses almost eclipsed the total of 23 conference losses in the previous four seasons.
Girouard mentioned a contract sophomore Killian Roessner created that required no one to speak about last year.
“I lost a lot of sleep over the summer about what happened last year,” Roessner said. “I wanted to throw it out there and let everyone know how angry the team was about last year. But now we aren’t angry anymore because it is out of our heads.”
All nine of LSU’s starters from last year’s freshmen-laden team returned this season. Three freshmen were starters, while four others saw action last season in at least 28 games. Two additional freshmen pitchers combined for 14 wins and more than 150 innings pitched.
“We didn’t really lay out how the SEC conference works for the nine freshmen we had last year,” Girouard said. “These freshmen didn’t really have any clue, but now they are sophomores and they are ready for the SEC.”
Offensively senior first baseman and team co-captain Stephanie Hill returns after leading LSU with a .367 batting average last season. She belted seven home runs and batted in 33 runs.
“My job as a captain has been extremely easy,” Hill said. “Everyone is extremely responsible and dedicated. There isn’t a lack of focus this year.”
Sophomore second baseman Vanessa Soto led the Lady Tigers with 39 RBI as a freshman. Soto was one of five Tigers to hit above .300, finishing with a .306 batting average.
Sophomore shortstop Andrea Smith led all SEC shortstops with a .937 fielding percentage, and senior Lauren Delahoussaye starts her second year at third base.
Behind the plate, Roessner will begin the season as the starting catcher. Last season’s starter junior Kristen Hobbs is recovering from ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, also known as Tommy John surgery, but will be available by late March.
“Killian Roessner has come back a changed woman,” Girouard said. “She not only has the presence behind the plate, but she is hitting the ball, picking off people and most importantly she is handling the pitchers well.”
Senior outfielder and team co-captain Lauren Castle tied Hill with a .367 batting average. She scored 34 runs and had 25 RBI
Named to the USA Softball Collegiate National Player of the Year watch list, Castle might have to fill the designated player role to make room for sophomore Quinlan Duhon in right field.
Duhon led the Lady Tigers with eight home runs and contributed 38 RBI and 32 runs.
After suffering a second ACL tear last season, junior Leslie Klein will play center field. Klein received All-American honors as a freshman in 2004.
Klein scored 21 runs and hit 21 RBI in limited action last season.
“Skip [Bertman] and I basically had to convince Leslie to come back and play again after her second knee operation,” Girouard said. “She is unbelievable in center field right now. She loves the team, and she loves the game again.”
Senior Camille Harris will move to left field after playing in center and right field during her career. Harris led LSU with 42 runs while batting .338 and driving in 18 RBI.
“The outfield has matured 120 percent,” Harris said. “We are not only focusing on making the routine plays, but we want to make the ‘ESPN’ plays too. Whatever lineup coach picks, its going to be awesome.”
The Lady Tigers begin their season with a double header against Stephen F. Austin State University and Northwestern State University in Tiger Park on Feb. 10.
 
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