At the rate it’s going, the LSU softball team will have shaken the rust off after just two weekends.
No. 18 LSU (6-0) is just five days into its season, and the Tigers have already played three doubleheaders with two more to come at week’s end.
“It’s just the way it is. We have to jam so many [games] in to get ready for conference play,” said LSU coach Yvette Girouard. “We’re already 6-0 after just three days.”
After so much softball, the prospect of playing just one game seems like a break. LSU hosts its first midweek game of 2011 tonight, with Southeastern Louisiana (3-2) coming to Tiger Park at 6 p.m.
Midweek games have been an Achilles heel for the Tigers in recent seasons — something Girouard attributed to her experimental tendencies.
Heading into the second week of the season, Girouard said she might rearrange things to give some younger players, like freshman outfielder Alex Boulet and freshman utility player Jacee Blades, a chance to contribute.
“Blades might play some infield so we can get her some more at bats. We might try to get Boulet some at bats,” Girouard said. “Those are some kids that can really run and help us, so we might do that.”
Girouard also noted the motivation factor for in-state schools playing against Louisiana’s most high profile program.
“They’re always going to be excited to play here,” Girouard said. “Sometimes we can’t match that intensity.”
Based on LSU’s fast start, those may not be concerns this time around. The Tigers pounded the opposition by a combined total of 41-8 during opening weekend.
The Tiger lineup, which Girouard fretted over during the team’s media day last week, delivered a team batting average of .368. Three juniors — infielder Anissa Young, infielder Juliana Santos and outfielder Ashley Langoni — combined to provide 18 RBIs.
“The whole team is really working,” Santos said. “I think we produced from one through nine.”
Of particular prominence was freshman outfielder Simone Heyward, who sparkled in the leadoff spot vacated by former senior Kirsten Shortridge.
“I came out here and did what I was supposed to,” Heyward said. “There are things I can still work on, but that comes in time.”
Heyward batted .412 for the weekend, knocking two triples and scoring 11 runs. She also frustrated opposing pitchers, stealing six bases during the course of the weekend.
“I hit second … and four or five times she was on third already with no outs,” Santos said. “As long as I make contact, she’s going to score. She’s very dynamic.”
The Tigers’ pitching staff was dynamic in its own right, as LSU’s three pitchers combined for a 1.26 ERA. The best performance of all came from incoming freshman Meghan Patterson, who posted a 2-0 record and a 0.54 ERA on the way to being named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week.
“The freshmen did awesome,” Santos said. “Patterson did absolutely amazing for us, and all the pitchers pitched great.”
Despite the early success, Girouard said Wednesday’s lineup won’t be the final edition. Two of LSU’s seniors, infielder Jessica Mouse and outfielder Ashley Applegate, are still injured and not ready for action.
 
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Contact David Helman at [email protected]