The LSU softball team continued practices on Thursday as the Lady Tigers prepare for their season opener on Feb. 6 against Centenary.
Coach Yvette Girouard, in her fourth season at LSU, is currently No. 5 among career leaders in NCAA Division I wins. Since coming to LSU, Girouard has led the Lady Tigers to their first Women’s College World Series in 2001, finishing third in the nation. Girouard also earned her 900th career victory this past season.
LSU, who finished the 2003 season with a 50-18 record, returns four starters, including senior pitcher Kristen Schmidt. Schmidt, who had a 34-15 overall record last season, currently ranks second in school history in career complete games, strikeouts, shutouts and strikeouts per seven innings.
Also returning are second baseman Sara Fitzgerald and third baseman Julie Wiese, who will serve as captains of the 2004 squad.
Wiese, coming off a Second Team All-Louisiana selection, ranked second on the team in home runs and walks last season. She was also a member of the 2003 Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
Fitzgerald, who started all 68 games last season, led the team in hits in 2003. She also ranked eighth in the SEC in runs scored.
The Lady Tigers, who will enter the season ranked No. 15 in the nation by the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll, will begin the season ranked for the sixth consecutive season. This is their first ranking by the ESPN/USA Softball poll, which began during the 2003 season
Fellow SEC opponents Alabama at No. 6 and Georgia at No. 10 are just two of the five ranked teams the Lady Tigers will face this season. Tennessee rounds out the rankings at No. 25.
Aside from the tough upcoming SEC schedule, Girouard said she is pleased with the Lady Tigers’ progress thus far.
“It’s just a matter of playing now,” Girouard said. “We’ve covered everything we could possibly think of. It’s just a matter of execution.”
“I know that we’re going to play good defense and have good pitching,” Girouard said. “Our strength’s going to be our team speed. That’s a good situation to have.”
Girouard was especially pleased with how well the team managed to stay in shape over the long holiday break.
“They’ve all worked really hard,” Girouard said. “They came back in the best shape I’ve seen since I’ve been here.”
With No. 4 Oklahoma coming to town for the Tiger Classic on Feb. 7, Girouard and the Lady Tigers are looking forward to the matchup.
“They’ve got a great team and a great program,” Girouard said. “We’re
ready.”