It’s the Eye of the Tiger painted in center field.
It’s senior center fielder A.J. Andrews’ voice echoing through the stadium as she delivers her pre-game speech in the intro video.
It’s LSU power-hitting duo sophomore infielder Sahvanna Jaquish and junior shortstop Bianka Bell setting yet another home run record with a long ball to the berm.
These traditions are just a part of the legend the No. 3 LSU softball team has built within the confines of Tiger Park in its historic 2015 season. But for the Tigers, the most important tradition comes postgame when they head to outfield fence to sign autographs.
“I could not ask for a better fan base from any school that I would’ve picked in the country,” said junior catcher Kellsi Kloss. “Seeing so many fans every single day, whether it’s a weekend or a midweek or whether we’re playing Alabama or McNeese State, it’s amazing.”
From the best start in school history to the countless individual records set at home this season, LSU dominated in Tiger Park behind the energy of the Tiger faithful, posting a 30-1 record.
The Tigers have outscored their opponents 228-41 at home, including 12 of their 16 wins by mercy-rule.
Bell and Jaquish have rewritten LSU’s home run records at Tiger Park this season. In Game 2 against Arkansas on March 7, Bell broke the Tigers’ career home run record. Jaquish set the program single-season RBI record at 64 against then-No. 24 Texas A&M on April 20.
While the Tigers’ lineup lit up the scoreboard, LSU’s pitching has allowed only 10 homers at home and recorded a 1.20 ERA.
Freshman pitcher Carley Hoover, a transfer from Stanford, said she relishes every opportunity to step in the dugout or into the circle at Tiger Park.
In her freshman campaign, Hoover has eight wins and has a 0.83 ERA at home this season.
“Stanford was like another field,” Hoover said. “Tiger Park is a stadium. The nicest stadium in America. Just to be able to practice here every day, we don’t just play games here. We get to practice here. Empty or not, it’s still a beautiful place, and we’re very blessed to be able to work here.”
Although Andrews and senior designated player Kailey McCasland recorded 99 career wins in Tiger Park, the pair said the fans and the atmosphere have reached an entirely new level this season.
As LSU prepares for its last regular season conference series this weekend against Auburn, the seniors and company say they hope to fulfill the sky-high expectations of the Tiger faithful.
“The atmosphere is intense this year,” Andrews said. “Everyone believes that we can make it to the World Series this year. Everyone is telling us that they are buying their tickets for the World Series, and they’re going to see us there…The fans are just so excited, and they’re so hyped every single game, so ready for us to beat everybody. It’s only adds to our fire.”
You can reach Morgan Prewitt on Twitter @kmprewitt_TDR.