The LSU softball team began two-a-day practices last week in preparation for the upcoming 2010 season.A buzz was in the air as the team was excited to open the spring practice in the new Tiger Park. Last spring, construction on Tiger Park wasn’t complete until just before the season began.”It’s nice for us to be in our new home and to be able to do two-a-days out here,” said LSU coach Yvette Girouard. “It’s an unbelievable advantage to be settled.”LSU is looking to rebound from its disappointing two losses at No. 9 Arizona State in the NCAA Regionals on May 17. The Tigers defeated the Sun Devils, 10-2, in their first matchup and were one win away from advancing to the NCAA Super Regionals, but they were eliminated after dropping two straight to the Sun Devils.”Coming off of last year, we kind of left with a bad feeling in our stomachs at Arizona State,” said junior third baseman Jessica Mouse. “So this year we’ve set some pretty high goals for ourselves as individuals and for our team.”Mouse was named team captain by her teammates in the fall and said she’s going to make sure everyone stays focused and motivated.”She’s a tremendous student athlete, community-service minded, team-oriented and unquestionably the hardest worker on the team,” Girouard said.The Tigers return most of their players from the 2009 squad, except former pitcher Dani Hofer and former outfielder Jazz Jackson.In addition to the returning players, the Tigers added five new freshmen and two transfer players.Pitcher Rachele Fico highlighted the new freshman recruits and pitched a national high school record 26 perfect games. Fico also finished her high school career with a 105-3 record.”She’s a cerebral pitcher,” Girouard said. “She knows when things aren’t working, how to fix them and she has a feel for her pitches. That puts her way ahead of the game.”Joining Fico in the freshman class are outfielder Jackie Victoriano, outfielder Lindsay Price, catcher Lauren Houston and utility player Allison Falcon.Senior center fielder Kirsten Shortridge said all the returning players and the new recruits have formed a special chemistry that she believes will contribute to a great Tiger season.”The attitude is just different this year,” Shortridge said. “Our freshmen came in and they’re taking control. I think we’re going to go a long way.”Shortridge propelled the offense from the leadoff position last season and led the team in batting average (.426), hits (80) and stolen bases (26) on her way to being named an Easton second-team All-American and a Louisville Slugger/NFCA third-team All-American.”This coaching staff is amazing, and they have done a lot for me,” Shortridge said. “I think that’s why I accomplished the things I did last year, other than my team behind me.”Girouard said the key to the season is keeping everyone healthy. But that hasn’t been easy thus far. All three seniors suffered injuries in the fall.Pitcher Cody Trahan was sidelined with an elbow injury for six weeks after being wiped out on her scooter by a school bus. Shortridge tore rib cartilage and was hampered by it throughout the fall. Outfielder Rachel Mitchell has been suffering from back problems the last couple years.Girouard said all three seniors didn’t practice much during the fall, but they are well on their way to recovering and should be ready in a month when the Tigers travel to Austin, Texas, for the Texas Invitational on Feb. 12.”As all coaches say, the golden word is healthy,” Girouard said. “If we can keep those three healthy during the season, then that’s a key ingredient for us.”——Contact Jarred LeBlanc at [email protected]