In the sport of softball, there are a few major keys that can lead to victory. A combination of solid pitching, offense and defense can all go a long way toward a win, but sometimes teams may need an extra push.
“Can’t beat crazy” is a motto the No. 5 LSU softball team uses to propel them to victory.
“Our motto is ‘can’t beat crazy,’” said senior shortstop Bianka Bell. “We want to be as loud and obnoxious and crazy as we can just to distract the other team.”
Avid Tiger fans may notice the team wearing Dr. Seuss hats, Mardi Gras beads and even superhero masks.
The average fan might think the players are just goofing around, but it’s actually a part of the softball culture.
“Softball is a game,” said sophomore outfielder Emily Griggs. “It’s supposed to be fun. When it’s a big series or a really close game, and we’re in the dugout having fun, I think the other team just looks at us like, ‘Wow, they’re having fun. Pressure is on us.’”
While most of the players don’t know how this tradition started, it’s something they have all embraced. Freshman outfielder Amber Serrett picked up a straw hat and a few other items in the summer, which the Tiger faithful will see later this year.
Junior second baseman Constance Quinn often participates in the dugout shenanigans with her teammates and even has her own favorite rally headgear, but she doesn’t plan on bringing it out just yet.
“I’m kind of saving it for a big game,” Quinn said. “It’s my Batman mask. I’m kind of waiting for that one to come out.”
While LSU coach Beth Torina doesn’t participate in the dugout, she still buys items for the team, most recent of which is a fly swatter.
The most valuable rally item for the Tigers isn’t a mask or a hat but rather a fish.
Juanita, a small goldfish that Bell and sophomore pitcher Allie Walljasper bought at a Walmart during last year’s trip to the Women’s College World Series, is a team favorite and good luck charm.
The small fish became a part of the LSU family after spending time in the dugout whenever the Tigers needed late-inning magic last season.
Upon returning from Oklahoma City, Juanita, who almost didn’t survive her plane ride back to Baton Rouge, has now transitioned from the dugout to the clubhouse, watching the Tigers’ games from afar until she’s needed for a big matchup.
“Juanita probably won’t be here until postseason,” Bell said. “She’s still chilling. We have to wait until postseason to bring her out. That’s our good luck charm. We don’t want to overuse her.”
Though Juanita has not yet seen action for the Tigers this season, the rally hats have been broken out a few times this year — most recently in Saturday’s win against Texas Tech.
Facing a 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the seventh and down to their last out, the Tigers pulled out all of their rally hats and masks in hopes for a comeback victory.
With a crowd of more than 1,500 in attendance, and her teammates cheering her on with Iron Man masks and Captain America helmets, junior third baseman Sahvanna Jaquish stepped up to the plate and became the hero the Tigers needed.
Jaquish belted a two-run home run over left-center field wall to tie the game against the Red Raiders. An unlikely hero capped off the rally for the Tigers.
Junior Bailey Landry, not known as a power hitter, blasted her first home run of the season to win the contest for Tigers.
“When we put the rally mask on or the rally hat, whatever it might be, we get in the opponent’s head,” Quinn said. “We’re all pumped up and crazy, and I see that helps out a lot.”