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The LSU softball program has built its legacy and tradition on two Women’s College World Series trips, five SEC championships and 11 NCAA Regional appearances. Head coach Yvette Girouard is confident that the tools are in place to return to the pinnacle of the sport as the Tigers blend of solid nucleus with talented newcomers for the 2010 season. LSU is sixth nationally and has compiled an impressive 441-137-1 record since Girouard took over the program prior to the 2001 season.
                
"It’s time encompasses many facets of our program. It’s time to achieve the goals that are always established in this program," Girouard said. "It’s time to embrace the community, fill the stadium and win championships. These are all things that LSU softball has done in the past. We understand that to reach these goals we have to win at the highest level. That’s why you come to LSU. There are no pushovers in the SEC and the proof is in the pudding as nine teams from our league made the NCAA’s last season. It’s a brutal road schedule for us especially having to play Florida and Alabama back-to-back over a span of five days. Tennessee is very tough in Knoxville as we found out in last year’s SEC Tournament and Kentucky is a program on the rise."

THE BATTERY
As is the case for any collegiate softball program, LSU’s pitching staff will have the biggest impact on the Tigers. LSU boast one of the nation’s deepest staffs with five viable options that each possess different weapons. Seniors Cody Trahan and Kirsten Shortridge headline the staff with junior Casey Faile, sophomore Brittany Mack and freshman Rachele Fico all ready to contribute when their opportunity presents itself. 

"It always starts in the circle and I feel that both Cody and Kirsten can be All-SEC pitchers this season," Girouard said. "Their experience is vital. The big question mark for both is if they can stay healthy. We minimized their innings and workouts during the fall so they can be as strong as possible for the spring. Cody has very good spin and is at her best when she has command hitting her spots across the inside and outside portions of the plate. Kirsten’s biggest asset is that she keeps the ball down. She has a tremendous drop ball, the best on our staff, and keeps the ball in the park. That allows what we feel is a very strong defense behind her to control the game. Rachele Fico comes to LSU as one of the most heralded pitchers since Britni Sneed and Kristen Schmidt. We worked with Fico on a lot of things over the fall to give her more weapons in the circle. She hits her spots as well as anyone I’ve coached in a long time. If you are afforded the opportunity to always work ahead in the count, the ball is in your back pocket and you have all the power."

Calling the shots for LSU behind the plate will be sophomore Morgan Russell and freshman Lauren Houston.

"Morgan and Lauren are both valuable defensive catchers who have been working hard during the fall season," assistant coach Kristen Hobbs said. "They’re working really well with framing and receiving the ball in addition to developing relationships with each member of the pitching staff."

THE INFIELD
The Tigers return three-fourths of its infield after having to replace 75 percent of the unit in 2008. LSU’s infield gained valuable experience last season. Junior third baseman Jessica Mouse and sophomore first baseman Anissa Young paced the Tigers with .991 and .990 fielding percentages, respectively.

"Jessica is a special player and makes third base look incredibly easy," Hobbs said. "Third base is a very hard position because they play so close to the opposing hitters. Her footwork, arm strength and leadership abilities are unbelievable. She’s everything a coach could ever ask for and leads by example making everybody around her better. Juliana Santos did an awesome job at shortstop for us last year. When looking at the statistics, shortstops usually get the most balls. She’s got excellent range and makes every play we’ve asked her to. You’ll see her play a lot of shortstop as well as second base. Allison Falcon, one of our freshmen, absolutely lit it up during our fall games. We knew we were getting an athlete with her and she’s going to be an immediate impact player for the Tigers this season.  We love the fact that she’s the type of player that will rise up to a challenge. You’ll see a lot of Juliana and Allison all over the middle of the infield. Having Anissa Young at first base is really comfortable for our infield. To have her vocal abilities out there keeps our unit together. She’s not someone you notice all the time but not many balls get past by her. There are times where our first basemen touch the ball just as much as the pitchers and catchers. She does a wonderful job of digging out the throw that isn’t perfect."

THE OUTFIELD
LSU’s outfield will once again be characterized by speed, power, experience and depth. Seniors Kirsten Shortridge and Rachel Mitchell will patrol center and right field for the Tigers. When Shortridge is pitching, Mitchell moves to center which allows junior Ashley Applegate to slide into right field. Applegate also saw a majority of time at designated player when not in the outfield. Sophomore Ashley Langoni is the frontrunner to play left field.

"Kirsten is an elite centerfield. Her range allows her to make every play," associate head coach James DeFeo said. "She is not afraid to sacrifice her body and makes tough plays look routine. It’s a shame that she is a senior, but we look to her to have an amazing final campaign. We’re expecting big things again from Rachel. She worked extremely hard during the offseason. I believe she’ll remind everyone of her power numbers from her freshman and sophomore seasons. Her swing is exactly where it needs to be and we’ll rely heavy in her in clutch situations. It’s key for us to have interchangeable parts in the outfield because that allows us to give teams different looks with our lineup. Applegate has a strong arm and is very dynamic part of our unit. Her range continues to get better and she is a big part of our offense behind Kirsten to set the table for the heart of our lineup. Langoni really came into her own as she was thrown into the fire during NCAA’s in the outfield. She took advantage of the situation and took to it like a fish to water. The fall season allowed her to get more comfortable and relax out there after getting more reps. That comfort level will help her swing the bat with more confidence."