First in a seven-part softball series previewing the 2007 season leading up to the season-opening Easton Tiger Classic Tournament at Tiger Park on Feb. 9-11.
BATON ROUGE — Falling one game shy of the Women’s College World Series at Arizona last year has made the 2007 LSU softball team return with a renewed dedication to completing their goals and earning the Tigers’ third WCWS berth in seven seasons.
“‘Unfinished business’ is the mantra this club has adopted and embraced heading into the 2007 campaign,” said head coach Yvette Girouard. “Coming within one game of returning to the College World Series on the home field of eventual National Champion Arizona in Super Regionals showed the returnees on this team the reality that they are indeed close to the dream.”
Having lost four senior starters from the 2006 team, this year’s squad went into the fall knowing that many positions were up for grabs and that every player would have to compete for a starting role, which showed the true spirit of the team.
“We had an extremely competitive team in fall drills, in the challenges we presented to them both as a whole and as individuals,” said Girouard. “That has shown that this team has great passion and heart.”
That heart and passion has led to an eagerness to get better everyday because they know they control their own destiny. The Tigers practice with an aggressiveness that shows they want to be champions and are willing to put in the work.
“Dirty uniforms everyday in practice embodies a unit that will have no excuses or regrets when they leave the field,” said Girouard. “They celebrate the effort and know the desired outcome will eventually follow.
“Changes defensively to personnel will allow this team to be as sound as any LSU softball team has been. Defense is about an attacking attitude and this team portrays that in their everyday demeanor on the field.”