BATON ROUGE – The LSU softball team charged toward the 2011 season with a pair of strong and spirited 90-minute workouts Monday at Tiger Park.
“The energy was off the charts for the first day of practice,” head coach Yvette Girouard said. “The question will be if we’re able to sustain it as the week continues. So far so good, especially having to battle the cold weather and elements. The players went all out on every play, and I’m extremely pleased with the work we were able to accomplish today.”
The Tigers feature 13 returning letterwinners highlighted by Rachele Fico and Anissa Young, a pair of National Fastpitch Coaches Association [NFCA] All-South Region First-Team selections.
Fico, the SEC Co-Freshman of the Year and All-SEC Second-Team performer, posted a 20-7 record with a SEC-leading 1.15 ERA and a program single-season record of five saves. The Oxford, Conn., native racked up 10 of her 20 victories over RPI Top 50 opponents last season.
Young has made 114 consecutive starts during her first two seasons. She posted eight home runs and recorded 25 of her 39 RBIs during SEC action in 2010. The Tigers won 19 of 21 games when Young posted a RBI last season.
LSU also return seniors Ashley Applegate and Jessica Mouse. Applegate paces all returnees with 12 multi-hit efforts, while Mouse sparked the Tigers to a SEC-best and program single season record .976 fielding percentage last season.
LSU also boasts a septet of impressive freshmen. Jacee Blades and Tammy Wray notched NFCA High School All-American accolades. Wray along with Meghan Patterson also were named Gatorade Softball Player of the Year for their respective states.
“We’re focused on reps and getting a lot of quality work done this week,” Girouard said. “It’s also a wonderful bonding time for the team. They have the opportunity to spend all day together in our phenomenal facility. It’s a fun time and the beginning of a long and exciting season.”
For the first time since the 2008 season, LSU will spend opening weekend inside the friendly confines of Tiger Park. Bowling Green, Louisiana Tech and Purdue head to the Capitol City as part of the Wilson/DeMarini Tiger Classic from Feb. 11-13.
LSU earned a runner-up finish at the SEC Tournament en route to a 45-16 finish, its 10th season with at least 45 victories since softball was reinstated in 1997. The Tigers also reeled off a program-best 24-game winning streak and recorded their 12th NCAA Regional appearance in 2010.
Fans can get updated information on the softball team at www.Facebook.com/lsusoftball and on Twitter at Twitter.com/LSU_Softball. Ticket information for a marquee home schedule that features home series with SEC heavyweights Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee is available at www.LSUtix.net.