BATON ROUGE – After two weeks of spirited practices, the LSU softball team will embark on the fall season with a Friday doubleheader against Northwestern State. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. and admission is free to Tiger Park for all fall contests.
“I’m excited for our players to put the uniform on for the first time and for our fans to get their first glimpse of the 2012 Tigers,” head coach Beth Torina said. “We’ve got a great mix of veterans and newcomers. As coaches, we’re looking forward to seeing how the players respond in a game atmosphere after all of their hard work at practice.”
LSU returns 17 players from its 2011 roster sparked by NFCA All-American Third-Team and All-SEC First-Team selection Brittany Mack along with All-SEC Freshman Team pick Simone Heyward.
Mack compiled a 20-7 record with a blistering 1.74 ERA and racked up 209 strikeouts over her 184.2 innings of work. Offensively, Heyward sported team-highs with a .294 batting average and garnered 23 stolen bases.
The Tigers notched a 40-18 record and made their 13th NCAA Regional appearance last season. Following its doubleheader versus Northwestern State, LSU will play host to the National Pro Fastpich Professionals Tuesday at 7 p.m. as part of the NPF’s Back to School College Tour.