BATON ROUGE – The No. 15 LSU softball team celebrates its 2010 Senior Class as Arkansas visits Tiger Park for a weekend series. Both Saturday’s doubleheader and Sunday’s single game are scheduled for a 1 p.m. start. All three games of the series will be broadcasted live on ESPN 104.5 and The X 104.9 FM in the Baton Rouge area with Patrick Wright set to call the action.
Rachel Mitchell, Kirsten Shortridge and Cody Trahan will be honored following Sunday’s series finale and their teammates stopped by to share some of their fondest memories of the 2010 Senior Class.
From #00 Ashley Langoni
“Rachel Mitchell is a leader and a role model for this team. Many of the young players look up to her. She wants to win and will go to extreme measures to do her part to get the victory. She’s a very determined and passionate player. The way she plays the game rubs off on each and every one of us. Mitch is one of the girls you look to, to get the job done, whether it be a game-winning hit or making a diving catch in the outfield. The team is surely going to miss her presence as great friend and teammate as well as the impact she has in our lineup. She has done a lot to improve and get the LSU softball program promoted for future players. Her skills on and off the field are one in a million. Skills all the way from catching a home run ball over the fence to being a hacky-sack champion. She’s always there to put a smile on your face and lighten the mood. We wish our playing days with her weren’t over. It has been a pleasure playing beside her for two years. We love you Mitch! Good luck in the pros and all you do. You’re going to be great!!
From #13 Katie Guillory
“Rachel is an extremely focused and mentally prepared teammate. I’ve never known someone to be as focused as her. I’ve learned a lot from her on how to prepare for games and certain situations. She has a hidden confidence and doesn’t say much, however, her body language shows it oh so well. At the same time, should anyone need a smile, she always finds a way to makes us laugh. I love her and our happy dance that we do in the outfield. I’ve learned more from her than I have from anyone on this team, and I hate to see her go. Love you Mitch!
From #11 Jessica Mouse
“Kirsten Shortridge is one of the best players I’ve ever seen and played with. She has many natural abilities such as speed, knowledge of the game and athleticism. Her ability to make things look easy at the plate has shown many people what a true center fielder can do. Kirsten is someone I have looked up to because she leads by example and lets her play on the field do all the talking. She knows how to be successful and will always give everything she has for the TEAM. I can’t imagine things without her next year because she has been such a threat and catalyst at the top of our lineup. Off the field, Kirsten is one of my best friends. She has been through a lot in her life and it shocks me to see how she bounces back so quickly. She is an emotionally strong person who will do anything for her teammates. If I ever needed someone to talk to, she would be there in a heartbeat! I love her to death and will miss her next year!!!
From #16 Lauren Houston
“Kirsten is one of the most unique people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and playing with. She has led me in so many different ways. She was the first to tell me what it was like to play at LSU and explained to me how much work is required to be successful. She prepared me mentally for the rude awakening I received in the fall during conditioning and practice. Kirsten also has taught me so much about being a college catcher. Once I began practice, she immediately started helping me with framing and giving me tips on how to make pitches look good to the umpires even though they may not be strikes. Kirsten is the kind of person who will be the first in your face if you mess up, but will be the first to pat you on the back for doing something excellent. She is always giving us motivational advice and tries her hardest to bring us together. She is just an all around great athlete. She can pitch, play the outfield and beat out a ball slowly hit to the shortstop. Next year, it will definitely be different without her. Although I will only have the privilege of playing with her for one year, I know that I will always remember everything she has taught me. Thank you, Kirsten.
From #37 Rachele Fico
“On typical sports teams players often look solely to their coaches for guidance. It is not often that a team finds themselves with a player that doubles as a coach on the field. We have found this type of player within Cody Trahan. Coach Girouard is a constant preacher that in order to create a legacy the players must leave things better then they found it. Cody has definitely taken this message to heart. Not only does Cody spend numerous hours working to improve her game, but she also has dedicated herself to helping her fellow pitchers in the bullpen. What makes Cody so special is that her accomplishments on the field are only equaled by her performance in the classroom. Cody is a perfect definition of a leader, role model, team player and most importantly a true friend. Cody has impacted all of our lives, and our team will always hold a special place for her in our hearts.
From #4 Morgan Russell
“So many words come to mind when I think about Cody, one of my amazing teammates. She represents and highlights many positive aspects about the program. A natural leader both on and off the field, Cody always is striving to do the right thing not only for herself and her teammates but also for this program. She truly has the biggest heart on the team, and her “Mom” aura will be missed by all of us next year and in the years to come. Cody’s fierce and “go-to” attitude on the mound brings an incredible amount of confidence to this team. Her overall presence and talents are what represent true Tiger spirit.