Softball coach Torina begins new era at LSU softball
“She obviously thought very highly of this team, because she’s truly challenged us this year with the schedule that we have.” Beth Torina , LSU softball coach, on former coach Yvette Girouard
Yvette Girouard left her visor in the third-base coach’s box as she exited the Texas A&M Softball Complex last year after coaching her final game.
New coach Beth Torina said Tuesday it’s no secret what she left for her.
Standing before a room of reporters to kick off LSU’s annual softball media day, Torina looked out on the gem of a diamond Girouard helped make a reality and spoke about the long list of returnees from her predecessor’s farewell season.
“She left us with such a great spot, so I enjoy following her,” Torina said. “I think I’ll do a good job of respecting what she built here and really trying to continue some of the traditions that she’s brought. I think that’s important.”
Torina will begin her first season at the helm Friday when the Tiger Classic gets under way at Tiger Park. The former Florida pitcher made the move from Florida International when Girouard retired after 11 seasons and the LSU job came open.
As she finished her Hall-of-Fame career with 1,285 career victories, Girouard promised to stay close to the program and support her Tigers from the bleachers rather than the dugout.
She still lives in Baton Rouge, so Torina has called on her plenty to keep her posted on everything going on.
Torina has given many thanks.
“I also want to thank her for giving us this schedule that we have to face in 2012,” Torina said, tongue in cheek. “She obviously thought very highly of this team, because she’s truly challenged us this year with the schedule that we have.”
The schedule Girouard left includes five of the eight teams that reached the Women’s College World Series last season. Nonconference matchups with the likes of California, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Michigan and Georgia Tech combine with Alabama, Florida and the usual gauntlet of Southeastern Conference powers.
But the Tigers, ranked as high as 22nd in the preseason polls, have championship aspirations of their own despite the transition in the coach’s box.
Brittany Mack and Rachele Fico return to give LSU one of the top one-two pitching duos around. Powerful senior Ashley Langoni and speedy sophomore Simone Heyward anchor the offense.
Third baseman Jessica Mouse (South Florida) and first baseman Anissa Young (Cal State-Fullerton) left to play their senior seasons close to home. But senior outfielder Ashley Applegate returns after missing all of last season with a hand injury, and Northwestern State transfer Ashleigh Kuhn, a sophomore first baseman, enters the fold along with five freshmen.
“It was hard with Girouard leaving, but we knew it was time for a new start,” Mack said. “We were ready for what was ahead of us, and it was great having coach (Torina) come in and set the tone for us.”
Mack and Fico spearheaded a 12-game winning streak to finish the regular season last year. The problem was the offense.
LSU generated only one run in its two losses at the Texas A&M regional after being shut out by Georgia in the SEC tournament. The Tigers batted .252 as a team with no player batting .300 or better.
Torina lured Southern Miss head coach Howard Dobson to LSU as her hitting coach in an effort to help balance things out.
“Our offense is swinging really well,” Torina said. “I think if you ask our pitching staff, it’s a lot tougher for them to get this offense out for them this year.”
Langoni showed a little of that offensive pop when she blasted 15 homers during the home-run derby Saturday at LSU fan day. One of those homers sailed all the way over the berm in left field and into the parking lot.
Meanwhile, Mack struck out “celebrity guests” Sam Montgomery and Tyrann Mathieu from the LSU football team.
Mack said only one thing could top that.
“Striking out some more SEC girls,” she said. “Maybe in another rematch with Bama.”