Southeastern Conference play has traditionally brought out the best in LSU's softball team.
Five straight Western Division championships, and a unanimous selection by conference coaches to repeat as overall champion this season, are a testament to that fact.
Coach Yvette Girouard hopes that trend continues when the No. 4 Tigers (15-5) open SEC play at home with a three-game series against Florida (12-12).
The series begins with an 11 a.m. doubleheader today followed by a 11 a.m. single game on Sunday.
The second game of the doubleheader will be televised locally on a tape-delayed basis at 9 p.m. on Cable Ch. 10.
"We had a really good practice on Thursday," said Girouard, owner of a career 833-266 record. "I think with the start of the SEC there's that excitement. But we've talked about this being a process. Do I think we've put it all together yet? No. I've seen it in spurts. But we haven't clicked on all cylinders yet."
LSU's team batting average has steadily climbed to .283. But the Tigers feature only one player -- center fielder Trena Peel -- batting above .300. She leads the club with a .410 average, six triples, 12 RBIs and seven stolen bases in nine attempts.
Freshman shortstop Blair Smith (.298, 2 RBIs) and sophomore third baseman Julie Wiese (.292, 2 homers, 8 RBIs) are next.
"We seem to be unfocused at times with our hitting," Girouard said. "There's such a delicate balance to hitting. It's a matter of trust. Trusting in the system, your swing and your hands. They've got to bring their swings from the (batting) cage to the game."
Girouard plans to utilize her All-American tandem in the circle against Florida, a team that's lost 10 of its last 12 games.
First team selection Britni Sneed (6-4, 1.75 ERA, 98 Ks) will start the first game today and Sunday, while second team choice Kristin Schmidt (6-1, 0.91, 69 Ks) will start today's second game.
Eight of the SEC's 11 teams open league play today with No. 20 Georgia (24-0-1) visiting No. 16 Alabama (15-9) as a marquee series. Arkansas (15-6) visits No. 24 South Carolina (13-6), while Tennessee (21-7-1) entertains Ole Miss (11-5).
"The real fun begins because its going to be a dogfight," Girouard said of SEC play. "Anyone can get beat on any given day. Everyone gears up for SEC play. Last year we were lucky to win two at Florida and they've played some good competition this year.
"In the last three weeks we've kind of stepped back and looked at the whole process," Girouard added. "We don't talk about (site of the Women's College World Series) Oklahoma City. We talk about getting one percent better in any one way."
NOTE: Approximately 30 players from LSU's first three softball teams (1979-82) will be honored prior to Sunday's game as part of "Retro Weekend."
