An hour after throwing batting practice under Tuesday's unforgiving heat, LSU assistant softball coach James DeFeo called over the entire 18-member squad into its dugout.
They huddled, unsuspecting of DeFeo's motive.
In the corner of the dugout was a nondescript brown box that had actually been there the entire time, unbeknownst to the team. They were obviously more focused on taking their cuts than some obscure package in the dugout.
Then DeFeo brought attention to it and slightly pulled back the top to reveal its contents.
Inside were new T-shirts that acknowledged their latest accomplishment -- a fourth consecutive overall Southeastern Conference championship.
Before DeFeo handed them out, or allowed any to be taken, he dangled another carrot in front of a team that merited such praise with 25 victories in 29 league games over the past two months of play.
But there is still plenty to accomplish on this day, on the eve of departing for the SEC Tournament in Chattanooga. There's another opportunity to get better, to improve and DeFeo didn't want to let the chance go by without reminding them of it.
"You have to go out and earn it," DeFeo said.
And the nation's third-ranked team and winners of 49 games in 58 tries promptly went back to work, honing some of the overlooked facets of the game, such as base running and executing rundowns.
Over and over, under the watchful eye of head coach Yvette Girouard, LSU worked on every minute detail in rundown drills until it was carried out correctly.
Girouard pointed out flaws and praised execution. There was a distinct difference in the tone she used four months ago and the one Tuesday.
"This is the time of year where if you get beat twice," Girouard said, "you're done. You go home for the summer and the kids know that."
LSU's collective demeanor represented that sense of urgency.
The Tigers realize that a return trip to the Women's College World Series is not a God-given right, although an attainable goal.
But there's plenty of work ahead for a club who's foundation has been built around the SEC's top pitching staff -- Britni Sneed and Kristin Schmidt -- and the league's best defense.
"Our goal at the beginning of the year was five runs a game and we didn't quite fulfill that," LSU center fielder Trena Peel said of the Tigers' offense that produced 4.5 runs per game. "But I think, one through nine, we have a powerhouse lineup to hit it out. We haven't all done it at one time. But we've had weekends where different people have stepped up."
LSU's power numbers have fallen beyond liking of Girouard, who is partial to players who hit the long ball. The Tigers have hit 26 home runs compared to 41 a year ago.
Yet, LSU has been shut out only three times this season and in a remarkable show of consistency, have never lost more than two games in a row.
The Tigers have flourished with a season-high 16-game winning streak -- third longest in school history -- and winning streaks of 10 and 9 games, respectively.
The biggest component concerning LSU's offense in recent months has been the Tigers' inability to drive in runners in scoring position.
LSU's batting .286, or right at its season average, with runners on base, which dips significantly to .246 in 65 attempts with the bases loaded.
Then came Saturday's explosion when LSU piled up 22 hits, three of which were home runs, in a regular-season finale against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
"I just feel like we're going to hit," LSU first baseman Christy Connor said. "I just have a good feeling. I feel good as a whole that we're hitting well and are very confident."
Girouard senses a similar feeling.
"It's all about confidence and you can see that look in their eye," she said. "It hasn't been a physical thing, it's been more mental. But I'm starting to feel good about it."
This week's SEC Tournament should be a prelude to the May 16-19 NCAA Regionals and give a good indication to LSU's immediate future.
The Tigers' strengths should remain pitching and defense.
Ultimately, LSU's fate will boil down to clutch hitting, the ability to take advantage of scoring opportunities -- like World Series-caliber teams find a way to do.
"Great pitching and defense, and timely hitting," Girourard said. "It always comes down to that. We have to be on top of our game from here on in."
