Softball Kicks off 2012 Season This Weekend

Game Notes

Click here for complete tournament coverage.

26^th Annual Louisiana Classic
Dates: Friday-Sunday, Feb. 10-12
Location: Lafayette, La.
Site: Lamson Park (2,790)
Radio: ESPN 1420 (KPEL)
Live Stats: www.ragincajuns.com
Opponents: Rutgers, Mississippi Valley State, Tulsa

Kick off a New Season: Louisiana begins its 32^nd season and 12^th under the direction of co-head coaches Stefni and Michael Lotief. Under the guidance of the Lotief's the Ragin' Cajuns have won 10 of the past 11 Sun Belt Conference regular season championships and posted 50-plus victories seven times.

Offensive Juggernaut: The Cajuns lost only one senior from the 2011 squad in Gabriele Bridges. Louisiana has virtually the same squad intact in 2012 that finished the 2011 season as the nation's top offense with a school and Sun Belt record 481 runs, giving them an average of 7.76 runs per game. The Cajuns' 481 runs scored last season mark the 10th highest single-season total in NCAA history.

Cajuns in the National Spotlight: UL opens the year ranked 23/24 nationally and were picked to win the Sun Belt for the 11^th time by the coaches.

Familiar Foes: Louisiana has played each team in the Classic at least once in their history. The squad is 1-0 all-time against Rutgers, 5-0 vs. Mississippi Valley State and 5-2 against Tulsa.

Cajuns Recognized on Preseason Team: Christi Orgeron, who became just the fourth player in NCAA history with 100 RBI in 2011, nabbed preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year Award. Senior outfielder Katie Smith and junior shortstop Nerissa Myers joined Orgeron on the SBC preseason team.

Cajuns in Openers: Louisiana is 28-3 all-time in season openers. Under the Lotief's , the Ragin' Cajuns are 10-1 in season openers. UL's all-time record in home openers is 25-2.

Protecting the House: Since opening in 1985, The Cajuns have dominated their opposition at Lamson Park. The squad is 609-93 (.868) all-time at home and 243-31 (.887) under the Lotief's.

Fifth Year Experience: Louisiana begins the 2012 campaign with five players entering their fifth season as a member of the Ragin' Cajuns softball team. Ashley Brignac, Paige Cormier, Megan Granger, Christi Orgeron, and Katie Smith were all members of the 2008 team that made a trip to the World Series.

New Faces in Town: UL presents 12 newcomers for the 2012 season, including 10 freshmen and two transfers. Columbia University transfer, Prophet Gaspard, and freshmen Jordan Wallace (0.00 ERA in the Fall) and Maggie Ham look to give the Cajuns depth in the pitching rotation. University of Arizona transfer, Matte Haack will likely get some looks at first base this year.

Stealing isn't a Crime: Katie Smith is fourth all-time with 68 stolen bases and needs to swipe eight bags to pass Vanessa Chapman for third in the record books. Erikka Murphy is 61-for-62 in her career in stolen bases.

Postseason on Tap?: In 2011, Louisiana made its 13th straight NCAA Regionals appearance since 1999 and the 21st in the last 22 years. Since 1990, UL has missed the “Field of 64” only once (1998).

-- Ragin' Cajuns --

Softball Kicks off 2012 Season This Weekend

Next Event

Footer

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics