University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Softball Looks to Add to Tradition in 2011
2/9/2011 4:19:00 PM | Softball
There's plenty of excitement in the air as the 2011 season approaches for the perennially ranked Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns softball team.
Fans will be treated to a freshly renovated Lamson Park, which when complete will allow the 2011 Ragin' Cajuns to call their home one of the finest collegiate softball facilities in the nation. The facility is set to host two in-season tournaments plus the 2011 Sun Belt Conference Tournament (May 11-14) which will be the showcase event of the season.
It has been a tradition of success that has helped build the new Lamson Park.
The Cajuns have advanced to NCAA postseason play in each of the past 12 seasons, the 11th longest streak in the nation, and in 20 of the last 21 seasons.
However, it isn't just the surroundings that will look different for the Cajuns in 2011. Co-head coaches Stefni and Michael Lotief will debut several new faces on the field as they look to build upon the legacy left behind by the seven seniors from last season's squad (one WCWS and two Super Regional berths).
Fans will recognize some faces including the lone senior on the 2011 squad, Gabriele Bridges, and redshirt juniors Ashley Brignac and Christi Orgeron.
Bridges and Orgeron will pace a potent offensive attack for UL that features a great mix of power and slap hitters. Bridges and Orgeron have combined for 69 career home runs and will team up with the likes of Taryn Broussard, Megan Granger and Sarah Draheim to provide the power for the Cajuns' offense.
A few speedsters will set the tone for Louisiana including junior Erikka Murphy. Murphy hit .315 a year ago and was 33-for-34 in the stolen bases category.
The Cajuns will also welcome the return of Katie Smith who was lost early in 2010 due to injury. The junior slapper boasts a .378 career batting average and has swiped 48-of-52 bases in two-plus seasons as a Cajun. Speedy sophomore Nerissa Myers will return to man her shortstop position and provide a great mix of offense and defense for UL as well.
The pitching rotation for UL will also feature a proven commodity and a mix of new faces.
Brignac returns after missing all of 2010 due to injury. The junior right-hander was sensational in 2008, leading the Cajuns to a Women's College World Series berth, going 31-7 with 327strikeouts in her freshman campaign. She was equally impressive in 2009, posting a 0.44 ERA and striking out 107 batters in just 79.0 innings of work.
Brignac will be joined in the circle by sophomore Paige Cavallin and freshmen hurlers such as Allie Chenault, Christina Hamilton and Shelbee Rodgers, all of whom will compete to see who will join Brignac to form a formidable rotation which will help the Cajuns continue their dominance in the circle.
The 2011 season marks the 11th campaign under the direction of co-head coaches Stefni and Michael Lotief and it starts Feb. 11-13 with the Louisiana Classics at Lamson Park. UL will be at home the next weekend, hosting the Ragin' Cajuns Invitational Feb. 18-20.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
