Softball to Open 2013 Season in Houston

Contact: Nick Ross

Game Notes

Date: February 9-10
Location: Houston, Texas
Site: Cougar Softball Stadium
Radio: ESPN 1420 (KPEL)
Live Stats: www.ragincajuns.com
Opponents: Lipscomb (2-0, 0-0 Atlantic Sun), Iowa (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
Time: 4:30 P.M Saturday (Lipscomb), 7:00 P.M. Saturday & 11:30 A.M. Sunday (Iowa)

LIPSCOMB BISONS: Louisiana has faced Lipscomb just one other time in history, defeating them by a score of 4-2 in 2009 at the 23rd Louisiana Classics. The Bisons finished 35-20 overall and 11-7 in Atlantic Sun play, finishing fourth in the conference. They are led by senior second baseman Kelsey Cartwright, a preseason first team All-Atlantic Sun selection.

IOWA HAWKEYES: The Ragin' Cajuns will be facing the Iowa Hawkeyes for the third time ever, and hold the series lead of two games to one. The last meeting between the two teams was in 2000, when the Cajuns topped the then 14th ranked Hawkeyes, 5-4. The Hawkeyes finished last season 27-26, and went 16-8 in Big Ten play. They are led by junior pitcher Kayla Massey and sophomore infielder Megan Blank, both were preseason All-Big Ten selections.

CHANGES AT THE HELM: For the first time in 13 years, the Cajuns will start the season without a Lotief as head coach. Stefni and Michael Lotief held duties as co-head coaches for the past 10 seasons, both stepped down before the start of the 2013 season. They will be replaced by Megan Granger (Louisiana, 2012) as interim head coach. Granger is no stranger to the Ragin' Cajun ways, and saw the team post a 192-48 record in her four seasons with the team.

HOW DO THEY RANK? Louisiana starts the season ranked 11th in both the USA Today/NFCA Coaches and the ESPN.com/USA Softball polls. The Ragin' Cajuns were also the unanimous selection to win the Sun Belt in the SBC preseason coaches poll.

OPENING THE SEASON: Louisiana is 29-3 all-time in season openers. This is the first time Louisiana has opened the season on the road since 2008 when they defeated La.-Monroe and swept a two game set with Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La.

DEFENDING CHAMPS: Louisiana will attempt to defend their throne at the top of the Sun Belt Conference regular season standings, a spot they have held in 11 of the past 12 seasons, and five straight. They will also attempt to extend a streak of 14 straight NCAA Regional tournament berths.

ALL SUN BELT: Six Cajun's were named to the preseason All-Sun Belt Conference team earlier this month, the most of any team in the conference. Nerissa Myers, Brianna Cherry, Matte Haack and Sarah Draheim were among the seniors on the team, along with junior Natalie Fernandez and sophomore pitcher Jordan Wallace. Myers and Wallace were both named preseason Player and Pitcher of the year, respectively.

Softball to Open 2013 Season in Houston

Next Event

Footer

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics