University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, February 7
Lamson Park
2 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
vs
Northern Iowa
Softball Opens Season with 28th Annual Louisiana Classics
2/6/2014 7:45:00 PM | Softball
28th Annual Louisiana Classics
Date: Feb. 7-9
Location: Lafayette, La.
Site: Lamson Park
Radio: ESPN 1420
Live Stream:Â www.RaginCajuns.com
Times
Friday
2 p.m. vs UNI
4:30 p.m. vs Texas
Saturday
2 p.m. vs UNC
4:30 p.m. vs Texas
Sunday
11:30 a.m. vs UNI
Contact: Nick Ross
Game Notes
What's on Tap? The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball team opens their 2014 schedule by hosting the 28th Annual Louisiana Classics at Lamson Park. The Cajuns open the weekend with their first of two games against Northern Iowa on Friday at 2 p.m., followed directly by their first of two games with #7 Texas at 4:30 p.m.. The Cajuns will return to the park on Saturday, for back-to-back games at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. as well, North Carolina at 2 p.m. and Texas again at 4:30 p.m.. They finish up their weekend with a second game against Northern Iowa on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
2013 in Review: The Cajuns finished the 2014 season with a record of 47-15, winning 40+ games for the 15th consecutive season to continue a history of success for Louisiana softball. They also reached the NCAA Regionals for the 15th consecutive and 23rd overall time, before ultimately falling in the NCAA Super Regionals to Michigan. The Cajuns season started hot, before some struggles in the middle portion, rebounding to win 23 consecutive games to finish the regular season. Jordan Wallace was sensational in the circle, winning 32 games and striking out 382 batters, the second most in a season in Louisiana, and winning the fifth most games in a season.
Tournament Schedule: The 2014 Louisiana Classics feature five teams, two of which are ranked in the top-25 and one receiving votes in both major polls. The tournament features 11 games with five games for the Ragin' Cajuns, all at Lamson Park.
Friday
9:00 a.m. Â Â Â Northern Iowa vs North Carolina
11:30 a.m.   #7 Texas vs. North Carolina
2:00 p.m.   #13 Louisiana vs Northern Iowa
4:30 p.m.   #13 Louisiana vs. #7 Texas
Saturday
9:00 a.m. Â Â Â North Carolina vs. Purdue
11:30 a.m.   Northern Iowa vs. Purdue
2:00 p.m.   #13 Louisiana vs. North Carolina
4:30 p.m.   #13 Louisiana vs #7 Texas
7:00 p.m.   #7 Texas vs Northern Iowa
Sunday
9:00 a.m.   #7 Texas vs. Purdue
11:30 a.m.   #13 Louisiana vs. Northern Iowa
Preseason All-Sun Belt: The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball team was selected to finish first in the Sun Belt Conference and junior pitcher Jordan Wallace was named the Preseason Pitcher of the Year by a vote of the leagues coaches. Wallace was joined by sophomore Shellie Landry (Outfield) and Sara Corbello (Designated Player) on the Preseason All-Sun Belt team, tying the Cajuns for most players selected with three.
Guess Who's Back? The Cajuns return five starters from the 2013 Super Regional team, including senior Natalie Fernandez and junior pitcher Jordan Wallace. Fernandez started every game at third base in 2013, but will make the move over to second base in 2014, a position she played in high school and as a freshman at Louisiana. Wallace struck out 382 batters as a sophomore, the third most in the nation, and the most for any player with eligibility after the 2013 season. She was named the Sun Belt Preseason Pitcher of the Year for the second straight season, and was named first-team All-Sun Belt as a sophomore. Also returning is preseason all-Sun Belt selections Shellie Landry and Sara Corbello, along with Samantha Walsh, and Leandra Maly from last years starters.
...More About Wallace: Cajuns pitcher Jordan Wallace had an eventful summer, spending a week in Oklahoma City, Okla., trying out for Team USA. She was one of the youngest players at the tryout, which consisted of several NFP players and returning USA Stars. Â
WHO'S ON FIRST? Though they are returning five starters, several Cajuns will be starting in different positions from 2013. Natalie Fernandez will move to second base after starting 118 consecutive games at third base. Last season's starting second baseman, Samantha Walsh, will make the move over to shortstop to fill the vacancy left when Nerissa Myers graduated, and last season's back-up first baseman, Kelsey Vincent, will move to the hot corner and take over for Fernandez at third base. Finalizing the moves is Shelbi Redfearn, who will move from outfield to first base to start the season and shore up the infield positioning.
How Do they Rank? The Cajuns come into the season ranked 13th in the nation by the USA Today/NFCA Poll, and 15th in the ESPN/USA Softball Poll. They are the top ranked Sun Belt team in each, and open the season with 7th ranked Texas and North Carolina, a team who received votes in the poll, in the first weekend.
Going Streaking: Natalie Fernandez is currently riding a 118 game starting streak, dating back to her sophomore season. As the only four-year senior on the Ragin' Cajuns roster she has the most experience on the team, playing in 176 career games with 146 career starts.  Her 118 starting streak isn't her only streak, she also has 171 career hits and just one extra base hit, singling with her last 169 career hits, dating back to her fourth career game on Feb. 12, 2011 against Prairie View A&M. Her singles-only streak has spanned three seasons.
Changes in Lotief's Staff: Head coach Michael Lotief is back for his 12th season as a head coach with the Ragin' Cajuns and second season as the only head coach, after sharing co-head coaching duties with his wife Stefni Lotief (Whitton) for a decade. Lotief has added some new help in 2014. T.J. Hubbard has joined the staff as an Associate Head Coach after spending the last decade at North Texas and last six years as head coach of the Mean Green. Also joining the staff is Lisa Norris as an Assistant Coach, focusing mainly on the pitchers. Norris is an alumni of North Carolina and has spent the last three years, since graduating, playing for the Akron Racers in the NPF and coaching at Georgia Tech (2013), North Carolina State (2012) and Texas A&M Corpus Christi (2011). Last year's assistant coach Lana Bowers will remain with the program, moving in to a strength and conditioning and administrative role with the team. Another former catcher in Sarah Draheim will stay with the program after an All-American senior campaign as a Graduate Assistant with the program.
Family Affair: This year's freshman class features two younger sisters of former Ragin' Cajuns All-Americans in outfielder Kendall Smith and infielder Ciarra Cherry. Smith is the sister of outfielder Katie Smith (2008-12), and Cherry is the younger sister of outfielder Brianna Cherry (2009-13) and cousin of infielder Nerissa Myers (2009-13). Current Ragin' Cajuns outfielder Shellie Landry also has incoming family ties in her younger sister Jaime, a member of the 2014-15 Ragin' Cajuns freshman class that signed in the fall.
Joining the Krewe: The Cajuns will see a new look behind the plate in 2014 in sophomore transfer Lexie Elkins. Elkins joins the team after playing at Texas Tech in her freshman season, batting .282 (33-for-117) with eight doubles and 21 RBI. She joined Texas Tech in the spring, after graduating high school a semester early and competing as a 17-year old freshman and the youngest player in the Big 12.
Not a Walk in the Park: The Ragin' Cajuns don't have an easy schedule in 2014, with 21 games against teams that were either ranked or received votes in the initial USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll. The Cajuns face #7 Texas and North Carolina (RV) opening weekend in the 28th Annual Louisiana Classics, before taking on #5 Michigan in the Ragin' Cajuns Invite. The Cajuns will follow that up with a trip to Clearwater, Florida and the NFCA Leadoff Classic from Feb. 28-March 23, where they will take on #25 South Florida and Hofstra, another team who received votes.  They will also take on #18 three times throughout the season, and defending National Champion #2 Oklahoma in a three-game series at Lamson Park, March 14 & 15. The Cajuns are the top ranked Sun Belt team, with South Alabama coming in at #20 and WKU receiving votes in both major polls.
Date: Feb. 7-9
Location: Lafayette, La.
Site: Lamson Park
Radio: ESPN 1420
Live Stream:Â www.RaginCajuns.com
Times
Friday
2 p.m. vs UNI
4:30 p.m. vs Texas
Saturday
2 p.m. vs UNC
4:30 p.m. vs Texas
Sunday
11:30 a.m. vs UNI
Contact: Nick Ross
Game Notes
What's on Tap? The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball team opens their 2014 schedule by hosting the 28th Annual Louisiana Classics at Lamson Park. The Cajuns open the weekend with their first of two games against Northern Iowa on Friday at 2 p.m., followed directly by their first of two games with #7 Texas at 4:30 p.m.. The Cajuns will return to the park on Saturday, for back-to-back games at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. as well, North Carolina at 2 p.m. and Texas again at 4:30 p.m.. They finish up their weekend with a second game against Northern Iowa on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
2013 in Review: The Cajuns finished the 2014 season with a record of 47-15, winning 40+ games for the 15th consecutive season to continue a history of success for Louisiana softball. They also reached the NCAA Regionals for the 15th consecutive and 23rd overall time, before ultimately falling in the NCAA Super Regionals to Michigan. The Cajuns season started hot, before some struggles in the middle portion, rebounding to win 23 consecutive games to finish the regular season. Jordan Wallace was sensational in the circle, winning 32 games and striking out 382 batters, the second most in a season in Louisiana, and winning the fifth most games in a season.
Tournament Schedule: The 2014 Louisiana Classics feature five teams, two of which are ranked in the top-25 and one receiving votes in both major polls. The tournament features 11 games with five games for the Ragin' Cajuns, all at Lamson Park.
Friday
9:00 a.m. Â Â Â Northern Iowa vs North Carolina
11:30 a.m.   #7 Texas vs. North Carolina
2:00 p.m.   #13 Louisiana vs Northern Iowa
4:30 p.m.   #13 Louisiana vs. #7 Texas
Saturday
9:00 a.m. Â Â Â North Carolina vs. Purdue
11:30 a.m.   Northern Iowa vs. Purdue
2:00 p.m.   #13 Louisiana vs. North Carolina
4:30 p.m.   #13 Louisiana vs #7 Texas
7:00 p.m.   #7 Texas vs Northern Iowa
Sunday
9:00 a.m.   #7 Texas vs. Purdue
11:30 a.m.   #13 Louisiana vs. Northern Iowa
Preseason All-Sun Belt: The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball team was selected to finish first in the Sun Belt Conference and junior pitcher Jordan Wallace was named the Preseason Pitcher of the Year by a vote of the leagues coaches. Wallace was joined by sophomore Shellie Landry (Outfield) and Sara Corbello (Designated Player) on the Preseason All-Sun Belt team, tying the Cajuns for most players selected with three.
Guess Who's Back? The Cajuns return five starters from the 2013 Super Regional team, including senior Natalie Fernandez and junior pitcher Jordan Wallace. Fernandez started every game at third base in 2013, but will make the move over to second base in 2014, a position she played in high school and as a freshman at Louisiana. Wallace struck out 382 batters as a sophomore, the third most in the nation, and the most for any player with eligibility after the 2013 season. She was named the Sun Belt Preseason Pitcher of the Year for the second straight season, and was named first-team All-Sun Belt as a sophomore. Also returning is preseason all-Sun Belt selections Shellie Landry and Sara Corbello, along with Samantha Walsh, and Leandra Maly from last years starters.
...More About Wallace: Cajuns pitcher Jordan Wallace had an eventful summer, spending a week in Oklahoma City, Okla., trying out for Team USA. She was one of the youngest players at the tryout, which consisted of several NFP players and returning USA Stars. Â
WHO'S ON FIRST? Though they are returning five starters, several Cajuns will be starting in different positions from 2013. Natalie Fernandez will move to second base after starting 118 consecutive games at third base. Last season's starting second baseman, Samantha Walsh, will make the move over to shortstop to fill the vacancy left when Nerissa Myers graduated, and last season's back-up first baseman, Kelsey Vincent, will move to the hot corner and take over for Fernandez at third base. Finalizing the moves is Shelbi Redfearn, who will move from outfield to first base to start the season and shore up the infield positioning.
How Do they Rank? The Cajuns come into the season ranked 13th in the nation by the USA Today/NFCA Poll, and 15th in the ESPN/USA Softball Poll. They are the top ranked Sun Belt team in each, and open the season with 7th ranked Texas and North Carolina, a team who received votes in the poll, in the first weekend.
Going Streaking: Natalie Fernandez is currently riding a 118 game starting streak, dating back to her sophomore season. As the only four-year senior on the Ragin' Cajuns roster she has the most experience on the team, playing in 176 career games with 146 career starts.  Her 118 starting streak isn't her only streak, she also has 171 career hits and just one extra base hit, singling with her last 169 career hits, dating back to her fourth career game on Feb. 12, 2011 against Prairie View A&M. Her singles-only streak has spanned three seasons.
Changes in Lotief's Staff: Head coach Michael Lotief is back for his 12th season as a head coach with the Ragin' Cajuns and second season as the only head coach, after sharing co-head coaching duties with his wife Stefni Lotief (Whitton) for a decade. Lotief has added some new help in 2014. T.J. Hubbard has joined the staff as an Associate Head Coach after spending the last decade at North Texas and last six years as head coach of the Mean Green. Also joining the staff is Lisa Norris as an Assistant Coach, focusing mainly on the pitchers. Norris is an alumni of North Carolina and has spent the last three years, since graduating, playing for the Akron Racers in the NPF and coaching at Georgia Tech (2013), North Carolina State (2012) and Texas A&M Corpus Christi (2011). Last year's assistant coach Lana Bowers will remain with the program, moving in to a strength and conditioning and administrative role with the team. Another former catcher in Sarah Draheim will stay with the program after an All-American senior campaign as a Graduate Assistant with the program.
Family Affair: This year's freshman class features two younger sisters of former Ragin' Cajuns All-Americans in outfielder Kendall Smith and infielder Ciarra Cherry. Smith is the sister of outfielder Katie Smith (2008-12), and Cherry is the younger sister of outfielder Brianna Cherry (2009-13) and cousin of infielder Nerissa Myers (2009-13). Current Ragin' Cajuns outfielder Shellie Landry also has incoming family ties in her younger sister Jaime, a member of the 2014-15 Ragin' Cajuns freshman class that signed in the fall.
Joining the Krewe: The Cajuns will see a new look behind the plate in 2014 in sophomore transfer Lexie Elkins. Elkins joins the team after playing at Texas Tech in her freshman season, batting .282 (33-for-117) with eight doubles and 21 RBI. She joined Texas Tech in the spring, after graduating high school a semester early and competing as a 17-year old freshman and the youngest player in the Big 12.
Not a Walk in the Park: The Ragin' Cajuns don't have an easy schedule in 2014, with 21 games against teams that were either ranked or received votes in the initial USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll. The Cajuns face #7 Texas and North Carolina (RV) opening weekend in the 28th Annual Louisiana Classics, before taking on #5 Michigan in the Ragin' Cajuns Invite. The Cajuns will follow that up with a trip to Clearwater, Florida and the NFCA Leadoff Classic from Feb. 28-March 23, where they will take on #25 South Florida and Hofstra, another team who received votes.  They will also take on #18 three times throughout the season, and defending National Champion #2 Oklahoma in a three-game series at Lamson Park, March 14 & 15. The Cajuns are the top ranked Sun Belt team, with South Alabama coming in at #20 and WKU receiving votes in both major polls.
-- www.RaginCajuns.com --
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