Ragin' Cajuns Softball 2016 Preview: Infielders

LAFAYETTE – It's not often that a softball team returns all of the starters in its infield alignment from the previous season, especially the majority with two-plus years of experience at their position. The 11th-ranked Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball team has that luxury entering the 2016 season.

Lexie Elkins (catcher), Kelsey Vincent (first base), Haley Hayden (second base), Samantha Walsh (third base) and DJ Sanders (shortstop) each started all of the Ragin' Cajuns' 54 games in 2015. All of them return this season.

The group provided a strong presence in 2015, committing only 26 errors over a combined 1,041 chances. It will be reassuring for the Cajuns' current pitching staff – which will see returning pitchers called upon to step into greater roles than the season before – to know that not all of the outs will be laid upon their shoulders.

"Good defense is about communication, trust and knowing each other's roles and responsibilities," Louisiana softball head coach Michael Lotief said. "Kelsey is the anchor, making sure we are all on the same page; Haley is the spark plug, always bringing energy and intensity; and Lexie is a rock behind the plate.

"And with DJ having a year under her belt, the unit will bring confidence and trust to our pitching staff by competing together."

Elkins is set for her third season behind the plate, having started at catcher in 2014 and 2015. Widely known for her bat, she also delivered a solid defensive performance last season. The Victoria, Texas, native posted 25 assists, aided in three double plays and allowed only three passed balls. Those efforts landed her NFCA/Diamond Sports Division I Catcher of the Year honors.

One of the nation's top power hitters and a two-time All-American, Elkins generated a program-record 32 home runs during the 2015 campaign, which led all levels of collegiate softball. She also led the nation in RBI per game (1.54) and set a new program record for slugging percentage at 1.077.

Elkins is the preseason favorite to be named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year – which would make her the first player in school and SBC history to win the award three times – and was recently named to the "Watch List" for the USA Softball Player of the Year award.

"Lexie has distinguished herself as the best amateur catcher in our game and the most potent power hitter," Lotief remarked. "It's been fun to watch her continue to grow and develop, and now lead."

Miranda Grotenhuis and Allie Medlin will backup Elkins, occasionally subbing in defensively, but Elkins is expected to work the bulk of the innings. Brittany Nollkamper, expected to redshirt provided Elkins remains injury-free, is being groomed to take over in 2017.

Vincent is also entering her third season starting at her position. A first team All-Sun Belt pick in 2015, she led all of the league's first basemen in home runs (18) and slugging percentage (.755). She will seek to build off last season's strong finish which saw her hit 13 home runs in SBC play and crank two home runs in the Auburn Super Regional.

Corin Voinche, who missed all of 2015 with a knee injury, is working at first base and could be used as a defensive sub if Vincent's been pinch run for twice. Voinche is also a candidate to fill the designated player role.

Hayden debuted at the second base in 2015 after starting her collegiate career in center field. She committed only four errors over 91 chances in her first season at the position.

A prime candidate to serve as leadoff hitter once again, Hayden reached base safely in 50 of 54 games a year ago, which included a streak of 28 straight games. The two-time, first team All-Sun Belt pick has been the Cajuns most consistent bat also, reaching 60 runs, 60 hits and 50 RBI each of the past two seasons.

Sanders took over for Voinche (injured) at shortstop in 2015 and immediately cemented herself as a fixture. She is coming off a debut campaign that saw her lead all Sun Belt Conference shortstops in fewest errors with only eight in 157 chances (had only one error through first 30 games).

Sanders had the opportunity to continue to grow over the summer months as she competed internationally with the U.S. Junior National Team in the World Cup of Softball and Junior Women's World Championship.

"Her biggest area of growth will be how she competes mentally," Lotief said. "She feels more comfortable in our system and with her teammates, is more vocal and is letting her personality contribute instead of waiting to be told what to do.

"Offensively, she has made huge gains and the more live at bats and game experience she gets the better she will become," Lotief added. "She is very athletic, smart, competitive and works extremely hard to be the best…that will allow her to compete at shortstop against the best teams in the country."

Meagan Thomas can be used as a defensive sub at second base and shortstop. The senior from New Iberia, who may also see time at designated player, set a personal best for stolen bases and reached 20 runs for the second straight season in 2015.

Walsh is joined at third base by freshman Kara Gremillion. Walsh enjoyed career-highs in home runs (14) and RBI (46) last season. She played error-free for three different stretches of 10-plus games and committed only eight errors over 113 chances while producing 70 assists.

Gremillion, who is a natural shortstop, was the 2015 Gatorade Louisiana Softball Player of the Year. Her high school career numbers include: .528 batting average, 17 home runs, 12 triples, 49 doubles, 119 RBIs and 70 stolen bases in 73 attempts.

She is the is the third member of her family to play for the Ragin' Cajuns softball program, joining her aunts Stacie Gremillion (1984-87) and Sandy Percle (1983-86).

"Kara is quiet and unassuming, but underneath is a fierce competitor," Lotief noted. "She has great hand-eye, quick reflexes and recognition – she is very smart and a student of the game.

"She comes from a softball family," Lotief continued. "Her mother coached her for a number of years, so she has been schooled in the details of the game and understands that the little things matter. The game is not too fast for her because her mind anticipates the action."

The 11th-ranked Ragin' Cajuns start the 2016 season Feb. 12-14 at the Sand Dollar Classic in Gulf Shores, Ala., then make their Lamson Park debut in the Louisiana Classics Feb. 19-21, beginning the tournament with a 2 p.m., doubleheader against Oregon on Feb. 19.

For more information on Ragin' Cajuns softball, fans can follow along with the team on Facebook (/RaginCajunSoftball) and Twitter (@RaginCajunSB).

#GeauxCajuns

Players Mentioned

Lexie Elkins

Kara Gremillion

Miranda Grotenhuis

Haley Hayden

Allie Medlin

Brittany Nollkamper

DJ Sanders

Meagan Thomas

Kelsey Vincent

Samantha Walsh