University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Ragin' Cajuns Land Inside Top 10 of D1Softball Preseason Rankings
1/21/2020 10:30:00 AM | Softball
Louisiana Listed at No. 8 in the organization's inaugural poll
LAFAYETTE - The first of the preseason rankings for the 2020 collegiate softball season were unveiled on Tuesday, starting with the inaugural D1Softball Preseason Top 25 which voted Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball inside the Top 10.
The Ragin' Cajuns (52-6, 25-0 Sun Belt in 2019) were listed at No. 8 in the poll. The 2020 preseason poll is the inaugural set of rankings for D1Softball, which launched leading into this season.
The D1 Softball Top 25 rankings are compiled by polling 10 sportswriters, broadcasters, analysts and coaches from across the nation. The poll is headlined by lead writers Rhiannon Potkey and Tara Henry. Six of Louisiana's opponents were included in the listing - all inside the Top 15 led by top-ranked Alabama.
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It's the 17th consecutive season in which Louisiana will be preseason ranked entering the season. The program has been preseason ranked by the NFCA each year since 2004, and listed in every edition of the ESPN.com/USA Softball preseason poll which began in 2006.
The Ragin' Cajuns, entering year three under the leadership of head coach Gerry Glasco, seek to build upon one of the program's most successful seasons. The 2019 squad swept the Sun Belt regular season and tournament championships, turned in only the second undefeated Sun Belt mark in conference history (25-0), boasted a Top 10 national ranking, earned the program's 21st consecutive NCAA Tournament bid and recorded the first 50-win campaign since 2012.
The Ragin' Cajuns list of returning position players is highlighted by 2019 Sun Belt Player of the Year Alissa Dalton and 2019 Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year Sarah Hudek, plus two of the team's top home run hitters in Raina O'Neal and Julie Rawls who generated 10 apiece last season.
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In the circle, reigning Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year and All-American Summer Ellyson (39-6, 1.11 ERA in 2019), who led all levels of collegiate softball in victories a year ago, will carry the torch once again. She will be joined by another All-American in Megan Kleist, the former Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year and Freshman of the Year, who is one of several incoming transfers expected to make an impact.
Louisiana is set to begin the highly anticipated 2020 season on Friday, Feb. 7 at Lamson Park, opening play in the 34th Annual Louisiana Classics against Ball State at 4 p.m. and UTSA at 6 p.m. It's the start of a season-opening, eight-game homestand which concludes with a meeting with Louisiana State on Saturday, Feb. 15 (the Tigers first visit since 2001).
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets, beginning at $101 for outfield seating, are currently on sale and can be purchased by phone at (337) 265-2170, online at RaginCajuns.com using Account Manager, or by visiting the Cajundome Box Office in-person Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and extended hours during Ragin' Cajuns basketball events.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Facebook (/RaginCajunsSB), Twitter (@RaginCajunsSB) and Instagram (@Louisiana.SB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Softball.
-- RaginCajuns.com --
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The Ragin' Cajuns (52-6, 25-0 Sun Belt in 2019) were listed at No. 8 in the poll. The 2020 preseason poll is the inaugural set of rankings for D1Softball, which launched leading into this season.
The D1 Softball Top 25 rankings are compiled by polling 10 sportswriters, broadcasters, analysts and coaches from across the nation. The poll is headlined by lead writers Rhiannon Potkey and Tara Henry. Six of Louisiana's opponents were included in the listing - all inside the Top 15 led by top-ranked Alabama.
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?? The first poll is in:
— Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns® Softball (@RaginCajunsSB) January 22, 2020
?????????????????? stands at No. 8?? in @D1Softball's preseason rankings.
?? https://t.co/5rmmiSxtIo#GeauxCajuns ?? pic.twitter.com/Vb6iinDVa1
It's the 17th consecutive season in which Louisiana will be preseason ranked entering the season. The program has been preseason ranked by the NFCA each year since 2004, and listed in every edition of the ESPN.com/USA Softball preseason poll which began in 2006.
The Ragin' Cajuns, entering year three under the leadership of head coach Gerry Glasco, seek to build upon one of the program's most successful seasons. The 2019 squad swept the Sun Belt regular season and tournament championships, turned in only the second undefeated Sun Belt mark in conference history (25-0), boasted a Top 10 national ranking, earned the program's 21st consecutive NCAA Tournament bid and recorded the first 50-win campaign since 2012.
The Ragin' Cajuns list of returning position players is highlighted by 2019 Sun Belt Player of the Year Alissa Dalton and 2019 Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year Sarah Hudek, plus two of the team's top home run hitters in Raina O'Neal and Julie Rawls who generated 10 apiece last season.
Â
In the circle, reigning Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year and All-American Summer Ellyson (39-6, 1.11 ERA in 2019), who led all levels of collegiate softball in victories a year ago, will carry the torch once again. She will be joined by another All-American in Megan Kleist, the former Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year and Freshman of the Year, who is one of several incoming transfers expected to make an impact.
Louisiana is set to begin the highly anticipated 2020 season on Friday, Feb. 7 at Lamson Park, opening play in the 34th Annual Louisiana Classics against Ball State at 4 p.m. and UTSA at 6 p.m. It's the start of a season-opening, eight-game homestand which concludes with a meeting with Louisiana State on Saturday, Feb. 15 (the Tigers first visit since 2001).
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets, beginning at $101 for outfield seating, are currently on sale and can be purchased by phone at (337) 265-2170, online at RaginCajuns.com using Account Manager, or by visiting the Cajundome Box Office in-person Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and extended hours during Ragin' Cajuns basketball events.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Facebook (/RaginCajunsSB), Twitter (@RaginCajunsSB) and Instagram (@Louisiana.SB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Softball.
-- RaginCajuns.com --
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