University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
All-American Duo Represent Louisiana on USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List
1/30/2020 3:35:00 PM | Softball
@RaginCajunsSB’s Summer Ellyson and Megan Kleist selected for the prestigious honor
LAFAYETTE – No. 8 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball's All-American pitching tandem, consisting of seniors Summer Ellyson and Megan Kleist, is featured on the 2020 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List.
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Ellyson and Kleist, set to steer the Ragin' Cajuns' efforts in the circle, are among the 50 student-athletes on the preseason watch list.
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Ellyson is the reigning Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year and was the nation's leader in victories in 2019, while Kleist was the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year and a first team All-American at Oregon prior to transferring to Louisiana.
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It's additional preseason recognition of the duo, who were both chosen to represent Louisiana on the 2020 Preseason All-Sun Belt team.
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The Top 25 finalists for the 2020 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced April 22. While an athlete does not have to be on the Watch List to be considered for the Top 25, the eventual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will come from the top 25 finalists. The Top 10 finalists will be announced May 6 and the Top 3 announced May 20. The 2020 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be revealed May 26.
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Ellyson makes her initial appearance on the Watch List. Kleist makes a returning appearance, last being a Top 10 finalist for the award back in 2018.
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The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award enters its 18th season and recognizes outstanding athletic achievement by Division I female collegiate softball players across the country. Recent recipients of the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, the most prestigious individual honor in NCAA Division I Softball, are Michigan's Sierra Romero (2016), Florida's Kelly Barnhill (2017) and UCLA's Rachel Garcia (2018 and 2019).Â
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.
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THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!
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).
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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.
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The Ragin' Cajuns are scheduled to play 28 games at Lamson Park, highlighted by a visit from Louisiana State on Feb. 15 and Sun Belt Conference series with rivals Texas State and South Alabama.
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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.
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Ellyson and Kleist, set to steer the Ragin' Cajuns' efforts in the circle, are among the 50 student-athletes on the preseason watch list.
Â
Ellyson is the reigning Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year and was the nation's leader in victories in 2019, while Kleist was the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year and a first team All-American at Oregon prior to transferring to Louisiana.
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Â?? ?????????????????? pitching duo among the select few on @USASoftball radar for top award! ??????
— Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns® Softball (@RaginCajunsSB) January 30, 2020
?? https://t.co/MkdRTNyRn6#GeauxCajuns ?? pic.twitter.com/frVejK1Acj
It's additional preseason recognition of the duo, who were both chosen to represent Louisiana on the 2020 Preseason All-Sun Belt team.
Â
The Top 25 finalists for the 2020 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced April 22. While an athlete does not have to be on the Watch List to be considered for the Top 25, the eventual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will come from the top 25 finalists. The Top 10 finalists will be announced May 6 and the Top 3 announced May 20. The 2020 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be revealed May 26.
Â
Ellyson makes her initial appearance on the Watch List. Kleist makes a returning appearance, last being a Top 10 finalist for the award back in 2018.
Â
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award enters its 18th season and recognizes outstanding athletic achievement by Division I female collegiate softball players across the country. Recent recipients of the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, the most prestigious individual honor in NCAA Division I Softball, are Michigan's Sierra Romero (2016), Florida's Kelly Barnhill (2017) and UCLA's Rachel Garcia (2018 and 2019).Â
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.
Â
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!
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).
Â
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.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns are scheduled to play 28 games at Lamson Park, highlighted by a visit from Louisiana State on Feb. 15 and Sun Belt Conference series with rivals Texas State and South Alabama.
Â
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.
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- www.RaginCajuns.com -
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