University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics

Friday, February 7
Lafayette
5:05 p.m.

Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns

vs

Ball State

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Hudek vs. Troy 3.16.19

Louisiana Softball Set to Embark on its 2020 Campaign

2/6/2020 6:37:00 PM | Softball

@RaginCajunsSB takes the field Feb. 7-8 at Lamson Park in the Louisiana Classics

No. 8 Louisiana (0-0) hosts 34th Annual Louisiana Classics
Dates: Friday-Saturday, Feb. 7-8, 2020
Location: Lafayette, La.
Stadium: Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park
Louisiana's Schedule:
            Fri., Feb. 7 – Ball State, 4 p.m. (CST)
            Fri., Feb. 7 – UTSA, 6 p.m. (CST)
            Sat., Feb. 8 – North Texas, 2 p.m. (CST)
            Sat., Feb. 8 – UTSA, 4 p.m. (CST)
 
MEDIA INFORMATION
Tournament Central
Streaming Video: RaginCajuns.com/Watch
Radio: ESPN 1420-AM
Live Stats: CajunStats.com
Twitter Updates: @RaginCajunsSB
 
SETTING THE SCENE
The 8th-ranked Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball squad officially opens the 2020 season, its third season under the leadership of Gerry Glasco, at home hosting the 34th Annual Louisiana Classics Friday-Saturday, Feb. 7-8 at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park.
 
The Ragin' Cajuns (52-6, 25-0 Sun Belt in 2019) are scheduled to play four games during the weekend event, partaking in doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday.
 
Louisiana starts off the tournament on Friday at 4 p.m. facing Ball State immediately followed by a matchup with UTSA. On Saturday, the Ragin' Cajuns are scheduled to meet North Texas at 2 p.m. before concluding the opening weekend with another contest against UTSA.
 
The Louisiana Classics kicks off a season-opening, eight-game homestand for the Ragin' Cajuns which concludes with a meeting with Louisiana State on Saturday, Feb. 15.
 
A consensus Top 10 choice in the preseason national polls, Louisiana is set to embark on the 40th season in program history.
 
QUICK HITS
  • The Ragin' Cajuns are preseason ranked in the Top 10 for the sixth time since 2000. Sitting at No. 8 in the D1Softball and Softball America polls, it's the highest preseason nod since 2009.
  • Louisiana embarks on the third season of the Gerry Glasco era. In his first two seasons with the program, Glasco led the Ragin' Cajuns to a pair of 40-plus win seasons, including the first 50-win campaign since 2012, and an appearance in the NCAA Regional finals.
  • With the return of five position starters who all made key contributions last season, the pairing of All-Americans Summer Ellyson and Megan Kleist in the circle, plus the addition of key transfers, the Ragin' Cajuns are armed with possibly one of the deepest rosters in program history.
  • Louisiana is fortunate to possess two pitchers who have been staff "aces" on their squads. Summer Ellyson, the Ragin' Cajuns star the past two seasons, and Megan Kleist, who led the charge of Oregon in 2017 and 2018, are set to steer the squad in 2020.
  • Louisiana returns an All-American (Summer Ellyson), four NFCA All-Region selections (Ellyson, Alissa Dalton, Sarah Hudek, Julie Rawls) and six All-Sun Belt Conference performers from its 50-win campaign in 2019.
  • The Ragin' Cajuns top three home run hitters are back: Sarah Hudek (11), Julie Rawls (10) and Raina O'Neal (10). They'll lead the charge as Louisiana continue to seek to increase both its offensive and power numbers production.
  • Defense wins championships, and in the infield Louisiana returns two of its best. Shortstop Alissa Dalton, who has collected 100-plus assists the past two seasons, and catcher Julie Rawls, who controlled the run game last season are set give the Ragin' Cajuns an edge once more. Transfer Kaitlyn Alderink, expected to be at second base, adds additional experience.
  • During the fall and spring preseason practice period, the coaching staff was able to identify as many as 13 hitters who will provide flexibility in the lineup, giving the staff up to as many as three options depending on matchups.
  • Paced by single-season steals record setter Keeli Milligan (60 stolen bases), the Ragin' Cajuns impacted the game several times through speed in 2019. While not expected to rely as heavily on the stolen base in 2020, Louisiana will still be fast enough to take the extra base on balls through the gap and in hit-and-run situations.
  • Returners Bailey Curry and Carrie Boswell showed vast improvements offensively during the fall practice period, as well as freshman Taylor Roman. Their swings could make key impacts in 2020.
  • A schedule, which features 14 games against teams with a Top 25 RPI last season, was designed with a purpose: head coach Gerry Glasco wanted to give his squad an opportunity to possess one of the top strength of schedule ratings – one of the key factors in the seeding process for the NCAA Tournament (specifically host sites).
  • A new upgrade makes its debut at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park in the 2020 season, as a state-of-the-art video board system was installed. Now fans will be able to enjoy team introduction videos, replays, higher-quality graphics and much more.
 
UP NEXT
No. 8 Louisiana plays the first of four contests during the week, which round out the season-opening homestand, welcoming Lamar to Lamson Park on Tuesday, Feb. 11 for a 6 p.m. contest.
 
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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Ball State
W, 3-2

Feb 7 (Fri)

5:05 p.m.
Box ScoreRecapBox Score (PDF)WatchListenPreviewLive stats
Full Schedule

Players Mentioned

17

Bailey Curry

1B/DP
/ Softball
22

Alissa Dalton

SS
/ Softball
9

Summer Ellyson

P
/ Softball
35

Sarah Hudek

OF
/ Softball
11

Megan Kleist

P
/ Softball
4

Keeli Milligan

OF
/ Softball
2

Raina O'Neal

OF
/ Softball
23

Julie Rawls

C/OF
/ Softball
8

Taylor Roman

OF
/ Softball

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