University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, March 6
Memphis, Tenn.
1 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
at
Memphis
No. 12 Louisiana Softball Travels to Memphis for Three-Game Series
3/5/2021 2:29:00 PM | Softball
Program's first-ever trip to face the Tigers on the bluffs of the Mississippi River
No. 12 Louisiana (10-4) at Memphis (1-8)
Dates: Saturday-Sunday, March 6-7, 2021
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Stadium: Tiger Softball Complex
Series Schedule:
Sat., March 6 (DH) – 1 p.m. (CST)
Sun., March 7 – 12 p.m. (CST)
MEDIA INFORMATION
Game Notes (PDF): Louisiana
Season Stats (PDF): Louisiana | Memphis
Radio: ESPN-1420 AM | Talent: Steve Peloquin, PxP; Bobby Neveaux, analyst
Live Video: None
Live Stats: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
Twitter Updates: @RaginCajunsSB
LEADING OFF
>> Louisiana travels to Memphis, Tenn., for its first three-game series of the 2021 season. The Ragin' Cajuns and Tigers meet in a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, March 6 and again on Sunday, March 7 in a Noon single game.
>> It's the final non-conference weekend prior to the start of Sun Belt Conference play (March 13-14 vs. Georgia Southern at Lamson Park).
>> The Ragin' Cajuns make their first-ever trip to Memphis.
>> Louisiana competes on the road for an entire weekend for the first time since the Feb. 20-21 UAB Green and Gold Classic.
>> The Ragin' Cajuns are coming off a split of a pair of midweek games, rallying in the sixth inning for a 5-4 win at McNeese then succumbing to a six-run fifth inning in an 8-1 defeat vs. Baylor at Lamson Park.
>> Once the series in Memphis is complete, Louisiana will enjoy a five-day break before resuming play on Saturday, March 13 with Georgia Southern in the 2021 Sun Belt Conference opener.
THIS 'N THAT
>> Wednesday's win at McNeese halted a brief two-game losing streak. Since taking over the program in 2018, Gerry Glasco's Ragin' Cajuns have never lost more than two straight.
>> Ciara Bryan carries a season-best, seven-game hitting streak into the Memphis series – the longest streak by a Ragin' Cajun this season.
>> The Ragin' Cajuns have excelled in two-out situations this week, turning in a combined 14-for-28 effort against McNeese and Baylor.
>> It was four consecutive two-out hits in the sixth inning that lifted Louisiana to the 5-4 win at McNeese.
>> Jade Gortarez enters the Memphis series coming off back-to-back multiple hit games. Gortarez hit .571 (4-for-7) vs. McNeese and Baylor.
>> Louisiana's readjusted lineup – due to injuries to Raina O'Neal and Taylor Roman – debuted last Friday and over five games produced a .324 average and 35 runs. It also produced faster starts, with 24 of the 35 runs coming in the first three innings.
>> Kandra Lamb set (or tied) her season-high for strikeouts three times last week, highlighted by 10 strikeouts against No. 8 Oklahoma State – the most recorded by an opposing pitcher off the Cowgirls' offense.
>> Justice Milz tallied at least one RBI in all but one of the eight contests a week ago, totaling 11 RBI. Milz's solid production featured a .545 average (6-for-11) with runners in scoring position.
>> Two weeks into the season, Ciara Bryan has led Louisiana in hitting each time. Bryan hit .500 (8-for-16) at UAB's Green and Gold Classic and finished .435 (10-for-23) in last week's eight-game stretch.
SERIES HISTORY
Series Record: Louisiana leads 4-0
In Memphis: First Meeting
Last Meeting: 2/25/18 // LA 6, MEM 3 (11) (Lamson Park)
Streak: Louisiana, +4
Series Notes
- Louisiana's first-ever trip to Memphis
- Last met in 2018 Louisiana Classics at Lamson Park
- All previous meetings were part of pre-conference tournaments
NUMBERS TO KNEAUX
16: Justice Milz and Julie Rawls combined have produced 16 hits with RISP (16-for-30)
14: Ciara Bryan has reached base all 14 games. She sports a team-best .500 on base percentage
33: The Ragin' Cajuns scored 33 runs over the first three innings last week
9-0: Louisiana's record when scoring five or more runs in a game this season
2: Summer Ellyson is two wins shy of her 80th career victory. Would become the 6th Ragin' Cajun pitcher to reach the mark.
8: Hits allowed by Kandra Lamb in a combined 11-2/3 innings vs. LSU and Oklahoma State
A QUICK LOOK AT THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Infield: The Ragin' Cajuns have one of the best infield units in the country as both Alissa Dalton (returning shortstop) and Jade Gortarez are on the field together on the left side, covering shortstop and third base. Sure-handed second baseman Kaitlyn Alderink leads the way in securing the right side. Georgia transfer Justice Milz took over at first base following the untimely injury to Taylor Roman. Melissa Mayeux will also be in the mix with the group, available to play at any position.
Outfield: Returning center fielder Raina O'Neal (.329 average and nearly 30 extra base hits previous two seasons) is out for at least the regular season with an injury. Ciara Bryan has taken over in center field and is showing signs that she'll continue the performance that made her one of the most dynamic hitters in the nation during the COVD-19 shortened season. Kendall Talley has assumed duties in left field, while Julie Rawls has seen most of the time in right field since O'Neal's injury. Once fully recovered from a preseason injury, Jenna Kean adds speed that rivals single-season stolen base record holder Keeli Milligan.
Pitchers: Efforts in the circle are led by Summer Ellyson once again. She led the nation in wins (39) in 2019, and was off to an 11-1 start (1.83 ERA) in 2020 with wins over Oklahoma State, Ole Miss and Florida (twice). Kandra Lamb has emerged as the front-runner for the No. 2 spot following solid outings in her first career starts against ranked teams (at Louisiana State, vs. Oklahoma State). Casey Dixon, Vanessa Foreman and Karly Heath provide added depth and options to shorten innings pitched for Ellyson and Lamb.
Catchers: The mainstay from the past two seasons, Julie Rawls, is joined by Bailey Curry and Melissa Mayeux who trained at the position in preseason practice. Curry and Mayeux should allow for a rotation at the position which would prevent Rawls from having to catch every game to keep her fresh for the postseason. Rawls has led the Ragin' Cajuns in slugging percentage the past two seasons.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Sun Belt Conference play arrives when the Ragin' Cajuns return to action Saturday-Sunday, March 13-14 at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park. Louisiana welcomes Georgia Southern for the three-game, conference-opening series that begins with a 12 p.m. doubleheader live on ESPN+ on Saturday, March 13.
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.
Dates: Saturday-Sunday, March 6-7, 2021
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Stadium: Tiger Softball Complex
Series Schedule:
Sat., March 6 (DH) – 1 p.m. (CST)
Sun., March 7 – 12 p.m. (CST)
MEDIA INFORMATION
Game Notes (PDF): Louisiana
Season Stats (PDF): Louisiana | Memphis
Radio: ESPN-1420 AM | Talent: Steve Peloquin, PxP; Bobby Neveaux, analyst
Live Video: None
Live Stats: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
Twitter Updates: @RaginCajunsSB
LEADING OFF
>> Louisiana travels to Memphis, Tenn., for its first three-game series of the 2021 season. The Ragin' Cajuns and Tigers meet in a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, March 6 and again on Sunday, March 7 in a Noon single game.
>> It's the final non-conference weekend prior to the start of Sun Belt Conference play (March 13-14 vs. Georgia Southern at Lamson Park).
>> The Ragin' Cajuns make their first-ever trip to Memphis.
>> Louisiana competes on the road for an entire weekend for the first time since the Feb. 20-21 UAB Green and Gold Classic.
>> The Ragin' Cajuns are coming off a split of a pair of midweek games, rallying in the sixth inning for a 5-4 win at McNeese then succumbing to a six-run fifth inning in an 8-1 defeat vs. Baylor at Lamson Park.
>> Once the series in Memphis is complete, Louisiana will enjoy a five-day break before resuming play on Saturday, March 13 with Georgia Southern in the 2021 Sun Belt Conference opener.
THIS 'N THAT
>> Wednesday's win at McNeese halted a brief two-game losing streak. Since taking over the program in 2018, Gerry Glasco's Ragin' Cajuns have never lost more than two straight.
>> Ciara Bryan carries a season-best, seven-game hitting streak into the Memphis series – the longest streak by a Ragin' Cajun this season.
>> The Ragin' Cajuns have excelled in two-out situations this week, turning in a combined 14-for-28 effort against McNeese and Baylor.
>> It was four consecutive two-out hits in the sixth inning that lifted Louisiana to the 5-4 win at McNeese.
>> Jade Gortarez enters the Memphis series coming off back-to-back multiple hit games. Gortarez hit .571 (4-for-7) vs. McNeese and Baylor.
>> Louisiana's readjusted lineup – due to injuries to Raina O'Neal and Taylor Roman – debuted last Friday and over five games produced a .324 average and 35 runs. It also produced faster starts, with 24 of the 35 runs coming in the first three innings.
>> Kandra Lamb set (or tied) her season-high for strikeouts three times last week, highlighted by 10 strikeouts against No. 8 Oklahoma State – the most recorded by an opposing pitcher off the Cowgirls' offense.
>> Justice Milz tallied at least one RBI in all but one of the eight contests a week ago, totaling 11 RBI. Milz's solid production featured a .545 average (6-for-11) with runners in scoring position.
>> Two weeks into the season, Ciara Bryan has led Louisiana in hitting each time. Bryan hit .500 (8-for-16) at UAB's Green and Gold Classic and finished .435 (10-for-23) in last week's eight-game stretch.
SERIES HISTORY
Series Record: Louisiana leads 4-0
In Memphis: First Meeting
Last Meeting: 2/25/18 // LA 6, MEM 3 (11) (Lamson Park)
Streak: Louisiana, +4
Series Notes
- Louisiana's first-ever trip to Memphis
- Last met in 2018 Louisiana Classics at Lamson Park
- All previous meetings were part of pre-conference tournaments
NUMBERS TO KNEAUX
16: Justice Milz and Julie Rawls combined have produced 16 hits with RISP (16-for-30)
14: Ciara Bryan has reached base all 14 games. She sports a team-best .500 on base percentage
33: The Ragin' Cajuns scored 33 runs over the first three innings last week
9-0: Louisiana's record when scoring five or more runs in a game this season
2: Summer Ellyson is two wins shy of her 80th career victory. Would become the 6th Ragin' Cajun pitcher to reach the mark.
8: Hits allowed by Kandra Lamb in a combined 11-2/3 innings vs. LSU and Oklahoma State
A QUICK LOOK AT THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Infield: The Ragin' Cajuns have one of the best infield units in the country as both Alissa Dalton (returning shortstop) and Jade Gortarez are on the field together on the left side, covering shortstop and third base. Sure-handed second baseman Kaitlyn Alderink leads the way in securing the right side. Georgia transfer Justice Milz took over at first base following the untimely injury to Taylor Roman. Melissa Mayeux will also be in the mix with the group, available to play at any position.
Outfield: Returning center fielder Raina O'Neal (.329 average and nearly 30 extra base hits previous two seasons) is out for at least the regular season with an injury. Ciara Bryan has taken over in center field and is showing signs that she'll continue the performance that made her one of the most dynamic hitters in the nation during the COVD-19 shortened season. Kendall Talley has assumed duties in left field, while Julie Rawls has seen most of the time in right field since O'Neal's injury. Once fully recovered from a preseason injury, Jenna Kean adds speed that rivals single-season stolen base record holder Keeli Milligan.
Pitchers: Efforts in the circle are led by Summer Ellyson once again. She led the nation in wins (39) in 2019, and was off to an 11-1 start (1.83 ERA) in 2020 with wins over Oklahoma State, Ole Miss and Florida (twice). Kandra Lamb has emerged as the front-runner for the No. 2 spot following solid outings in her first career starts against ranked teams (at Louisiana State, vs. Oklahoma State). Casey Dixon, Vanessa Foreman and Karly Heath provide added depth and options to shorten innings pitched for Ellyson and Lamb.
Catchers: The mainstay from the past two seasons, Julie Rawls, is joined by Bailey Curry and Melissa Mayeux who trained at the position in preseason practice. Curry and Mayeux should allow for a rotation at the position which would prevent Rawls from having to catch every game to keep her fresh for the postseason. Rawls has led the Ragin' Cajuns in slugging percentage the past two seasons.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Sun Belt Conference play arrives when the Ragin' Cajuns return to action Saturday-Sunday, March 13-14 at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park. Louisiana welcomes Georgia Southern for the three-game, conference-opening series that begins with a 12 p.m. doubleheader live on ESPN+ on Saturday, March 13.
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 --
Players Mentioned
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P
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P
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P
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SS/2B
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P/OF
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OF
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P
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UTL
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OF
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IF/DP
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OF
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C/OF
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1B/OF
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