University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, April 24
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
1:30 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
at
Alabama
Ragin' Cajuns, Crimson Tide Set for Softball Showdown in Tuscaloosa
4/23/2021 4:01:00 PM | Softball
Top 15 squads meet in pair of single games at Rhoads Stadium, starting Saturday
No. 13Â Louisiana (35-7) at No. 5 Alabama (34-7)
Dates: Saturday-Sunday, April 24-25, 2021
Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Stadium: Rhoads Stadium
Series Schedule:
     Sat., April 24 – 1:30 p.m. (CDT)
     Sun., April 25 – 1:30 p.m. (CDT)
MEDIA INFORMATION
Game Notes (PDF): Louisiana | Alabama
Season Stats (PDF): Louisiana | Alabama
Rosters: Louisiana | Alabama
Radio:Â ESPN-1420 AMÂ |Â Talent: Steve Peloquin, PxP; Bobby Neveaux, analyst
Television: SEC Network Plus | Talent: Gray Robertson, PxP; Sydney Littlejohn Watkins, analyst
Live Video:Â Game 1 | Game 2Â
Live Stats:Â Click Here
Twitter Updates:Â @RaginCajunsSB
Â
LEADING OFFÂ
>> No. 13 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball is using its break from Sun Belt Conference play to get an early glimpse of the postseason, facing No. 5 Alabama in a two-game showdown in Tuscaloosa.
Â
>> The two nationally ranked squads are set to meet Saturday-Sunday, April 24-25 at Rhoads Stadium with first pitch set for 1:30 p.m. each day.
Â
>> The Ragin' Cajuns enter the battle with the Crimson Tide playing its best softball of the season, sporting a 20-1 mark since March 21.
Â
>> The last two weekends saw Louisiana pick up crucial Sun Belt Conference series wins over Troy and Texas State that vaulted the squad into first place in the league.
Â
>> The matchup with the Crimson Tide marks the final non-conference games of the regular season.
Â
>> In previous matchups with ranked foes this season, the Ragin' Cajuns earned splits with Oklahoma State and Texas.
Â
THIS 'N THATÂ Â
>> Entering the weekend, Louisiana (35) and Alabama (34) were one of only 18 teams to have reached or surpassed 30 wins. The Ragin' Cajuns win total is bested only by Arkansas (37) and Oklahoma State (36).
Â
>> Over the past 21 games (since March 21), the Ragin' Cajuns are batting .332, have generated 69 extra base hits (35 doubles, 7 triples, 27 home runs) and are averaging 7.4 runs per game.
Â
>> Pitching and defense has made a tremendous upswing during the second half, sporting a 1.69 ERA and a .973 fielding percentage (previous 21 games had a 2.90 ERA and .960 fielding percentage).
Â
>> The leadoff combo of Ciara Bryan and Kaitlyn Alderink has helped Louisiana gain the lead in the first inning each of the last three games. The Ragin' Cajuns are 29-3 when scoring the game's first run(s).
Â
>> Ciara Bryan has posted at least one base hit in all but three of the 42 games Louisiana has played this season, and in 61 of the last 70 games she's competed in dating back to the 2020 season.
Â
>> During her 11-game hitting streak, Kaitlyn Alderink is batting a team-leading .516 (16-for-31) with 11 runs, eight doubles and seven RBI.
Â
>> Julie Rawls has generated a team-leading 23 RBI in the month of April at a rate of 1.6 RBI per game. Rawls ranks Top 10 nationally with 47 RBI, which is two shy of matching her career-high total (49 in 2019).
Â
>> Summer Ellyson brings a personal 11-game win streak into the Alabama series. She's limited foes to 14 earned runs and 49 hits over 69-1/3 innings pitched during the resurgence (since March 21 at UTA).
Â
>> Over her last three appearances in the circle, starting with the Texas State series, Summer Ellyson has struck out 25 batters over 16 innings.
Â
>> Kandra Lamb tops the pitching staff with 132 strikeouts in 108 innings. She's tallied at least five strikeouts in 13 of her 19 starts.
Â
SERIES HISTORYÂ
Series Record:Â Tied, 6-6
In Tuscaloosa: Alabama leads, 4-1
Last Meeting: 2/19/17 // LA 7, UA 0Â (Lamson Park)
Streak: Louisiana, +2
Â
Series Notables
- Louisiana's 3rd trip to Tuscaloosa. Previous visits were for the 2007 East Spring Fling and a three-game series Feb. 28-March 1, 2015.
- Last met in Feb. 2017 series at Lamson Park.
- Eight of the 12 all-time matchups have been decided by three runs or less.
Â
NUMBERS TO KNEAUX
4-1/2:Â Number of innings Louisiana has trailed in the month of April (out of 88 innings)
2:Â Ciara Bryan ranks No. 2 nationally in base hits, having recorded a personal-best 66 hits
11: Kaitlyn Alderink carries an 11-game hit streak to Tuscaloosa – her longest as a Ragin' Cajun
.463:Â Julie Rawls' season average with runners in scoring position (25-for-54)
90:Â Number of career wins for Summer Ellyson, only the 5th Ragin' Cajuns pitcher to reach the milestone (1981-present)
30-0:Â Louisiana's record when scoring five or more runs in a game this season
3:Â Number of RBI Julie Rawls needs for the first 50-RBI season of her collegiate career
Â
A QUICK LOOK AT THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Infield: The Ragin' Cajuns have one of the best infield units in the country, and it may have been strengthened further by the adjustments made during the final week of March. Returning shortstop Alissa Dalton remains the anchor of the unit with her astounding range at shortstop. Sure-handed defender Kaitlyn Alderink switched sides and moved to third base (from second base) to assist Dalton in locking down the left side. Jade Gortarez has settled in at second base after starting the year on the left side alternating between third and shortstop. Melissa Mayeux took over at first base in the new-look alignment, but expect Justice Milz to see time at the position as well.
Â
Outfield: Returning center fielder Raina O'Neal (hit .329 with nearly 30 extra base hits previous two seasons) is out for the regular season with an injury. Ciara Bryan has taken over in center field and continues to be one of most dynamic hitters in the nation. Kendall Talley closed March with a six-game hitting streak and seems to have claimed the left field slot. Right field has been a rotation of Jenna Kean, who adds elite speed to the base path, Karly Heath, and Julie Rawls who provides veteran experience for late-game adjustments.
Â
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. Kandra Lamb 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.
Â
Catchers: Julie Rawls, the mainstay from the past two seasons, is joined by Bailey Curry who trained at the position in preseason practice and freshman Sophie Piskos who was called into duty the last week of March due to an injury with Rawls. Curry and Piskos allow for a rotation that can keep Rawls' legs rested for the postseason. Rawls has led Louisiana in slugging percentage the past two seasons.
Â
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
No. 13 Louisiana starts the final stretch of Sun Belt Conference play and plays its final road games of the regular season Saturday-Sunday, May 1-2 in Conway, S.C., against Coastal Carolina. The Ragin' Cajuns and Chanticleers are scheduled to play a 12 p.m. (CDT) doubleheader on Saturday and an 11 a.m. (CDT) single game on Sunday at St. John Stadium on the CCU campus.
The Coastal Carolina series is the first of just two remaining before postseason play begins with the Sun Belt Conference Tournament May 12-15 in Troy, Ala., and will be followed by the 2021 season home finale Thursday-Saturday, May 6-8 vs. ULM at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park.Â
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.
Â
Dates: Saturday-Sunday, April 24-25, 2021
Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Stadium: Rhoads Stadium
Series Schedule:
     Sat., April 24 – 1:30 p.m. (CDT)
     Sun., April 25 – 1:30 p.m. (CDT)
MEDIA INFORMATION
Game Notes (PDF): Louisiana | Alabama
Season Stats (PDF): Louisiana | Alabama
Rosters: Louisiana | Alabama
Radio:Â ESPN-1420 AMÂ |Â Talent: Steve Peloquin, PxP; Bobby Neveaux, analyst
Television: SEC Network Plus | Talent: Gray Robertson, PxP; Sydney Littlejohn Watkins, analyst
Live Video:Â Game 1 | Game 2Â
Live Stats:Â Click Here
Twitter Updates:Â @RaginCajunsSB
Â
LEADING OFFÂ
>> No. 13 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball is using its break from Sun Belt Conference play to get an early glimpse of the postseason, facing No. 5 Alabama in a two-game showdown in Tuscaloosa.
Â
>> The two nationally ranked squads are set to meet Saturday-Sunday, April 24-25 at Rhoads Stadium with first pitch set for 1:30 p.m. each day.
Â
>> The Ragin' Cajuns enter the battle with the Crimson Tide playing its best softball of the season, sporting a 20-1 mark since March 21.
Â
>> The last two weekends saw Louisiana pick up crucial Sun Belt Conference series wins over Troy and Texas State that vaulted the squad into first place in the league.
Â
>> The matchup with the Crimson Tide marks the final non-conference games of the regular season.
Â
>> In previous matchups with ranked foes this season, the Ragin' Cajuns earned splits with Oklahoma State and Texas.
Â
THIS 'N THATÂ Â
>> Entering the weekend, Louisiana (35) and Alabama (34) were one of only 18 teams to have reached or surpassed 30 wins. The Ragin' Cajuns win total is bested only by Arkansas (37) and Oklahoma State (36).
Â
>> Over the past 21 games (since March 21), the Ragin' Cajuns are batting .332, have generated 69 extra base hits (35 doubles, 7 triples, 27 home runs) and are averaging 7.4 runs per game.
Â
>> Pitching and defense has made a tremendous upswing during the second half, sporting a 1.69 ERA and a .973 fielding percentage (previous 21 games had a 2.90 ERA and .960 fielding percentage).
Â
>> The leadoff combo of Ciara Bryan and Kaitlyn Alderink has helped Louisiana gain the lead in the first inning each of the last three games. The Ragin' Cajuns are 29-3 when scoring the game's first run(s).
Â
>> Ciara Bryan has posted at least one base hit in all but three of the 42 games Louisiana has played this season, and in 61 of the last 70 games she's competed in dating back to the 2020 season.
Â
>> During her 11-game hitting streak, Kaitlyn Alderink is batting a team-leading .516 (16-for-31) with 11 runs, eight doubles and seven RBI.
Â
>> Julie Rawls has generated a team-leading 23 RBI in the month of April at a rate of 1.6 RBI per game. Rawls ranks Top 10 nationally with 47 RBI, which is two shy of matching her career-high total (49 in 2019).
Â
>> Summer Ellyson brings a personal 11-game win streak into the Alabama series. She's limited foes to 14 earned runs and 49 hits over 69-1/3 innings pitched during the resurgence (since March 21 at UTA).
Â
>> Over her last three appearances in the circle, starting with the Texas State series, Summer Ellyson has struck out 25 batters over 16 innings.
Â
>> Kandra Lamb tops the pitching staff with 132 strikeouts in 108 innings. She's tallied at least five strikeouts in 13 of her 19 starts.
Â
SERIES HISTORYÂ
Series Record:Â Tied, 6-6
In Tuscaloosa: Alabama leads, 4-1
Last Meeting: 2/19/17 // LA 7, UA 0Â (Lamson Park)
Streak: Louisiana, +2
Â
Series Notables
- Louisiana's 3rd trip to Tuscaloosa. Previous visits were for the 2007 East Spring Fling and a three-game series Feb. 28-March 1, 2015.
- Last met in Feb. 2017 series at Lamson Park.
- Eight of the 12 all-time matchups have been decided by three runs or less.
Â
NUMBERS TO KNEAUX
4-1/2:Â Number of innings Louisiana has trailed in the month of April (out of 88 innings)
2:Â Ciara Bryan ranks No. 2 nationally in base hits, having recorded a personal-best 66 hits
11: Kaitlyn Alderink carries an 11-game hit streak to Tuscaloosa – her longest as a Ragin' Cajun
.463:Â Julie Rawls' season average with runners in scoring position (25-for-54)
90:Â Number of career wins for Summer Ellyson, only the 5th Ragin' Cajuns pitcher to reach the milestone (1981-present)
30-0:Â Louisiana's record when scoring five or more runs in a game this season
3:Â Number of RBI Julie Rawls needs for the first 50-RBI season of her collegiate career
Â
A QUICK LOOK AT THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Infield: The Ragin' Cajuns have one of the best infield units in the country, and it may have been strengthened further by the adjustments made during the final week of March. Returning shortstop Alissa Dalton remains the anchor of the unit with her astounding range at shortstop. Sure-handed defender Kaitlyn Alderink switched sides and moved to third base (from second base) to assist Dalton in locking down the left side. Jade Gortarez has settled in at second base after starting the year on the left side alternating between third and shortstop. Melissa Mayeux took over at first base in the new-look alignment, but expect Justice Milz to see time at the position as well.
Â
Outfield: Returning center fielder Raina O'Neal (hit .329 with nearly 30 extra base hits previous two seasons) is out for the regular season with an injury. Ciara Bryan has taken over in center field and continues to be one of most dynamic hitters in the nation. Kendall Talley closed March with a six-game hitting streak and seems to have claimed the left field slot. Right field has been a rotation of Jenna Kean, who adds elite speed to the base path, Karly Heath, and Julie Rawls who provides veteran experience for late-game adjustments.
Â
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. Kandra Lamb 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.
Â
Catchers: Julie Rawls, the mainstay from the past two seasons, is joined by Bailey Curry who trained at the position in preseason practice and freshman Sophie Piskos who was called into duty the last week of March due to an injury with Rawls. Curry and Piskos allow for a rotation that can keep Rawls' legs rested for the postseason. Rawls has led Louisiana in slugging percentage the past two seasons.
Â
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
No. 13 Louisiana starts the final stretch of Sun Belt Conference play and plays its final road games of the regular season Saturday-Sunday, May 1-2 in Conway, S.C., against Coastal Carolina. The Ragin' Cajuns and Chanticleers are scheduled to play a 12 p.m. (CDT) doubleheader on Saturday and an 11 a.m. (CDT) single game on Sunday at St. John Stadium on the CCU campus.
The Coastal Carolina series is the first of just two remaining before postseason play begins with the Sun Belt Conference Tournament May 12-15 in Troy, Ala., and will be followed by the 2021 season home finale Thursday-Saturday, May 6-8 vs. ULM at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park.Â
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.
-- RaginCajuns.com --
Â
Players Mentioned
2B/3B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
IF/DP
/ Softball
SS
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
SS/2B
/ Softball
P/OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
IF/DP
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C/IF
/ Softball
C/OF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballAlyson Habetz Media Availability (May 4, 2025)
Monday, May 05
Alyson Habetz, Mia Norwood, and Dayzja Williams Media Availability (April 28, 2025)
Monday, April 28
Alyson Habetz Media Availability (April 21, 2025)
Monday, April 21
Alyson Habetz, Emily Smith, And Mallory Wheeler Media Availability (April 14, 2025)
Monday, April 14
