Softball: Strong Weekend Lands Jordan Wallace Sun Belt Honors

LAFAYETTE – Jordan Wallace came within eight outs of tossing hitless softball over 16 innings pitched for No. 7 Louisiana in the Mardi Gras Classic presented by Hilton Lafayette.
 
On Monday, the senior pitcher was rewarded for her efforts as she was named the Sun Belt Conference’s Softball Pitcher of the Week.
 
It’s the first league honor for a Cajuns player this season, and the ninth overall for Wallace in her career.
 
Wallace (3-0, 1 SV, 24.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 46 K) continued her strong start to the 2015 season, allowing only one hit and striking out 30 in 16 innings of work during the Mardi Gras Classic. She hurled a no-hitter in a seven-inning victory over Mississippi Valley State on Friday.
 
Wallace claimed two victories and garnered one save during the weekend. She was named MVP of the tournament.
 
"Jordan has worked extremely hard – starting in the fall – to get stronger, tougher, increase her velocity and endurance," Louisiana softball head coach Michael Lotief said. "She set new goals and like all true competitors, found a way to learn and grow from last year."
 
She strung together 13 1/3 innings of hitless softball before the lone hit of the tournament allowed, which came with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, during Sunday’s finale vs. Idaho State.
 
Wallace faced just seven batters over the minimum the entire weekend and struck out 30 of the 55 total batters faced.
 
"So far this year, she has trusted her preparation and hard work," Lotief stated. "And most importantly, has mentally engaged in this season and invested herself with her teammates."
 
The Weatherford, Texas, native matched her season strikeout total with 16 in firing a no-hitter at MVSU – the first no-hitter for the Cajuns since she combined with Kristin Martinez for one in a contest with the College of Charleston on March 2, 2013 in the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic.
 
Striking out five of the six batters she faced, after relieving Alex Stewart, in Saturday night’s 3-0 win over Idaho State garnered her the save. On Sunday, she started with four straight hitless innings vs. Idaho State before a one-out double in the fifth inning became the only thing that separated her from throwing two no-hitters.
 
"She knows, and we know, that there will be struggles and adversity along the way," Lotief added. "Hopefully we are better prepared this year to meet them head on."
 
No. 7 Louisiana (9-0) is back in action Friday-Sunday, Feb. 20-22 hosting the Ragin’ Cajuns Invitational at Lamson Park featuring games with Hofstra, Iowa, Missouri State and McNeese State.