The first Tuesday of the 2011 softball season marked an award winning day for the Ragin’ Cajuns and senior first baseman Gabriele Bridges.
Bridges was named the NFCA Division I National Player of the Week after hitting .700 with seven home runs and 10 walks during the Cajuns opening weekend.
Bridges became the first player in school and Sun Belt history to hit three home runs in one game when she accomplished the feat against Prairie View A&M last Saturday. The Lafitte native hit two home runs in the fourth inning alone, including a grand slam.
After hitting five home runs and posting 13 RBI on Saturday alone, Bridges didn’t see a strike on Sunday as Sam Houston walked her four times on four pitches each time.
Overall on the weekend, Bridges reached based 17 times in 20 plate appearances for a .850 on base percentage. She also posted an unreal 2.800 slugging percentage.
For her efforts, Bridges was also named the LSWA Hitter of the Week. The awards come just one day after Bridges and Ashley Brignac were named Sun Belt Conference Player and Pitcher of the Week.
Bridges helped the Cajuns to a 5-0 record on the weekend to capture the Louisiana Classics title. The 5-0 record helped UL to move up in both Top-25 polls.
The Cajuns advanced one spot, to No.16, in the USA Today/NFCA Top-25 poll and two spots, to No. 19, in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top-25 poll.
To see the complete polls, click the links below.
The Cajuns will return to the field this weekend when they host the Ragin’ Cajuns Invitational at Lamson Park. UL will welcome Maine, Stephen F. Austin and Tennessee State to town for the three day tournament.
— Ragin’ Cajuns —
