Softball: Big Numbers Lead to Another Weekly Award for Summer Ellyson

Ace pitcher receives sixth Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week award

LAFAYETTE – For the third consecutive week, and sixth time overall in the 2019 season, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball’s Summer Ellyson has been named the Community Coffee Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week.
 
Over four starts last week Ellyson averaged over two strikeouts per inning, tallying at least seven each time out and reaching double digits twice, in guiding No. 8 Louisiana (42-4, 21-0 Sun Belt) to an undefeated week which extended the team’s season-best winning streak to 19 games and clinched the Sun Belt regular season title.
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns’ junior right-hander piled up a total of 38 strikeouts in 18 innings in the circle. Both of her double-digit strikeout totals came in only five innings of work – 12 at UNCG on Tuesday and 11 in the Georgia State series opener.
 
Ellyson (29-4, 1.06 ERA, 258 K) recorded multiple strikeouts in 14 of the 18 innings worked, including all five pitched at UNCG and all but four of the 13 against GSU. She posted career strikeout No. 500 on Saturday.
 
"Summer is always Summer," Louisiana Softball head coach Gerry Glasco said. "She comes out and gives us time to get the lead and get our offense going. She’s so steady on the mound and does it so seemingly effortlessly. I’m always impressed by her."
 
Ellyson yielded only two earned runs for the week, claimed all three wins in a Sun Belt series for the third time and increased her nation-leading wins total to 29.
 
This week’s award increases the Ragin’ Cajuns team total of SBC weekly awards for the 2019 season to 11. Ellyson’s six selections mark the most by a Louisiana pitcher in a single season since Ashley Brignac received seven in 2011 (the program record is eight by Brooke Mitchell in 2004).
 
Louisiana, which has received at least one SBC Player and Pitcher of the Week award since the inception of the league in 2000, now owns 87 pitcher of the week awards in program history.
 
No. 8 Louisiana travels to Ruston, La. on Wednesday, April 24 for its final midweek game of the season set for 6 p.m. at Louisiana Tech. The Ragin’ Cajuns then return to Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park April 26-28 for a Sun Belt series with Coastal Carolina and to celebrate Senior Weekend.
 
2019 LOUISIANA SOFTBALL SUN BELT PLAYER/PITCHER OF THE WEEK AWARDS
Feb. 12 – Raina O’Neal (Player of the Week)
Feb. 12 – Kandra Lamb (Pitcher of the Week)
Feb. 19 – Summer Ellyson (Pitcher of the Week)
Mar. 12 – Summer Ellyson (Pitcher of the Week)
Mar. 19 – Julie Rawls (Player of the Week)
Mar. 19 – Summer Ellyson (Pitcher of the Week)
Mar. 26 – Alissa Dalton (Player of the Week)
Apr. 9 – Summer Ellyson (Pitcher of the Week)
Apr. 16 – Alissa Dalton (Player of the Week)
Apr. 16 – Summer Ellyson (Pitcher of the Week)
Apr. 23 – Summer Ellyson (Pitcher of the Week)
 
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SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE
• Season tickets, beginning at $100, are available online at RaginCajuns.com using Account Manager, by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 265-2170 or by visiting the ticket office in person Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and extended hours during Ragin’ Cajuns basketball events.
• Fans who purchase season tickets receive priority access for any potential NCAA postseason games held at Lamson Park.
• For information on premium seating and parking at Lamson Park, contact the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation (RCAF) at (337) 851-2903. General admission parking at Cajun Field will be free for all games during the 2019 season.