Softball: Cajuns get spirited send-off

Bruce Brown • bbrown@theadvertiser.com • May 28, 2010

Brittany Cuevas has a bright future mapped out.

UL softball players lead a chant with family, friends and fans Thursday afternoon before they board a bus bound for New Orleans where they will fly to California for their Super Regional series against UCLA.

She sports an engagement ring, and is making plans for graduate school in biology next fall.

But the immediate future for Cuevas and her UL Ragin’ Cajun teammates involves a trip to Los Angeles to face UCLA in NCAA Super Regional softball action this weekend.

The Cajuns boarded a bus on Thursday at Lamson Park for the first leg of the journey that took them to New Orleans for their flight to L.A. The squad was surrounded by red-clad fans for an occasion that has become a habit for the program.

"Without a doubt, we have the best fans in the nation," Cuevas said. "We take that team pride with us."

The 45-16 Cajuns play UCLA (43-11) at 8 p.m. Saturday, Central Time, in a game to be televised by ESPN2, then would play again Sunday in the best two-of-three matchup to earn a spot in the Women’s College World Series.

It is the 12th straight year in NCAA Tournament play for UL, and the second time in three years in a Super Regional. Some 11 current Cajuns were on the team that reached the World Series in 2008.

"We play as one," Cuevas said. "We’re so excited to play in another Super Regional. We’re ready to go. No one will outwork us."

Teurlings Catholic product Donna Bourgeois, the other half of the Cajuns’ lethal pitching combination, agreed.

"This team plays together," Bourgeois said. "We get the right play at the right time. It’s an honor to be a part of this team and to represent these fans."

A pair of Cuevas victories over Texas A&M (5-0, 6-1) sandwiched a masterful 1-0 shutout of host LSU by Bourgeois in last weekend’s regional in Baton Rouge, and the two will be spotlighted again at UCLA.

"We felt great at the end of the season," Cuevas said. "We have great defense behind us, and our hitting is unstoppable. So, it’s easy to pitch."

Cuevas also felt at ease preparing for the long trip ahead of her.

"I’ve got my book," she said. "I’ve got graduate school in the fall, so I’ll be reading everything I can."

She’ll make time, of course, for softball.