Softball: Cajuns Named Statistical Champion in Two Categories

LAFAYETTE – Ragin’ Cajuns Softball finished the 2016 season as the Division I softball statistical champion for Home Runs Per Game and Slugging Percentage, the NCAA announced last Friday.
 
Head coach Michael Lotief‘s squad led Division I softball – and all levels of collegiate softball – with an average of 1.96 home runs per game. The Ragin’ Cajuns topped the charts for the second straight season (led DI softball in 2015 with 2.15 home runs per game).
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns generated 108 home runs over 55 games during the 2016 season, reaching the century mark for the second straight season (hit 116 in 2015). There was at least one home run hit in 43 of the season’s 55 games and multiple home runs 31 times.
 
A group of six players, led by Lexie Elkins‘ 19 home runs, posted double digit home run totals. Joining Elkins in double figures were: Aleah Craighton (18), DJ Sanders (18), Shellie Landry (16), Kelsey Vincent (15) and Sara Corbello (13).
 
Louisiana finished among the Top 10 home run producing teams for the fourth straight season (2013-16) and ninth time in 16 seasons under Lotief’s tutelage.
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns Division I-leading slugging percentage in 2016 was .622. It’s the second straight campaign with a .600-plus figure, just shy of the school-record .652 recorded in 2015. Louisiana produced 184 extra base hits (69 doubles, 7 triples, 108 home runs) and accrued 893 total bases.
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns were one of only two Division I softball teams in 2016 to post a .600-plus slugging percentage, joined by Oregon’s .618 tally.
 
During the 2016 season, Louisiana claimed its third straight Sun Belt Conference championship and 14th in the 16 years of league competition since 2001. The squad appeared in the NCAA Tournament for the 18th straight year and 26th time overall in the past 27 years dating back to 1990. The Ragin’ Cajuns hosted an NCAA Regional at Lamson Park for the fourth time in the past five years (2012, 2014-16) and advanced to an NCAA Super Regional for the fifth straight year (2012-16).
 
For more information on Ragin’ Cajuns Softball, as well as all of Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics, visit RaginCajuns.com. Fans can also follow along with the team on Facebook (/RaginCajunSoftball) and Twitter (@RaginCajunSB).
 
 NCAA D1 SOFTBALL TOP 10 HOME RUNS PER GAME (2016 season)
Rank  Team                         HR/Gm
1.         Louisiana                  1.96
2.         Oregon                       1.64
3.         Michigan                    1.46
3.         Texas A&M                1.46
5.         Pittsburgh                  1.44
6.         Coastal Carolina        1.41
6.         Omaha                       1.41
8.         Saint Francis (PA)     1.40
9.         Washington               1.35
10.      Towson                       1.30
 
NCAA D1 SOFTBALL TOP 10 SLUGGING PERCENTAGE (2016 season)
Rank  Team                          SLG%
1          Louisiana                  .622
2          Oregon                      .618
3          Michigan                    .589
4          Washington               .558
5          Texas A&M                .551
6          Pittsburgh                  .546
7          Oklahoma                  .538
8          San Jose State          .536
9          Omaha                      .536
10       Coastal Carolina         .531