Softball: Julie Rawls and Summer Ellyson Claim Sun Belt Weekly Awards

Duo spearheaded a 5-0 week for No. 9 Louisiana

LAFAYETTE – Following week-long standout performances during last week’s five-game slate, Julie Rawls and Summer Ellyson of No. 9 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball captured the Week 6 awards presented by the Sun Belt Conference.
 
Rawls, who started the week with four consecutive multiple-hit games, produced all 10 of her RBI over a three-game span and went 11-for-15 (.733) at the plate, was named the Community Coffee Sun Belt Softball Player of the Week.
 
Ellyson collected five victories, including each one in a Sun Belt series for the second straight weekend, surrendered only two runs and struck out 43 batters over 28-2/3 innings – efforts which earned her the Community Coffee Sun Belt Softball Pitcher of the Week award.
 
Rawls received her first career SBC weekly award. Ellyson, who captured her sixth career SBC Pitcher of the Week award, was honored for the second straight week and third time overall this season.
 
Louisiana (23-3, 6-0 Sun Belt) has now claimed six SBC weekly awards in 2019. After opening weekend, Rania O’Neal and Kandra Lamb claimed SBC Player and Pitcher of the Week, the following week Ellyson was awarded the pitching honor and was the recipient once again on March 12.
 
Rawls’ week began with a three-hit performance and two runs scored in a 4-1 win over Big 12-foe Baylor. The next two games she provided momentum-changing home runs: doubled the lead in the sixth inning at Nicholls and turned the tide with a two-run blast in the Troy series opener.
 
She added to her series-high RBI total of eight vs. Troy by plating three additional runs in Saturday’s game and finished 6-for-8 (.750) with five runs scored, two home runs and eight RBI against Trojans pitching.
 
"Julie is one of the most talented hitters I have been privileged to work with," Glasco said. "By buying into everything that Geri Ann and I asked her to do during preseason, she is beginning to realize her full potential. She is a coach’s dream – an extremely talented athlete with tremendous coachability."
 
Ellyson’s banner week began with a season-high 17 strikeouts in the win over Baylor in which she notched three strikeouts every inning from the second though fifth inning. She reached double-digit strikeouts a second straight outing, tallying 11 in a six-inning shutout effort on Wednesday at Nicholls.
 
The junior right-hander concluded the week holding Troy’s offense to a single run, 11 hits and a .186 average over 15-2/3 innings worked in the weekend series.
 
"Summer just continues to grow as a pitcher," Glasco mentioned. "This season we are seeing both her mental toughness and intelligence off the rubber, as well as an ability to throw the ball with elite spin, speed and location."
 
The current homestand for No. 9 Louisiana wraps up Wednesday when I-10 neighbor McNeese visits Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m., for the Louisiana Salutes contest honoring veterans and active military.
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns return to Sun Belt action Friday through Sunday in Mobile, Ala., with a three-game series at South Alabama.  
 
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)
 
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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.