Young pitcher Jordan Wallace still remembers the "freshman orientation" she received during her first outing against an elite college softball program.

It was Feb. 25 against No. 12-ranked Michigan at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Florida.

Wallace recollects that choice of words being used by UL co-head coach Michael Lotief to describe her performance during a visit to the circle in that 10-7 UL victory.

Wallace could only smile during Monday’s weekly UL softball media luncheon as she told of giving up seven hits and five runs with no walks and three strikeouts in that start against Michigan.

Perhaps the freshman from Weatherford, Texas, learned a great deal from that start.

Or perhaps she’s made that much progress in three weeks time early in her collegiate career.

Or perhaps the Cajuns were simply that focused to deliver another statement victory when UL handled Arizona State 9-2 behind a five-hit, two-run effort from Wallace over the defending national champions.

Whatever provided the impetus, it was good enough for Wallace to earn Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week honors, joining teammate Nerissa Myers as this week’s Sun Belt Hitter of the Week for her part in helping UL go 3-0 in the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif.

"We just knew we weren’t going to lose," said Wallace, who improved to 13-0 for the season with a 1.11 ERA in 19 innings with 14 strikeouts last week. "We knew we were going to win that game."

Wallace revealed that the 26-0 Cajuns, who await the news today of how much they’ll climb in the national polls from their current positions of No. 10 and 11, had been pointing to this opportunity against Arizona State since the fall.

"It helped me to know that my team had that much confidence in me (to get start vs. ASU)," Wallace said. "I relied on my outfielders a bunch to catch pop-ups."

Naturally, this entire true freshman campaign has been a great learning experience for Wallace. After admittedly be rudely "awakened" by Michigan’s lineup, Wallace also learned how tough Sun Belt Conference play can be when North Texas nearly defeated UL twice last weekend.

"I was definitely surprised that North Texas was able to hang with us," Wallace said. "That was pleasing to me, because it shows that there’s going to be a lot of competition (in Sun Belt) to get us ready."

Wallace has also had to deal with little parts of her game that have given her difficulty, such as throwing to the bases as a fielder.

"That’s definitely just a mental thing," she said. "I’ve been throwing to first base since I was 8 years old. We’ve been working hard on that."

Throughout the process, Lotief has been impressed with how easy coaching Wallace has been.

"Pitchers are a different breed," Lotief said. "Coaching girls, there’s often a lot of drama. They’re high maintenance and want special treatment. Jordan hasn’t been like that. She’s been very grounded and she’s been very mature. She’s trusted her teammates and her teammates have trusted her. She’s committed to the process.

"When she’s struggled, she hasn’t overblown it. She hasn’t made it into some big drama."

While the jury was somewhat out on Wallace as a true freshman coming into this season, very few have been surprised by what Myers has been able to deliver.

In her four games last week, Myers hit .500 with a triple, two homers, 10 RBIs, 14 total bases, six runs scored and a 1.400 slugging percentage.

"Every time that kid comes up in a clutch situation, she’s going to get it done," Lotief said. "On the big stage, she’s proven that she definitely belongs."

Myers is now batting .386 with eight doubles, two triples, five homers, 33 RBIs and 11 stolen bases on the season.

For the record, Lotief said that the team’s top slugger Christi Orgeron has a "deep bone bruise" and is expected to play in Thursday’s 5 p.m. doubleheader against Georgia Tech at Lamson Park.