Softball: Lexie Elkins Lands National Player of the Week Honor

LAFAYETTE – Lexie Elkins‘ offensive display in last Saturday’s doubleheader at Appalachian State earned the No. 9 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns softball catcher her first USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week honor, the Amateur Softball Association announced Tuesday.
 
Elkins finished the twinbill in Boone, N.C., a combined 8-for-10 (.800 average) at the plate with five home runs, 13 RBI and six runs scored. For her efforts, the Victoria, Texas native was also tabbed as the Sun Belt Conference and Louisiana Sports Writers Association Player of the Week for the second time this season on Monday.
 
It is the first USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week honor for Elkins in her career and it marks the first time since week two of the 2012 season that a Ragin’ Cajun earned the honor (Christi Orgeron).
 
"It means a lot to have been given this award," Elkins said.  "I’m honored and thankful that my teammates and coaches continue to push me every day to get better."
 
Elkins went 4-for-5 with three home runs, six RBI and three runs scored in a 21-5 victory in five innings in game one of the doubleheader.  She followed her game one performance with a duplicate 4-for-5 showing at the plate in the nightcap that included a pair of home runs, a career-high tying seven RBI and three runs scored in a 23-6 contest. 
 
"Lexie had a special weekend," Louisiana softball head coach Michael Lotief said.  "She works extremely hard, has incredible hand-eye coordination and is a very smart, intellectual hitter. She feeds off of her teammates.  It’s a great individual honor for her, but it’s also something that we take a lot of pride in as a team and offensive lineup."
 
She homered twice in the fifth inning of game two to reach 25 home runs on the season, which eclipses her total of 24 hit in 2014 and represents the second-highest total in a single-season in school history.  With these two performances, Elkins picked up her sixth and seventh multiple-home run contests of the season.
 
Elkins is presently one of just six players nationwide to reach 20 home runs this season and is also a Top 26 Finalist for 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award.
 
The No. 9-ranked Ragin’ Cajuns (34-5, 17-3 Sun Belt) are set to face No. 2 Oregon (38-5, 16-2 Pac 12) in Eugene, Ore., for a three-game series this upcoming weekend. The series begins with a 6 p.m. (CDT) single game on Friday, April 24 and concludes with a 2 p.m. (CDT) doubleheader on Saturday, April 25.
 
2015 USA Softball National Collegiate Players of the Week
Week 1 (Feb. 5-8): Taylor Schoblocher – North Texas – Junior – Utility – Forney, Texas
Week 2 (Feb. 9-15): Lauren Haeger – Florida – Senior – Pitcher/1B – Peoria, Ariz.
Week 3 (Feb. 16-22): Jenna Lilley – Oregon – Freshman – Infield – North Canton, Ohio
Week 4 (Feb. 23 – March 1): Sierra Lawrence – Michigan – Junior – Outfield – Snellville, Ga.
Week 5 (March 2-8): Emily Carosone – Auburn – Junior – Outfield – Orlando, Fla.
Week 6 (March 9-15): Bianka Bell – LSU – Junior – Infield – Tampa, Fla.
Week 7 (March 16-22): Megan Good – James Madison – Freshman – Pitcher/Infielder – Mount Sidney, Va.
Week 8 (March 23-29): Geri Ann Glasco – Oregon – Junior – DP/Pitcher – Watkinsville, Ga.
Week 9 (March 30 – April 5): Shelby Turnier – UCF – Junior – Pitcher – Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Week 10 (April 6-12): Paige Parker – OU – Freshman – Pitcher – Independence, Mo.
Week 11 (April 13-19): Lexie Elkins – Louisiana – Junior – Catcher – Victoria, Texas