Softball: Lexie Elkins Receives Sun Belt Honors For Strong Start

 

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns softball senior catcher Lexie Elkins received Student-Athlete of the Week honors from the Sun Belt Conference on Tuesday for her strong start to the 2016 season during last weekend’s Sand Dollar Classic in Gulf Shores, Ala.

Elkins finished 10-for-15 (.667) at the plate with five home runs and 14 RBI as the Ragin’ Cajuns began the 2016 season with a 5-0 mark. She homered in three of the five contests in the Sand Dollar Classic, wrapping up the tournament against Louisiana Tech by tying a school record with three home runs – the second time in her career she’s accomplished the feat (Apr. 18 at Appalachian State).

The two-time Sun Belt Student-Athlete of the Year and reigning Diamond Sports/NFCA Division I Catcher of the Year, Elkins posted three multiple-hit games and four multiple-RBI games during the 2016 season-opening weekend in Gulf Shores. Adding in two doubles, seven of her 10 base hits went for extra bases resulting in a 1.800 slugging percentage.

"What Lexie has been able to accomplish, in terms of her performance when she does it, brings recognition – her home run power, incredible hand-eye, competitiveness and pitch recognition," Louisiana softball head coach Michael Lotief said. "We get to be around her day in and day out and see another side of her. We see how she’s grown as a leader, how hard she works in preparing each day, how she’s a tireless leader and how humble she is every time the spotlight shines on her."

The Victoria, Texas, native picked up her first SBC honor of the 2016 season. It’s the second time in her career that she’s received the league’s initial award of the season, having also won the opening award of the 2014 season.

Elkins picked up her fifth career student-athlete of the week honor from the Sun Belt Conference. She received the award twice in 2014 (Feb. 10 and Apr. 7) and 2015 (Mar. 23, Apr. 20).

She becomes the seventh Ragin’ Cajun to receive five or more student-athlete of the week accolades in a career from the Sun Belt joining a list that includes: Christi Orgeron (10), Holly Tankersley (10), Danyele Gomez (9), Gabriele Bridges (6), Alana Addison (5) and Becky McMurtry (5).

Elkins scored four runs, doubled, homered and posted five RBI in the Cajuns’ 22-4 (5 inn.) win over 2015 NCAA Regional participant Ball State in the season opener. She went 4-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in the opening day nightcap vs. UAB, allowing her to finish the day 6-for-7 with two doubles, two home runs and eight RBI.

On Saturday, she broke open a 1-0 game vs. SEMO in the second inning with a two-out, two-run single. On Sunday vs. La. Tech, she homered in each of her first two bat bats building a 3-0 lead for Louisiana.

Elkins and her teammates return to action this weekend when No. 7 Louisiana makes its Lamson Park season debut, hosting the 30th Annual Louisiana Classics tournament Friday-Sunday, Feb. 19-21. The Ragin’ Cajuns start the event with a 2 p.m., doubleheader against No. 5 Oregon on Friday, Feb. 19.

2016 RAGIN’ CAJUNS SUN BELT STUDENT-ATHLETE/PITCHER OF THE WEEK HONORS
Feb. 16 – Lexie Elkins (Student-Athlete of the Week)

all-time RAGIN’ CAJUNS SOFTBALL SUN BELT STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
2016: Lexie Elkins (2/16)
2015: Lexie Elkins (3/23); Lexie Elkins (4/20); Aleah Craighton (5/4)
2014: Lexie Elkins (2/10); Natalie Fernandez (3/24); Lexie Elkins (4/7)
2013: Brianna Cherry (2/25); Nerissa Myers (4/8); Nerissa Myers (4/29)
2012: Christi Orgeron (2/13); Christi Orgeron (2/20); Nerissa Myers (3/5); Nerissa Myers (3/19); Christi Orgeron (3/26); Christi Orgeron (4/23)
2011: Gabriele Bridges (2/14); Christi Orgeron (3/7); Gabriel Bridges (3/21); Christi Orgeron (4/18); Gabriele Bridges (5/2); Gabriele Bridges (5/9)
2010: Vallie Gaspard (2/15); Christi Orgeron (3/8); Christi Orgeron (3/29)
2009: Gabriele Bridges (2/16); Karli Hubbard (3/16); Gabriele Bridges (4/6); Christi Orgeron (4/20); Christi Orgeron (4/27)
2008: Melissa Verde (2/11); Holly Tankersley (3/10); Holly Tankersley (4/14)
2007: Codi Runyan (2/12); Holly Tankersley (2/19); Holly Tankersley (2/26); Holly Tankersley (3/12); Holly Tankersley (3/19); Melissa Verde (4/23)
2006: Danyele Gomez (2/14); Danyele Gomez (2/21); Danyele Gomez (4/3); Danyele Gomez (4/10); Danyele Gomez (4/24); Codi Runyan (5/8)
2005: Jill Robertson (2/21); Crystal George (3/14); Jill Robertson (4/18); Danyele Gomez (4/25); Danyele Gomez (5/2)
2004: Holly Tankersley (2/17); Holly Tankersley (3/2); Holly Tankersley (4/5); Holly Tankersley (5/3)
2003: Becky McMurtry (3/4); Danyele Gomez (3/13); Becky McMurtry (4/7); Danyele Gomez (4/14); Becky McMurtry (5/5)
2002: Alana Addison (3/18); Becky McMurtry (3/25); Jerie Alexander (4/1); Alana Addison (4/15); Missy Martin (4/22); Becky McMurtry (4/29)
2001: Alana Addison (3/19); Missy Martin (3/26); Alana Addison (4/2); Jerie Alexander (4/23); Jana Mower (4/30)
2000: Tiffany Clark (3/13); Alana Addison (3/27); Jana Mower (4/10); Tiffany Clark (4/17)

 

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