Softball: Ragin’ Cajuns Rise Into Top 20 of Both National Softball Polls
No. 16/19 Louisiana jumps six spots in NFCA ranking, five spots in ESPN/USA Softball list
LAFAYETTE – On the strength of a 5-0 season-opening weekend, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball made a significant move in the first regular season edition of both the USA Today/NFCA poll and ESPN.com/USA Softball poll.
Louisiana moved up six positions from its preseason ranking in the NFCA poll, climbing into the Top 20 at No. 16.
In the ESPN/USA Softball ranking, the Ragin’ Cajuns rose five spots from their preseason selection and into the Top 20 at the No. 19 slot.
USA Today/NFCA Top 25 poll
ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 poll
The Ragin’ Cajuns opened the 2018 season and the Gerry Glasco era unblemished in the Mardi Gras Classic contested last weekend at Lamson Park and the Broussard Sports Complex.
The squad hit .380, led by the quartet of Beth Ashley, Alissa Dalton, Kara Gremillion and Brittany Rodriguez who each had at least seven hits. The lineup also swiped 17 stolen bases and had only four errors over 135 total chances.
Louisiana was also strong in the pitching circle, limiting foes to one run or fewer in four of five games. Kylee Jo Trahan picked up three wins as she limited foes to five hits and a .098 average over 15 innings. Summer Ellyson debuted by striking out a school-record 20 for a seven-inning game on Friday vs. Evansville.
No. 16/19 Louisiana returns to Lamson Park on Thursday, Feb. 15 for a 6 p.m. single game with Oregon State (4-1). Then over the weekend, the Ragin’ Cajuns battle No. 2/2 Florida (5-0) in a three-game weekend series that begins with a 3 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 17.
The OSU contest and the series-opening doubleheader with Florida will be aired on Cox Sports Television and simulcast on ESPN3 outside of the CST viewing areas.
For more information on Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball, as well as all of Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics, visit RaginCajuns.com. Fans can also follow along with the team on Facebook (/RaginCajunsSB) and Twitter (@RaginCajunsSB).
RAGIN’ CAJUNS IN THE 2018 POLLS
Week NFCA ESPN/USA
Preseason 22 24
Feb. 13-19 16 19
#GeauxCajuns
