Softball: Redfearn transfers to Cajuns

Daily Advertiser, July 17, 2012

Special to the Advertiser

The UL Ragin’ Cajuns softball program announced Monday the addition of Shelbi Redfearn, who is transferring from Baylor after her sophomore season. She will be eligible to play during the 2013 season as a junior.

"We recruited Shelbi out of high school and she attended our camps, so we are very familiar with her," UL co-head coach Michael Lotief said. "She is very strong and athletic and is an intense competitor. Her energy level and passion for the game is contagious.

"She’s been to the WCWS, playing the game at the highest level, and now comes to Cajun Country to be pushed to be better and go further," Lotief added. "She comes from a great family and we are happy to finally welcome her to ours."

A native of Stillwater, Okla., Redfearn appeared in 95 games at Baylor the past two seasons, garnering 78 starts.

As a freshman in 2011, she started 48 games and led the Bears in sacrifice flies (4), tied for second in doubles (7) and ranked third in home runs (5). Last season, Redfearn appeared in 42 games and tied for the team lead in home runs.

Redfearn, an outfielder, committed only three errors in 92 chances and ended her two-year stay in Waco, Texas, with 19 extra base hits (11 doubles, eight home runs).

She helped guide Baylor to a pair of NCAA postseason appearances — including a trip to Lamson Park for an NCAA Regional back in May — and was a member of the 2011 Baylor squad that advanced to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.

"Even though I played at Baylor University for two years, UL has always been my dream school," Redfearn said. "I am ready to start this new chapter in my life and I am excited for the opportunity to be a Ragin’ Cajun."

Redfearn was ranked as the nation’s No. 21 recruit according to ESPN RISE coming out of Stillwater High School. The four-year letterwinner was named a 2010 third team ESPN RISE All-American.

The right-handed slugger left her mark in the Stillwater High record books, finishing first in home runs (18), doubles (42), second in hits (159) and stolen bases (39), and third in batting average (.384) and RBIs (88).

Redfearn collected first team all-conference honors in 2007-08, was the co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2008-09 and was named the 2009-10 Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

The Pioneers were regional champions during her freshman and sophomore campaigns, advancing to the state tournament. She played club softball with Tulsa Elite Gold.

Redfearn intends to complete a degree in speech pathology while competing with the Ragin’ Cajuns. Her future plans include attending graduate school to work toward becoming a certified speech pathologist and eventually work in geriatric speech development.

Redfearn joins the Ragin’ Cajuns 2012-13 signing class which includes Shyanne McDowell of Haughton, Corin Voinche’ of Teurlings Catholic, Shellie Landry of St. Thomas More, Sara Corbello of Barbe in Lake Charles, Gabby Felps of St. Amant and Kelsey Vincent of Tomball, Texas, all who signed a national letter of intent during the early signing period in November.