Softball: String of Finishes in Final National Polls Continues for Louisiana

Louisiana’s dominant 2019 performance leads to eighth straight Top 20 finish

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball exited the 2019 season among the nationally ranked teams in the major national polls, continuing several notable streaks for the storied program.
 
Louisiana (52-6, 25-0 Sun Belt) was slotted at No. 18 in the final edition of the USA Today/NFCA poll and No. 17 in the concluding list of the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll – both released on Tuesday – marking the 12th consecutive season with a finish in the final rankings.
 
It’s the 27th overall finish in the final polls within the past 30 seasons, a streak which dates back to 1990.
 
VIEW THE POLLS
USA Today/NFCA Top 25 poll
ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 poll
 
The final rankings capped off a season-long run in the national polls for Louisiana, preseason ranked No. 15/18, in the second season under the guidance of Gerry Glasco.
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns secured the program’s eighth consecutive finish inside the Top 20 of the final national polls with a dominant 50-plus win season which was highlighted by 10 consecutive weeks ranked inside the Top 10 of the polls prior to the start of NCAA postseason play.
 
With the final ranking Louisiana maintains its active streak of consecutive appearances in the Top 25 polls. Dating back to April 2013, the Ragin’ Cajuns have been ranked in every release of the polls – a span of 100 consecutive polls.
 
During the 2019 season, the Ragin’ Cajuns swept the Sun Belt Conference’s regular season and tournament championships, earned the program’s 21st consecutive NCAA tournament bid and advanced to Championship Sunday of the regional round for the 12th consecutive year.
 
Louisiana surpassed the 40-win plateau for the 21st straight season, recorded the program’s first 50-win campaign since 2012 and posted its 38th straight winning season (dating back to 1982).
 
Sparked by a group effort led by Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Alissa Dalton and NFCA All-American pitcher Summer Ellyson, the 2019 squad also established a school-record 29-game winning streak and turned in only the second undefeated conference record in Sun Belt Conference history.
 
RAGIN’ CAJUNS IN THE 2019 POLLS
Week               NFCA    ESPN/USA
Preseason            15            18
Feb. 12-18            13            13
Feb. 19-25            10            11
Feb. 26-Mar. 4      11            11
Mar. 5-11              11            12
Mar. 12-18            10            11
Mar. 19-25             9              9
Mar. 26-Apr. 1      10            11
Apr. 2-8                10            10
Apr. 9-15              10            10
Apr. 16-22            10            11
Apr. 23-29             8              8
Apr. 30-May 6       8             10
May 7-13               7              8
May 14-20             7              9
FINAL                   18            17
 
12 STRAIGHT SEASONS IN FINAL RANKINGS (2008-19)
Season            NFCA     ESPN/USA
2008                   6               6
2009                  25               –
2010                  16              17
2011                  23              25
2012                  12               9
2013                  12              15
2014                   8               8
2015                  11              11
2016                  12              14
2017                  19              19
2018                  18              19
2019                  18              17
 
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