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Softball: UL’s Hamilton honored as state’s top female athlete
UL’s Christina Hamilton has been honored with the state’s James J. Corbett Award.(Photo: Associated Press)
NEW ORLEANS UL Ragin’ Cajuns softball All-American Christina Hamilton and Leonard Fournette of St. Augustine High School were selected as the 2013-14 winners of the James J. Corbett Award presented by the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The Corbett Awards are presented annually to the top male and female amateur athletes in the state of Louisiana. They were selected by the Greater New Orleans Sports Awards Committee, a group of current and former media members who also select the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame, the Corbett Awards and the Eddie Robinson Award. This year’s Corbett winners will be recognized along with 27 other individuals and three teams at the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. "We’re so proud of Christina, it was really a magical season last year for all of us," Louisiana softball coach Michael Lotief said. "It’s an individual award for her and it’s a story about persistence, redemption and transformation. She continued to work and grow as the season went on, and was helped and motivated not only by her teammates, but by this wonderful softball community." Hamilton, a native of Rosepine, La., is the fourth student-athlete in school history and the third member of the Ragin’ Cajuns softball team to earn the Corbett Award joining Ashley Brignac (2008) and Christi Orgeron (2011-12). Former Ragin’ Cajuns football standout Tyrell Fenroy, who ended his career as the all-time Louisiana college rushing leader with 4,646 yards, earned the Corbett Award in 2008. Hamilton, who was named a second-team All-American, earned Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year honors after posting a 29-4 record in the circle for the Ragin’ Cajuns. Hamilton went 22-1 during the regular season before earning a pair of wins and helping Louisiana to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship at Lamson Park. The junior added three wins for the Ragin’ Cajuns in the NCAA Regionals, including a pair against Texas before earning both victories in a Super Regional sweep of Arizona, earning the Cajuns their sixth trip the Women’s College World Series. During the season, Hamilton notched nine wins against nationally-ranked teams, including both games in a doubleheader sweep of defending national champion Oklahoma, nearly throwing a no-hitter in the process in the opening game on March 15. Led by Hamilton in the circle, Louisiana finished with a 49-10-1 record and secured the No. 6 national seed in the NCAA Tournament. In addition to earning Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year honors, Hamilton was also the Louisiana Pitcher of the Year. "It’s just a good story, it really is," Lotief said. "It’s inspiring and we’re thankful to the Greater New Orleans Sports Awards Committee for recognizing and considering her. It’s a honor not only for her, but for the program, the University and for this community." The Corbett Award was created in 1967 and named in honor of the late James J. Corbett to commemorate his many contributions to intercollegiate athletics and specifically to the Sugar Bowl. At the time of his death, Corbett was the Athletic Director at Louisiana State University. These awards are presented annually to the most outstanding amateur male and female athletes in the State of Louisiana. The Corbett recipients are selected each year by members of the New Orleans Sports Awards Committee, based on nominations submitted by the state’s sportswriters, sportscasters and sports information directors. — Matt Sullivan Sports Information Director Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns University of Louisiana at Lafayette Cox Communications Athletic Center 201 Reinhardt Drive Lafayette, LA 70506-4297 Office – (337) 482-6330 Mobile – (985) 981-0009 Twitter – @MattSulli123
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