Softball: Wallace’s Efforts Against Baylor Produce LSWA Honors

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns softball senior pitcher Jordan Wallace has been named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Pitcher of the Week, the organization announced on Monday, for her efforts in a 3-1 victory over No. 14 Baylor last Saturday at Lamson Park.
 
Wallace (13-2, 1.76 ERA, 149 K) becomes the third Ragin’ Cajuns pitcher this season to earn the state’s top pitching honor. Christina Hamilton (March 23) and Alex Stewart (March 30) have also earned the honor.
 
Saturday’s win over No. 14 Baylor improved Wallace to 3-1 vs. ranked teams in 2015. She has recorded wins over No. 4 Alabama (Feb. 28), No. 24 South Alabama (March 7) and No. 14 Baylor (April 11).
 
The Weatherford, Texas, native posted her 12th career victory against a ranked foe. Her career mark against ranked opponents stands at 12-11.
 
Wallace struck out five of the 10 batters that she faced through the first three innings, including striking out the side in the second inning. Only two Bears reached base during the time frame, a bunt single in the first inning and a two-out walk in the third inning.
 
After a Sarah Smith solo home run in the fourth inning trimmed the Ragin’ Cajuns lead to 2-1, Wallace retired the next eight Baylor batters in order to protect the lead.
 
"Jordan was ‘locked in’ versus Baylor," Louisiana softball head coach Michael Lotief said. "She attacked the zone, trusted her stuff and had fun competing with her teammates on Senior Day."
 
The performance allowed Wallace to win a pitcher’s duel with Baylor’s Heather Stearns who held Louisiana’s offense without a hit after Lexie Elkins‘ two-run home run in the first inning. For the eighth time in nine of her starts that have lasted seven innings, she held the opposition to three hits or fewer.
 
"If that indeed was her curtain call for the home crowd," Lotief added. "That was the type of performance that we’ve grown accustomed to over her career."
 
No. 10 Louisiana (32-5, 15-3 Sun Belt) is scheduled to wrap up the home portion of the regular season schedule on Wednesday, April 15 hosting Houston (19-23, 4-4 American Athletic) in a 6 p.m., single game. The Cajuns then return to Sun Belt Conference play in Boone, N.C., visiting Appalachian State (10-26, 1-17 Sun Belt) for a series Saturday-Sunday, April 18-19.
 
2015 RAGIN’ CAJUNS LSWA WEEKLY HONORS
Mar. 23 – Christina Hamilton (Pitcher of the Week)
Mar. 30 – Lexie Elkins (Player of the Week)
Mar. 30 – Alex Stewart (Pitcher of the Week)
Apr. 13 – Jordan Wallace (Pitcher of the Week)