University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Ragin' Cajuns Softball 2015 Preview: Infielders
2/4/2015 6:53:00 PM | Softball
LAFAYETTE – Familiar faces and a pair of new faces will be stationed in the infield in 2015 for the 9th-ranked Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball squad.
Back are returning starters Lexie Elkins (catcher), Kelsey Vincent (first base) and Samantha Walsh (third base). Returning shortstop Corin Voinche is also back, but a knee injury has her sidelined indefinitely.
Joining the aforementioned group in the infield is outfield transplant Haley Hayden, last season's starting center fielder. Filling in for Voinche is true freshman DJ Sanders.
Elkins, the reigning NFCA All-American and Sun Belt Player of the Year, will work with the pitchers as starting catcher for a second straight season. She started 59 of the Cajuns' 60 games in 2014, her first season in Cajun Country after transferring from Texas Tech.
Elkins hit .388 during the 2014 season with 73 hits, 74 RBI and 41 runs scored. Nationally, she ranked fifth in RBI, sixth with 1.25 RBI per game and 11th with a .835 slugging percentage.
"Lexie is one of the best power hitters in the country, and she is tough, smart, competitive and handles the pitching staff," head coach Michael Lotief said. "Lexie has emerged as a leader on our team and has grown in her understanding of investing in the people around her to make them better."
Linzey Cifreo is slated to pinch run for Elkins and play defensively until Elkins' next time up in the batting order.
Vincent solidified the spot at first base as the 2014 season progressed, starting 41 games there. She contributed seven home runs, tallied 27 RBI and induced the second-highest amount of walks (38).
Hayden and Sanders give the Cajuns a new look in the middle infield. A year ago, Hayden patrolled center field 55 of 60 games as a true freshman. Sanders, although a true freshman, comes in heralded as she recently landed a spot on the U.S. Junior National Team.
Hayden hit .332 in her debut campaign with her 15 home runs ranking second on the squad. She was a Top 10 finalist for the NFCA Freshman of the Year.
"Haley is competitive, she knows the game and has good speed and range of motion as well as being strong mentally, so the move will not shake her confidence," Lotief said. "She is a 'whatever' kid and does what's best for the team always before herself.
"She is versatile with experience as an outfielder, infielder and pitcher. We understand there will be a transition period, but offensively she will pick up where she left off."
Sanders was among the 17 athletes selected to the 2015 USA Softball Junior Women's National Team (JWNT). She was a five-year letterwinner in fastpitch and slowpitch softball and basketball at New Hope High School in Columbus, Miss., prior to joining the Cajuns.
"Cajun fans will be reminded of another native Mississippian (Nerissa Myers) who played shortstop at UL when they watch her play," Lotief mentioned. "DJ is another kid who does things the right way - values hard work and preparation, trusting the process, excelling academically and caring for her teammates."
Walsh returns to the "hot corner" of the infield for a second straight season. She started in 56 in her 60 appearances in 2014, primarily at third base. Walsh led Louisiana with 96 assists and ranked fourth with 11 home runs.
Sara Corbello (first base) and Meagan Thomas (second base) could see time on defense. Cassidy White and Kendall Smith could be used to pinch run for Elkins and Vincent, respectively.
#GeauxCajuns
Back are returning starters Lexie Elkins (catcher), Kelsey Vincent (first base) and Samantha Walsh (third base). Returning shortstop Corin Voinche is also back, but a knee injury has her sidelined indefinitely.
Joining the aforementioned group in the infield is outfield transplant Haley Hayden, last season's starting center fielder. Filling in for Voinche is true freshman DJ Sanders.
Elkins, the reigning NFCA All-American and Sun Belt Player of the Year, will work with the pitchers as starting catcher for a second straight season. She started 59 of the Cajuns' 60 games in 2014, her first season in Cajun Country after transferring from Texas Tech.
Elkins hit .388 during the 2014 season with 73 hits, 74 RBI and 41 runs scored. Nationally, she ranked fifth in RBI, sixth with 1.25 RBI per game and 11th with a .835 slugging percentage.
"Lexie is one of the best power hitters in the country, and she is tough, smart, competitive and handles the pitching staff," head coach Michael Lotief said. "Lexie has emerged as a leader on our team and has grown in her understanding of investing in the people around her to make them better."
Linzey Cifreo is slated to pinch run for Elkins and play defensively until Elkins' next time up in the batting order.
Vincent solidified the spot at first base as the 2014 season progressed, starting 41 games there. She contributed seven home runs, tallied 27 RBI and induced the second-highest amount of walks (38).
Hayden and Sanders give the Cajuns a new look in the middle infield. A year ago, Hayden patrolled center field 55 of 60 games as a true freshman. Sanders, although a true freshman, comes in heralded as she recently landed a spot on the U.S. Junior National Team.
Hayden hit .332 in her debut campaign with her 15 home runs ranking second on the squad. She was a Top 10 finalist for the NFCA Freshman of the Year.
"Haley is competitive, she knows the game and has good speed and range of motion as well as being strong mentally, so the move will not shake her confidence," Lotief said. "She is a 'whatever' kid and does what's best for the team always before herself.
"She is versatile with experience as an outfielder, infielder and pitcher. We understand there will be a transition period, but offensively she will pick up where she left off."
Sanders was among the 17 athletes selected to the 2015 USA Softball Junior Women's National Team (JWNT). She was a five-year letterwinner in fastpitch and slowpitch softball and basketball at New Hope High School in Columbus, Miss., prior to joining the Cajuns.
"Cajun fans will be reminded of another native Mississippian (Nerissa Myers) who played shortstop at UL when they watch her play," Lotief mentioned. "DJ is another kid who does things the right way - values hard work and preparation, trusting the process, excelling academically and caring for her teammates."
Walsh returns to the "hot corner" of the infield for a second straight season. She started in 56 in her 60 appearances in 2014, primarily at third base. Walsh led Louisiana with 96 assists and ranked fourth with 11 home runs.
Sara Corbello (first base) and Meagan Thomas (second base) could see time on defense. Cassidy White and Kendall Smith could be used to pinch run for Elkins and Vincent, respectively.
#GeauxCajuns
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