Softball Begins Fall Practice Thursday Afternoon

LAFAYETTE – The 2017 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball team is set to take the field for the first time this school year on Thursday, Oct. 6, holding the first team practice of the fall season at Lamson Park.

"We are excited to start scrimmaging and start the team building portion of our fall season," head coach Michael Lotief said. "We have a lot of 'new faces' and obviously have some 'big holes to fill'. These athletes are embracing that challenge with lots of enthusiasm and hard work."

The Ragin' Cajuns, 46-9 during the 2016 season, are coming off of a fifth straight appearance in the NCAA Super Regionals. A total of 26 players return from the 2016 squad as Louisiana enters its 15th season under Lotief's guidance.

Despite losing four starters in the batting order to graduation, the Ragin' Cajuns return the majority of their everyday starters including career .360-hitter Haley Hayden and home run threats Aleah Craighton and DJ Sanders who both clubbed 18 home runs last season.

All pitchers from last year's unit, which ranked Top 10 nationally in ERA, return. 2016 All-American and Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year Alex Stewart (29-6, 1.94 ERA) is joined by veterans Victoria Brown, Macey Smith and Kylee Jo Trahan, as well as sophomore Alison Deville and redshirt freshman Summer Ellyson.

The Ragin' Cajuns welcome nine newcomers to the roster. The group includes Kansas transfer Daniella Chavez, the 2015 Big 12 co-Freshman of the Year, and a freshman class of eight that includes four pitchers and Kourtney Gremillion, the younger sister of Kara Gremillion who debuted and started at third base last season.

"The growth process will take time, hard work and lots of struggle, too," Lotief stated. "But these athletes are very athletically talented and mentally committed to be their very best day-by-day.

"We will post our weekend scrimmage dates and times and welcome all of our fans to come out to watch and cheer these kids on."

An exhibition with the National ProFaspitch's USSSA Pride, set for Monday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. at Lamson Park, will give fans their first look at the 2017 team. Advance tickets – $100 VIP package which includes five tickets and a parking pass – are on sale now through Monday, Oct. 10 at Noon and can be purchased by calling the Cajundome Box Office at (337) 265-2100, the Ragin' Cajuns Softball office at (337) 262-2283 or sending an e-mail to softball@louisiana.edu.

Ragin' Cajuns Softball has won three straight Sun Belt Conference championships and 14 overall in the 16 years of league competition since 2001. The program has appeared in the NCAA Tournament 18 consecutive years and 26 times overall in the past 27 years dating back to 1990. Last season, the Ragin' Cajuns hosted an NCAA Regional at Lamson Park for the fourth time in the past five years (2012, 2014-16) and advanced to an NCAA Super Regional for the fifth straight year (2012-16).

For more information on Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball, as well as all of Ragin' Cajuns Athletics, visit RaginCajuns.com. Fans can also follow along with the team on Facebook (/RaginCajunSoftball),Twitter (@RaginCajunSB) and Instagram (@RaginCajunsSoftball).

#GeauxCajuns

Players Mentioned

Victoria Brown

Aleah Craighton

Alison Deville

Summer Ellyson

Kara Gremillion

Haley Hayden

DJ Sanders

Macey Smith

Alex Stewart

Kylee Jo Trahan