Ragin' Cajuns Softball 2016 Preview: Outfielders

LAFAYETTE – Like their counterparts in the infield, the group of outfielders for the 11th-ranked Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball team will feature familiar faces patrolling the field in 2016.

Left fielder Shellie Landry, now a senior and "Watch List" candidate for USA Softball Player of the Year, is once again the veteran leader of the group that features three returning starters. Aleah Craighton and Kelli Martinez, who like Landry started all 54 games in 2015, are trading spaces.

Kassidy Zeringue, a defensive sub in left field the previous two seasons, could see time as a starter in right field.

Landry and Craighton, who combined hit 32 home runs and clubbed 63 extra base hits last season, provide the power. Martinez and Zeringue give the Ragin' Cajuns a slap hitter's presence in the lineup.

Landry (Broussard, La./St. Thomas More HS) returned to left field in 2015 – where she started as a freshman – after spending 2014 in right field. Back in familiar surroundings she delivered an All-American campaign, recording new personal bests for average (.372), runs (49), hits (64), doubles (16), home runs (20), total bases (142) and extra base hits (37).

She was named to the NFCA Division I All-America Second Team, joining Alyson Habetz (1994) and Karli Hubbard (2009) as Lafayette area natives to be named an All-American.

"One of my favorite things as a coach is to reflect on the seniors and remember where they were when they started as freshmen," Louisiana softball head coach Michael Lotief said. "Shellie has always been fiercely competitive and very intense – that's a product of being the daughter of a former UL volleyball player.

"She has continued to grow and develop into one of the top college athletes in the country," Lotief added. "She has a commitment to excellence in everything she does – school, softball, community service, family – and she is an incredible leader."

The St. Thomas More High product was a dominant presence both nationally and within the Sun Belt Conference in 2015. She ranked Top 20 in the NCAA in total home runs and home runs per game and Top 50 in slugging percentage (.826) and RBI per game (1.09). She was Top 5 amongst all Sun Belt players in RBI, home runs, slugging percentage and total bases, resulting in first team All-SBC honors a second straight season.

"She is a joy to be around every day, bringing a great attitude, caring about her team and others around her and always working hard to improve," Lotief stated. "This senior class has been so consistent in how they conduct their business and Shellie has had such a major influence in setting a standard of excellence."

Craighton (Prairieville, La./Dutchtown HS) debuted collegiately in 2015, after redshirting in 2014. She started in right field and provided an immediate impact in the lineup producing 26 extra base hits (10 doubles, 4 triples, 12 home runs), which ranked fifth on team, and was one of four Cajuns to generate 50 base hits.

A .360-plus hitter all of last season, she ended the season as one of the Cajuns' hottest hitters, hitting .522 (12-of-23) with 10 runs scored, five home runs and 14 RBI over the final three weekends of the regular season.

"Aleah has the athleticism and tools to play any of the outfield positions," Lotief remarked. "She has speed, great reactions and jumps on balls off the bat, arm strength, and her knowledge of the game and competitiveness allows us the flexibility to play her at any of the three outfield positions. She has continued to develop offensively and work extremely hard day by day to get better."

Martinez (Katy, Texas/Cinco Ranch HS) and Zeringue (Lutcher, La./Lutcher HS) are both working in right field leading up to the start of the 2016 season. Martinez started all 54 games in center field a year ago, serving as the Cajuns' slap hitter in the starting lineup.

Martinez did not commit an error in 56 chances during her freshman season, recording 55 fly ball outs and several dazzling catches. She ranked third on the team with eight stolen bases (8-of-11) and scored at least one run in 24 games.

Zeringue last started as a freshman in 2014, appearing five times in center field. Last season, she served as a late-game defensive substitute for Landry and saw time as a pinch runner.

"They (Martinez and Zeringue) are both plus-speed players who hit from the left side, both slapping and dragging," Lotief said. "Their skill sets are very complimentary – speed and great hand-eye coordination – and can play any outfield position."

Kendall Smith (Ruston, La./Ruston HS), Taylor Terrio (Paulina, La./Nicholls State), Sarah Arceneaux (Broussard, La./St. Thomas More HS) and Jaime Landry (Broussard, La./St. Thomas More HS) are candidates for late-game defensive substitution, as well as pinch-running duties.

Smith enters her third year with the program, having appeared in 71 games including seven starts as a freshman in 2014. She was a defensive substitution five times and pinch runner 21 times last season.

Terrio joined the Ragin' Cajuns last season after spending 2014 as a freshman at Nicholls State, garnering Southland Conference Freshman of the Year honors. She sported a team-best .625 average in pinch-hit situations (5-of-8) in her inaugural Cajuns campaign.

Arceneaux, a junior, adds another upperclassmen to the outfield group. She's worked in left field in previous seasons. Jaime Landry, who redshirted in 2015, will get to step onto the playing field with elder sister, Shellie, for the first time wearing a Cajuns uniform.

The 11th-ranked Ragin' Cajuns start the 2016 season Feb. 12-14 at the Sand Dollar Classic in Gulf Shores, Ala., then make their Lamson Park debut in the Louisiana Classics Feb. 19-21, beginning the tournament with a 2 p.m., doubleheader against Oregon on Feb. 19.

For more information on Ragin' Cajuns softball, fans can follow along with the team on Facebook (/RaginCajunSoftball) and Twitter (@RaginCajunSB).

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Players Mentioned

Sarah Arceneaux

Aleah Craighton

Jaime Landry

Shellie Landry

Kelli Martinez

Kendall Smith

Taylor Terrio

Kassidy Zeringue