Landry Rewarded For Efforts in Troy Series Sweep

LAFAYETTE – Shellie Landry generated four extra base hits, out of six total, and tallied a series-high eight RBI in the No. 5-ranked Ragin' Cajuns softball team's sweep of Troy on Easter Weekend. On Monday, she was rewarded with Sun Belt Conference Student-Athlete of the Week honors.

The senior left fielder received the first Sun Belt weekly honor of her career.

She becomes the fourth Ragin' Cajun to be honored with a weekly award by the league this season, joining Lexie Elkins (Student-Athlete of the Week, Feb. 16), Kylee Jo Trahan (Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week, March 1) and DJ Sanders (Student-Athlete of the Week, Mar. 8) as honorees.

Landry hit .600 (6-for-10), homered in both games of the series-opening doubleheader finishing with three total and posted multiple-RBI all three games of the series. She collected 17 total bases in 10 at bats for a 1.700 slugging percentage.

Her eight RBI marked the highest tally by a Cajuns hitter in a weekend series in the 2016 season.

"She has the mindset and physical capabilities to take over a series – or a game – and that's exactly what she did this past weekend," Louisiana softball head coach Michael Lotief said. "She was locked in and took the series over first with her leadership, and then with what she did at the plate."

A 2016 USA Softball Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List member and three-time All-Sun Belt Conference performer, Landry becomes the 22nd different Ragin' Cajuns softball player to earn the weekly hitting award from the SBC. Her honor marks the 76th student-athlete of the week honor all-time for Louisiana since the league began bestowing the honor in 2000.

The Broussard, La., native and St. Thomas More High School product finished the Good Friday doubleheader sweep of Troy 5-for-8 at the plate with three home runs and six RBI. Louisiana swept the twin bill 11-0, 8-1 to secure the series victory, the 24th consecutive series triumph dating back to March 2013.

Landry had two home runs in Game 1 of the doubleheader – a solo home run to open the scoring in the first inning and two-run homer in the seventh that triggered a five-run frame that broke open a 6-0 contest. Her three-run home run in Game 2 increased Louisiana's lead to 6-0.

In Saturday's 8-0 (5 inn.) series finale win, she capped off the scoring in an eight-run first inning with a two-run triple – her first triple of the season.

"What you're starting to see is that she is a leader and a fiery competitor," Lotief added. "She has one speed and that's 'get after it'.

"I think that kind of consistency, added to the fact that she works so hard and prepares so hard, and she competes the highest level every time out…it provides energy and passion for our team."

Landry (.345, 7 HR, 29 RBI) and the No. 5-ranked Ragin' Cajuns (25-2, 7-1 Sun Belt) conclude their current eight-game road trip, which began March 19 at UT Arlington, by traveling to Waco, Texas on Tuesday for a 5 p.m. doubleheader with No. 20 Baylor (26-6, 2-0 Big 12) at Getterman Stadium. The twinbill features two of the nation's hottest teams: Louisiana has won 19 of its last 20 games and Baylor has won of 17 of its last 20 games. Tuesday's games will be televised on Fox Sports Plus and broadcasted on Talk Radio 960-AM.

Following the Baylor doubleheader, No. 5 Louisiana returns to Lamson Park this weekend (April 2-3) for a Sun Belt Conference series against Texas State (23-11, 4-5 Sun Belt).

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

2016 RAGIN' CAJUNS SUN BELT STUDENT-ATHLETE/PITCHER OF THE WEEK HONORS
Feb. 16 - Lexie Elkins (Student-Athlete of the Week)
Mar. 1 - Kylee Jo Trahan (Pitcher of the Week)
Mar. 8 – DJ Sanders (Student-Athlete of the Week)
Mar. 28 – Shellie Landry (Student-Athlete of the Week)

ALL-TIME RAGIN' CAJUNS SOFTBALL SUN BELT STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
2016: Lexie Elkins (2/16); DJ Sanders (3/8); Shellie Landry (3/28)
2015: Lexie Elkins (3/23); Lexie Elkins (4/20); Aleah Craighton (5/4)
2014: Lexie Elkins (2/10); Natalie Fernandez (3/24); Lexie Elkins (4/7)
2013: Brianna Cherry (2/25); Nerissa Myers (4/8); Nerissa Myers (4/29)
2012: Christi Orgeron (2/13); Christi Orgeron (2/20); Nerissa Myers (3/5); Nerissa Myers (3/19); Christi Orgeron (3/26); Christi Orgeron (4/23)
2011: Gabriele Bridges (2/14); Christi Orgeron (3/7); Gabriel Bridges (3/21); Christi Orgeron (4/18); Gabriele Bridges (5/2); Gabriele Bridges (5/9)
2010: Vallie Gaspard (2/15); Christi Orgeron (3/8); Christi Orgeron (3/29)
2009: Gabriele Bridges (2/16); Karli Hubbard (3/16); Gabriele Bridges (4/6); Christi Orgeron (4/20); Christi Orgeron (4/27)
2008: Melissa Verde (2/11); Holly Tankersley (3/10); Holly Tankersley (4/14)
2007: Codi Runyan (2/12); Holly Tankersley (2/19); Holly Tankersley (2/26); Holly Tankersley (3/12); Holly Tankersley (3/19); Melissa Verde (4/23)
2006: Danyele Gomez (2/14); Danyele Gomez (2/21); Danyele Gomez (4/3); Danyele Gomez (4/10); Danyele Gomez (4/24); Codi Runyan (5/8)
2005: Jill Robertson (2/21); Crystal George (3/14); Jill Robertson (4/18); Danyele Gomez (4/25); Danyele Gomez (5/2)
2004: Holly Tankersley (2/17); Holly Tankersley (3/2); Holly Tankersley (4/5); Holly Tankersley (5/3)
2003: Becky McMurtry (3/4); Danyele Gomez (3/13); Becky McMurtry (4/7); Danyele Gomez (4/14); Becky McMurtry (5/5)
2002: Alana Addison (3/18); Becky McMurtry (3/25); Jerie Alexander (4/1); Alana Addison (4/15); Missy Martin (4/22); Becky McMurtry (4/29)
2001: Alana Addison (3/19); Missy Martin (3/26); Alana Addison (4/2); Jerie Alexander (4/23); Jana Mower (4/30)
2000: Tiffany Clark (3/13); Alana Addison (3/27); Jana Mower (4/10); Tiffany Clark (4/17)

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Players Mentioned

Aleah Craighton

Lexie Elkins

Shellie Landry

DJ Sanders

Kylee Jo Trahan