Softball Peview: Alabama Series

Games 7-9: No. 18 Louisiana (4-2, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. No. 4 Alabama (6-0, 0-0 SEC)
Friday, Feb. 17 • 5 p.m. (CST) • Lamson Park (2,790) • Lafayette, La.
Saturday, Feb. 18 • 1 p.m. (CST) • Lamson Park (2,790) • Lafayette, La.
Sunday, Feb. 19 • 1 p.m. (CST) • Lamson Park (2,790) • Lafayette, La.

WEEKEND PROMOTIONS
Friday – Wear Red; free Ragin' Cajuns bandana first 250 fans
(Director of Athletics Dr. Bryan Maggard throws first pitch)
Saturday – Wear White; free Ragin' Cajuns bandana first 250 fans
(Recognition of Ragin' Cajuns alums Pat Murphy and Alyson Habtez)
Sunday – Wear Black; free Ragin' Cajuns bandana first 250 fans

Game Notes (PDF): Louisiana | Alabama
Radio: ESPN 1420-AM • Talent: Steve Peloquin, PxP
TV: None
Live Stats: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
Live Video (FREE)
Rosters: Louisiana | Alabama
Schedules: Louisiana | Alabama
2017 Stats: Louisiana | Alabama
Ragin' Cajuns Twitter: @ULRaginCajuns | @RaginCajunSB
Opponents' Twitter: @AlabamaSB

THE COACHES
Louisiana: Michael Lotief (Louisiana, 1985)
Record at Louisiana: 688-170-1 (15th season) Career Record: Same

Alabama: Pat Murphy (Northern Iowa, 1988)
Record at Alabama: 947-255 (19th season) Career Record: 975-275 (20th season)

5 THINGS TO KNOW
1 - The Ragin' Cajuns continue their season-opening, 23-game homestand at Lamson Park. The squad will enjoy the comforts of home through March 7.

2 - Former Cajuns assistant Pat Murphy (Alabama head coach) and student-athlete Alyson Habetz (Alabama associate head coach) return to where their softball journey began – right here in Lafayette at Lamson Park.

3 - The weather forecast looks ideal once again, both in temperature and precipitation, so great crowds can be expected. Crowds on opening weekend of the 2017 season exceeded 2,000 each day – 6,614 total for an average of 2,204.

4 - Dr. Bryan Maggard, the newly appointed director of athletics for Louisiana, will be in attendance on Friday and will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

5 - Don't leave your seat during game action. The Ragin' Cajuns already own two dramatic comeback wins (walk-off vs. DePaul and 6th inning rally vs. Ball State).

FOR STARTERS
No. 18 Louisiana (4-2) is in the midst of a season-opening, 23-game homestand that continues at Lamson Park Friday-Sunday, Feb. 17-19 with a three-game series against No. 4 Alabama (6-0). The series opener is Friday at 5 p.m., followed by 1 p.m. single games on Saturday and Sunday. The Crimson Tide's visit to Lamson Park is a return of the Ragin' Cajuns' trip to Tuscaloosa back in the 2015 season. The two programs are meeting in Lafayette for the first time since March 2003.

THE CHOSEN FEW
Louisiana and Alabama are part of a group of only nine schools that have played in every NCAA Tournament since 2000. The group also includes: Arizona, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, UCLA and Washington.

POSTSEASON PRIMER
The Ragin' Cajuns-Crimson Tide series mirrors the new format adopted for NCAA Super Regionals beginning this year. Like this weekend's series, the Super Regional round will consist of single games over a three-day period. The atmosphere at Lamson Park will be similar to what both squads would expect to see in the NCAA Tournament.

WELCOME, DR. MAGGARD
Newly appointed director of athletics, Dr. Bryan Maggard, is attending his first Ragin' Cajuns softball game on Friday. Dr. Maggard will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of the Ragin' Cajuns-Crimson Tide series opener.

HOMECOMING
For Alabama head coach Pat Murphy and associate head coach Alyson Habetz, the weekend series is a return to where their softball journey began. Murphy broke into college softball as an assistant coach at then-USL for Yvette Girouard from 1990-94 while working on his master's degree. Habetz played both softball and women's basketball for the Ragin' Cajuns as a student-athlete from 1990-95 and is a native of nearby Crowley.

BEST OF THE BEST
Louisiana and Alabama both turn out All-American performers on an annual basis. This weekend's series features a pair of All-American pitchers from the 2016 season: Alex Stewart (Louisiana) and Sydney Littlejohn (Alabama). The Ragin' Cajuns also feature All-American outfielder Aleah Craighton.

PROTECTING THE HOME FIELD
The Ragin' Cajuns have had the upper-hand vs. Top 25 teams at Lamson Park recently. In 2014, Louisiana claimed a 2-1 series win over then-No. 13 Oklahoma (March 14-15, 2014). Last season, No. 5 Oregon visited for the 30th Annual Louisiana Classics and Louisiana picked up the win in two of the three matchups with Alex Stewart notching the win both times.

LOUISIANA-ALABAMA SERIES
Series Record: Alabama leads 5-4
In Lafayette: Louisiana leads 2-0
In Tuscaloosa, Ala.: Alabama leads 4-1
Neutral Site: Tied 1-1
Current Streak: Alabama won 1
Last Meeting: 3/1/15 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
(Alabama 3, Louisiana 2)
In NCAA Tournament: Alabama leads 1-0

All-Time Meetings
2/22/97            LA 3, BAMA 0           Lamson Park (Louisiana Classics)
3/27/03            LA 2, BAMA 0           Lamson Park
3/3/07              BAMA 6, LA 0           Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Easton Spring Fling)
3/4/07              BAMA 6 , LA 3          Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Easton Spring Fling)
5/31/08            BAMA 3, LA 1           Oklahoma City, Okla. (2008 WCWS)
3/4/11              LA 1, BAMA 0           Kissimmee, Fla. (Citrus Classic)
2/28/15            BAMA 5, LA 1           Tuscaloosa, Ala.
2/28/15            LA 2, BAMA 1           Tuscaloosa, Ala.
3/1/15              BAMA 3, LA 2           Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Series Notes
Alabama's first visit to Lamson Park since March 2003...First-ever weekend series in Lafayette (previous two meetings were single games)...Louisiana is 2-0 at Lamson Park vs. Alabama, both wins being shutouts...Programs last met for a weekend series during the 2015 season at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa (lone prior weekend set)...Seven of the previous nine meetings were decided by three runs or less...Series began in February 1997 when Alabama visited Lamson Park for the 11th Annual Louisiana Classics tournament... Lone postseason matchup came at 2008 Women's College World Series (Crimson Tide won 3-1 to eliminate Cajuns).

Last Meeting (Feb. 28-March 1, 2015 - Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
After weather delayed the start of the series, the Ragin' Cajuns and Crimson Tide split a doubleheader on Saturday. In the opener, Haylie McCleaney went 2-for-3 and scored a pair of runs while Sydney Littlejohn scattered three hits and fanned five as Alabama took a 5-1 victory. Samantha Walsh went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a pair of RBI as Louisiana claimed the nightcap 2-1 behind Jordan Wallace who scattered five hits. In the series finale on Sunday, McCleaney's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning scored pinch-runner Andrea Hawkins and lifted No. 4-ranked Alabama to a 3-2 victory. A solo home run by Shellie Landry in the top of the seventh off of Littlejohn had forged a 2-all tie.

Last Time at Lamson Park (March 27, 2003)
Brooke Mitchell went the distance striking out seven, walking two and allowing just one hit and Louisiana received RBI doubles from Lauren Castle and Joy Webre in posting a 2-0 win over Alabama. After a hitless first inning, the Ragin' Cajuns managed to push across the winning run with a two-out double by Castle in the second inning. Stephanie VanBrakle took the loss for UA. She went three innings, struck out five and allowed one run on two hits.

THE WEEK THAT WAS
Louisiana began the 2017 season with the 31st Annual Louisiana Classics at Lamson Park. The Ragin' Cajuns posted identical 9-1 victories over DePaul and Iowa State on opening day. On Saturday, the squad rallied in dramatic fashion for wins over DePaul and Ball State. The weekend ended with Southern Miss claiming both matchups on Sunday, holding off a Cajuns rally in Game 1 before walking off with a win in Game 2.

NO QUIT CAJUNS
One thing was evident during opening weekend of the 2017 season: the Ragin' Cajuns will battle until the final pitch. The squad delivered a pair of thrilling come-from-behind wins over DePaul and Ball State last Saturday. Down to the last out in the bottom of the seventh, Daniella Chavez delivered a two-run walkoff single to notch a 4-3 win over DePaul (Cajuns entered the frame trailing 3-1). Louisiana fell behind 3-0 in the second inning against Ball State, but battled back with seven runs over the final three at bats to claim the win.

CLUTCH IN THE STRETCH
The Ragin' Cajuns showed during opening weekend that they can come through with the clutch at bats in the late stages of the game. Of the 35 runs scored, a total of 24 came over the final two innings. Louisiana held a 24-9 advantage in runs over the sixth and seventh innings.

SPARKPLUG
Kelli Martinez played a hand in both Louisiana rallies for the win last Saturday. She led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a single and scored the first of three runs that led to a walk-off 4-3 win over DePaul. In the nightcap vs. Ball State, she delivered a bases-loaded slap single down the left field line to knot the score at 3-all and set the stage for Kara Gremillion's single that scored the go-ahead runs.

SUN BELT HONORS MARTINEZ
Kelli Martinez was the recipient of the first Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week award for the 2017 season. Martinez led all players in the 31st Annual Louisiana Classics with nine hits, picking up a hit in all six games and totaling three multiple-hit games. She finished the season-opening weekend event 9-for-19 at the plate for a .474 average with six runs scored and four RBI from the nine-spot in the lineup.

REACHING FOR MORE
All three of Aleah Craighton's hits during the Louisiana Classics went for extra bases (two triples, one home run). The junior outfielder continued to build up a career trend which has seen over 50 percent of her 112 career base hits go for extra bases. Craighton owns 61 career extra base hits, a representation of 54 percent of her career hits.

SOLID COMBO
Alex Stewart and Alyssa Denham combined to toss 26 innings in the pitching circle and limit foes to 16 hits during the Louisiana Classics. The duo each started two games over the weekend.

PASSING THE TEST
In her debut as the leadoff hitter, Kara Gremillion was ready. The sophomore third baseman reached base 11 times in 25 plate appearances and did not strikeout until Sunday (two strikeouts the entire weekend). She could have been aboard the base path more as she made solid contact on Sunday, but balls were hit right at defenders.

THE CORE FOUR
Despite losing a heralded group of sluggers from the 2016 team– namely Sara Corbello, Lexie Elkins, Shellie Landry and Kelsey Vincent – to graduation, the Ragin' Cajuns returned the majority of their everyday starters including career .360-hitter Haley Hayden, home run threats Aleah Craighton and DJ Sanders who both clubbed 18 home runs last season and Kara Gremillion, who finished the 2016 season as one of the team's hottest hitters (hit .457 in May).

PITCHING REMAINS INTACT
In the pitching circle, the Ragin' Cajuns bring back the entire group from last season. 2016 All-American and Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year Alex Stewart (29-6, 1.94 ERA) returns as the team's lead pitcher for a staff that ranked Top 10 nationally with a 2.06 ERA.

STEPPING UP
A pair of players who have worked their way through the system, after redshirting during their freshman season, made their debut opening weekend. Sophomore Lexie Comeaux was behind the plate catching, while redshirt freshman Beth Ashley took over in right field.

A DIFFERENT STYLE OF PLAY
It stands to reason that the Ragin' Cajuns offense will feature a new look in 2017 given the amount of power and production that departed after the 2016 season. Head coach Michael Lotief foresees a different approach than the previous two years. "I think this team will be more suited toward pitching and defense," Lotief said. "I do not anticipate us scoring all the runs or hitting all the home runs like we've done the past couple of seasons."

IT'S ALL IN THE FAMILY
Michael Lotief's journey as head coach of the Ragin' Cajuns began alongside his wife, Stefni, serving as co-head coach with her from 2003-12. Now their daughter, Chelsea, gets to write her chapter with her father. After redshirting in 2016, Chelsea is set to take the field for the first time. She's projected to serve as one of the squad's main pinch runners.

FITTED FOR THE ROLE
Kara Gremillion, last year's nine-hole hitter, has moved to the leadoff spot in the batting order for the 2017 season. Given last season's performance at the plate, it seems like a natural fit. As a freshman in 2016, Gremillion displayed poise at the plate, with 30 walks against 11 strikeouts in 173 plate appearances (.480 on base percentage).

MRS. VERSATILITY
Haley Hayden's move to first base marks the third position she's played in a Ragin' Cajuns uniform. The senior from West Monroe patrolled center field as a freshman in 2014 and covered second base the past two seasons.

SHE'S DEPENDABLE, TOO
Throughout her career, Haley Hayden has proved to be the Ragin' Cajuns' most consistent hitter. Last season was a prime example of the stability Hayden provides in the lineup – hit .362 in February, .360 in March, .388 in April and .390 in May. She's produced at least 60 runs and 60 hits each of the past three years. Last season, she had at least one base hit in 45 of 55 games, had 10 different hitting streaks, and went the entire season without consecutive hitless games.

THE DYNAMIC DUO
A year ago, the rise of Aleah Craighton and DJ Sanders as prolific hitters was on display as they both hit 18 home runs. Now it's their turn to be the force in the heart of the lineup. Craighton has tallied 20-plus extra base hits the first two years of her career. Of her 109 career base hits, over 50 percent (58) have produced extra bases. Sanders saw a significant increase in power (from four home runs as a freshman to 18) and run production (from 27 RBI as a freshman to 58) during the 2016 season.

DIAMOND NOTES
#EveryoneLovesLamson: Due in large part to the softball savvy fan base and the "joie de vivre" (exuberant enjoyment of life) of the Cajun culture, Lamson Park leaves a lasting impression on visitors. That was affirmed in a recent poll conducted by FloSoftball.com which ranked the facility No. 1 in college softball.

#MilestoneWatch: Head coach Michael Lotief is just 12 wins shy of his 700th career triumph. With a 23-game homestand at Lamson Park that runs through March 7, there's a good chance the milestone comes in front of the Ragin' Cajuns faithful. Lotief, the 2016 recipient of the NFCA's Donna Newberry Perseverance Award and ASA/USA Softball Louisiana Softball Hall of Fame inductee, currently owns a career record of 688-170-1 (.802).

#NationsBest: Louisiana has an active streak of 56 consecutive weeks ranked in the national polls dating back to April 2013 and has finished ranked in one of the national polls each of the past nine seasons (2008-16) and 24 times in the past 27 seasons (1990-2016).

#FansDream: 36 total home games at Lamson Park and the longest stretch without softball at the facility all season long is two weeks. It doesn't get any better than that.

#LeadCandidate: A second team NFCA All-American pick in 2016 who set personal season-bests for doubles (12), home runs (18), RBI (56) and extra base hits (32), Aleah Craighton was chosen as the Sun Belt's Preseason Player of the Year and was listed on the Top 50 Watch List for the USA Softball Player of the Year award.

#OddsOnFavorite: Louisiana was selected as the preseason Sun Belt Conference favorite for the 2017 season. The Ragin' Cajuns received all 10 of the first place votes in the SBC's preseason poll and sat atop the ranking with 100 total points.

#FamilyTies: Sisters Kara and Kourtney Gremillion are following in the footsteps of their aunts, Stacie Gremillion and Sandy Percle, who donned the Cajuns uniform in the mid-1980s. Chelsea Lotief, daughter of head coach Michael Lotief, is suiting up for the Ragin' Cajuns like her mother, Stefni (Whitton) Lotief, did from 1987-90.

#SisterAct: Alyssa Denham is the fourth daughter of Steven and Kathy Denhman to play collegiate softball. All three of her elder sisters played softball at McNeese and were All-Southland Conference selections: Stephenie (shortstop, 2001-03), Jessica (pitcher, 2003-06) and Tiffany (pitcher, 2009-12).

#GeauxCajuns

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Players Mentioned

Beth Ashley

Lexie Comeaux

Sara Corbello

Aleah Craighton

Alyssa Denham

Lexie Elkins

Kara Gremillion

Kourtney Gremillion

Haley Hayden

Shellie Landry

Chelsea Lotief

Kelli Martinez

DJ Sanders

Alex Stewart

Kelsey Vincent

Samantha Walsh

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University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics

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