Sun Belt Rewards Craighton for Output in Troy Series

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball center fielder Aleah Craighton was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday, after a breakout weekend offensively in the Troy series.

Craighton picked up her first weekly award this season from the Sun Belt and the third overall in her career (also won April 11, 2016 and May 4, 2015). She's won the award at least once each of the three years of her career.

The Ragin' Cajuns have now claimed seven of the nine player of the week awards handed out by the Sun Belt this season. Craighton is the fifth different hitter from Louisiana to be honored this season, joining Kelli Martinez (Feb. 14), DJ Sanders (Feb. 21, Feb. 28, Mar. 28), Lexie Comeaux (Mar. 7) and Daniella Chavez (Apr. 4).

The Prairieville, La., native and Dutchtown High product hit three home runs – one in each game of the series – as part of a five-hit effort in the Ragin' Cajuns three-game sweep of Troy which extended the team's winning streak to 12 games.

For the weekend, Craighton hit .625 (5-for-8), scored multiple runs each game in tallying seven runs total, posted a series-high six RBI and collected 14 total bases for a 1.750 slugging percentage. She had multiple-hit games in both ends of the Saturday doubleheader and finished the day 4-for-5 at the plate with two homers and three RBI.

Craighton singled with two outs and scored the tying run in the third inning of the series opener, then her home run in the fifth inning gave the Cajuns a 3-1 lead, providing additional insurance for Alyssa Denham. Craighton scored a run in each of her three plate appearance in Game 2 and delivered a two-run homer in the second inning to extend the lead to 6-0.

On Sunday, she provided the Ragin' Cajuns with the lead three batters into the in the 11-0 (5 inn.) triumph by hitting a three-run home run in the first inning.

The Ragin' Cajuns have now collected nine weekly awards total from the Sun Belt in 2017. Of the player of the week totals, Sanders has earned three while Martinez (Feb. 14), Comeaux (Mar. 7), Chavez (Apr. 4) and Craighton (Apr. 11) have been honored once each. Denham (Feb. 21) and Alex Stewart (Mar. 7) add a pitcher of the week award apiece to the team's season award total.

Louisiana has claimed 85 player of the week honors since the Sun Belt Conference began bestowing the honor in 2000.

The 17th-ranked Ragin' Cajuns (29-5, 12-0 Sun Belt) are back at Lamson Park on Tuesday hosting Southeastern Louisiana (19-19, 8-7 Southland) in a 6 p.m. single game, then travel to San Marcos, Texas for a key Sun Belt series at Texas State (29-8, 11-3 Sun Belt) set for Friday-Saturday, April 14-15 at Bobcat Stadium.

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 (@RaginCajunsSB) and Instagram (@RaginCajunsSoftball).

2017 RAGIN' CAJUNS SUN BELT PLAYER/PITCHER OF THE WEEK HONORS
Feb. 14 – Kelli Martinez (Player of the Week)
Feb. 21 – DJ Sanders (Player of the Week)
Feb. 21 – Alyssa Denham (Pitcher of the Week)
Feb. 28 – DJ Sanders (Player of the Week)
Mar. 7 – Lexie Comeaux (Player of the Week)
Mar. 7 – Alex Stewart (Pitcher of the Week)
Mar. 28 – DJ Sanders (Player of the Week)
Apr. 4 – Daniella Chavez (Player of the Week)
Apr. 11 – Aleah Craighton (Player of the Week)

RAGIN' CAJUNS SOFTBALL SUN BELT PLAYER OF THE WEEK ARCHIVE
2017: Kelli Martinez (2/14); DJ Sanders (2/21); DJ Sanders (2/28); Lexie Comeaux (3/7); DJ Sanders (3/28); Daniella Chavez (4/4); Aleah Craighton (4/11)
2016: Lexie Elkins (2/16); DJ Sanders (3/8); Shellie Landry (3/28); Aleah Craighton (4/11); Kara Gremillion (5/9)
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)

#GeauxCajuns

Sun Belt Rewards Craighton for Output in Troy Series

Players Mentioned

Lexie Comeaux

Aleah Craighton

Alyssa Denham

Lexie Elkins

Kara Gremillion

Shellie Landry

Kelli Martinez

DJ Sanders

Alex Stewart

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