LAdy Cajuns return to action against Texas St

<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. — UL will end a well-timed nine-day rest today when the Ragin’ Cajuns host Texas State-San Marcos in a 3 p.m. softball doubleheader.

The LAdy Cajuns are 25-2 on the season and haven’t played since winning Florida State’s Seminole Challenge on March 7, and the time away has allowed the squad to get caught up.

“It’s OK to get your feet back on the ground every now and then,” coach Stefni Lotief said on Monday. “The girls missed time in the classroom, and we wanted to pay attention to our academics before we take off again on Wednesday for the Kia Klassic (at Fullerton, Cal.).

“On the field, we’ve tried to make some improvements and adjustments, but a little rest is a good thing. With the amount of games we play in a short span of time, it gets a little crazy.”

Playing Texas State (22-8, 9-0) is a challenging way to swing back into action. The Bobcats swept Southeastern Louisiana in three games last weekend.

Nicole Neuerburg (15-3, 1.74) is the SLC Pitcher of the Week, joined by Katie Ann Trahan (7-5, 3.47 ERA) in the rotation.

Kristen Zaleski leads the team’s attack at .479, while Trahan (.258) and Hannah Snow (.247) each has five home runs.

“We see good pitching all year when we play teams from the Southland,” Lotief said. “Neuerburg is an All-American, so we know about her.

“They reached the NCAA regional final against Texas last year, and they’re a Top 25 team this year. They’re always solid. They’re good at the plate and have good pitching.

“We’re lucky to be able to work them in between their conference weekends with Southeastern and McNeese.”

The LAdy Cajuns have their own pitching star in junior Brooke Mitchell (19-1, 0.38; 244 K, 130 2/3 IP), an All-American who has monopolized Sun Belt Conference weekly honors this year.

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Bruce Brown
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Freshman Holly Tankersley (.377, 9 HRs, 20 RBI), Brittany Bryant (.286), Hillary Guidry (.284) and Lacey Bertuicci (.276) shine on a team that has already slugged 43 home runs in 2004.

“We had a great weekend in Tallahassee,” she said. “It was an opportunity to play a great team in their own environment. For our young players to get to play and see them step up, was huge.

“They fought every pitch throughout the tournament. It was a five-game weekend, and we treated every game like we had to win to advance. That was good for us. We had a big win (1-0 over No. 6 FSU in 10) and that allowed us to get a little swagger.”

Not that the Cajuns are satisfied still. They worked through showers on Monday.

“Obviously, we have a young team,” Lotief said, “but we’ve been able to communicate better and play better defense. We’ve improved our hitting, are grouping things together and playing team offense.”

It’s time to check that progress again on the field.
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