The Book: 2003 Softball

<center><h1>47-11</h1>

<center><a href="http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/robocoach/vpost?id=862030"> Softball Forums</a>

<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. - Kirbyville, Texas native Holly Tankersley and Lacey Bertucci of Covington High School signed on Wednesday to play softball for the Lady Cajuns of Louisiana.

Tankersley is a two-time first team all-state selection and all-district pitcher for Kirbyville High School. In her junior year for the Wildcats she had a 0.33 pitching ERA, striking out over 200 batters in 89 innings pitched.

"Holly is one of the most special athletes in the country", said Cajun coach Stefni Lotief. "We watched her play this past weekend and she dominated, throwing the ball 68 mph.

"Nobody could hit her. She hit a couple of balls over the fence and played almost every position in the field."

Tankersley also has amazing hitting capabilities for a pitcher. During her junior year in the high school season she batted .637 and hit nine home runs. She also helped lead the team to the Texas State playoffs.

She has earned numerous awards over her high school career.

"Her capabilities allow her to hit the ball over 200 feet with ease, drag and beat the ball out with speed and dominate from the mound," Lotief said. "She is one of the fiercest competitors I've ever seen on the field.

"She signed with this program because she is not afraid of the challenge of this team or the expectations of this community to win the College World Series. She is a by-product of the values and upbringing instilled in her by her family.

"Of all the kids that we recruited, Holly is the total package both athletically and mentally."

"The coaches, community, university and players are everything I am looking for in a softball program." Tankersley said. "I've always wanted to be a Lady Cajun and it's a dream come true.

"After my visit to UL, I verbally committed and cancelled all my other recruiting visits."

Bertucci, a Folsom, La. native, served as a catcher for the Lions where she hit four home runs and batted .536 in her junior year. She also hit nine home runs, including a pair during the AFA National Tournament, where she played first base for her select softball team, the Louisiana Voodoo.

"Bertucci is the best Louisiana player in this recruiting class and arguably the best player in her position in the country," Lotief said. "She can hit for power, is an intelligent leader on the field and brings a passion to the game that is enthusiastic, hard working and graceful but athletic."

This is evident by the fact that Bertucci plays at the highest classification of 5-A and was voted the best player in her position by the coaches in the state. Other accolades for Bertucci include first team All-State as a junior and All-District selection for three years.

She led the team to the semifinals of the Louisiana State playoffs. Bertucci saw the Cajun softball team as a great opportunity for her collegiate career.

"This is a dream come true," Bertucci said. "I have always wanted to play for UL because of the success of the team. When I visited I fell in love with the town and knew the team was going to be a great family for me.

"I want to make an impact on this team, in pursuit of a national championship. I think this team has what it takes to do that."

"In this recruiting class, our focus was quality over quantity and we are very excited that the future of this program is in good hands," said Lotief, whose Lady Cajuns open the season at home against La. Tech on February 11.
</blockquote>LOUISIANA SI

<blockquote><p align=justify>Advertiser-Bruce Brown

LAFAYETTE - When you've set the bar as high as Louisiana's Lady Cajuns, you come to expect big things in softball. So, don't expect coach Stefni Lotief to look back at a 50-13 record in 2002, or at the 30 home runs, 119 runs batted in, 39 stolen bases and 351 total bases gone from that squad.

Lotief, who began practice with her team on Monday, prefers instead to look at the potential for this season.

"I like this team," Lotief said. "Sometimes you get a good feeling about things, and I think this team can be very good.

"We have a lot of options this year, which is nice. Our team average in the classroom was 3.3 last semester. They're smart kids who understand our philosophy and our techniques.

"We have a lot of team speed, but they all have the ability to hit the ball out of the park. We want to have people who can hurt you all the way through our lineup."

All-American third baseman Becky McMurtry and first baseman Summar Lapeyrouse are two seniors who anchor a strong infield. Talented junior Jill Robertson moves from second base to shortstop, with second now occupied by sophomore Tiffany Hebert.

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With Joy Webre a year wiser at catcher, the first line of defense looks solid for the Cajuns.

"I feel good about our infield," Lotief said. "Jill has the speed and the ability to play shortstop. She's done it all her life. She's probably the one who came to practice most prepared to play this season.

"Tiffany played alongside Jill and (All-American shortstop) Alana Addison last year, and that helps her confidence level.

"She started every game we played in the fall. She played 50-60 games at shortstop last summer, against top competition. She's got sweet hands.

"We could switch it out. Either one can handle either position."

Robertson batted .263, hit 9 home runs and had 38 RBI and was 11-of-13 on stolen base attempts in 2002.

McMurtry, who transferred to the Lady Cajuns from Illinois State and was known as a line drive hitter, blossomed with a team-leading .406 batting average, 14 home runs and 53 RBI.

Lapeyrouse, who routinely posts 4.0 GPAs in the classroom, hit .295 and had 29 RBI last season.

Webre, a former All-State shortstop who just returned from three weeks in Italy, hit .238 with 4 homers and 21 RBI.

"Joy is confident this year," Lotief said. "She's so smart. She thinks through situations and truly knows the game. It's an asset for us for her to be in control of the game. She also works so well with our pitchers."

This year's breakout performer could be Grayson, a designated player most of last year who hit .208, had 10 homers and 19 RBI. She moves to centerfield, where speedy Jerie Alexander patrolled in 2002.

"Tiffany is athletically gifted," Lotief said. "She can flat-out run, and she's got a cannon for an arm. She will be the key for our outfield, obviously."

Grayson battled a twisted vertebrae in 2002, but didn't miss a practice in the fall.

Flanking Grayson in the outfield could be a number of players. St. Thomas More product Crystal George (.315. 6 HR, 22 RBI) started in left field last season and earned all-tournament accolades in the NCAA Regional at Lady Cajun Park.

Alexander (.366, 31-of-35 steals) and right fielder Missy Martin (.305, 14 HR, 54 RBI) are gone, but new faces Michelle Bergeaux (Port Barre), Brittany Bryant (Beaumont West Brook), Lauren Castle (Comeaux High), Danyele Gomez (Cabrini in New Orleans) and Natalie Hamby (Bossier Parish CC) compete for time.

Gomez was a state MVP in both volleyball and softball at Cabrini, while Bryant moves from the infield and Castle comes off a stellar career at Comeaux.

"Lauren sprained an ankle, and then had pneumonia," Lotief said. "Over the break, she got rested and got well. She had an awesome fall.

"We believe in getting a lot of kids into the game when we can, so at the designated player position we have a lot of options."

Sophomore Brooke Mitchell is coming off a 20-6 freshman campaign in which she posted a 1.81 earned run average and struck out 164 batters in 159 innings. She and senior Michael Parrot (15-4, 2.18, 87 Ks) lead a pitching staff that includes Afton Thoms and senior Rachel Reese.

"Brooke had a great freshman year, and was an All-American in summer play," Lotief said. "Her speed was already there. She learned how to utilize a wider variety of pitches. She trusts her defense and is the ultimate team pitcher."

(Melissa Coronado, who along with Addison is serving as a graduate assistant coach, was 15-3 with a 1.51 ERA in 2002 as the third member of the club's rotation.)

"Michael showed some improvement in the fall," Lotief said. "Afton had a great fall, and we've got Rachel. We'll go with whoever gives us the best opportunity to win."

The Lady Cajuns open the season with a 4 p.m. home doubleheader Feb. 11 against Louisiana Tech, and as always include the demanding Kia Klassic (March 12-16) on their schedule as they point toward the May 8-10 Sun Belt Conference Tournament and NCAA action beyond.

"I think we may surprise some people," Lotief said.


2003 Lady Cajun Softball Roster

NO NAME, POS CL HOME (LAST SCHOOL)


3 Summar Lapeyrouse, 1B/3B SR Lafayette High


5 Crystal George, OF SO St. Thomas More


6 Brittany Bryant, OF FR Beaumont (West Brook)


7 Michelle Bergeaux, OF FR Port Barre


8 Tiffany Hebert, 2B/SS SO Teurlings Catholic


9 Afton Thoms, P FR Central, B.R.


10 Jill Robertson, SS/2B JR Acadiana High


12 Michael Parrot, P SR Houston (North Carolina)


13 Brooke Mitchell, P SO Pasadena, Texas (Deer Park)


15 Rachel Reese, P SR Tomball, Texas (Temple JC)


16 Natalie Hamby, OF SO West Monroe (Bossier JC)


17 Becky McMurtry, 3B SR North Platte, Neb. (Illinois State)


18 Joy Webre, C SO Denham Springs


19 Ashley Evans, 1B SO West Monroe


21 Tiffany Grayson, OF JR Spring, Texas


22 Danyele Gomez, OF FR New Orleans Cabrini


23 Lauren Castle, OF FR Comeaux High


25 Leslie Pierce, C FR Pasadena, Texas (Sam Rayburn High)


Head Coach: Stefni Lotief (UL Lafayette 1990)


Assistant Coaches: Patti Butler (La. Tech 1985), Michael Lotief (UL Lafayette 1986)

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<blockquote><p align=justify>Advertiser-Bruce Brown

LAFAYETTE — When you’ve got your health, you’ve got just about everything. Or so it’s said.

UL's Lady Cajuns figure that if they can keep healthy, they’re headed for another 50-win softball season and a spot in postseason play.

That quest begins at 4 p.m. today with a doubleheader against old foe Louisiana Tech at Lady Cajun Park, as Stefni Lotief begins her third season at the helm.

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“Obviously, with the weather, we’ve been trying to maintain the players’ health,” Lotief said. “We’ve done a lot of inside work, a lot of individual work and scrimmaging for game preparation.

“We’ve been scrimmaging earlier than we have in the past, because we wanted to get a feel for where the kids are under game situations and for how much they understand the way we run our system.”

The 2003 Lady Cajuns have 12 freshmen or sophomores on the squad, with only six juniors and seniors, so it will be a youthful team that tries to equal or surpass last year’s 50-13 finish.

“We’re a young team, but I’ve been pleased with the way the young ones have stepped up,” Lotief said. “I hope they can come in and not skip a beat. Our freshman class has some very good athletes.

“We want to be competitive throughout the lineup, and we want them to feel comfortable with themselves and with the team. Their work ethic is unquestioned.”

When the newcomers see players like All-American third baseman Becky McMurtry at work, they realize the type of effort it takes to succeed at the top levels of the sport. As a transfer junior in 2002, McMurtry led the team in hitting with a .406 average, had 23 doubles, slugged 14 home runs and drove in 53. The best news is that she’s not satisfied.

“Defensively, she’s made huge strides since last year,” Lotief said. “She has continued to work to get better in that area. She’s already one of the best hitters in the country. She truly enjoys hitting, has a real passion for it.”

McMurtry was the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year in 2002 and will once again key an attack that includes left fielder Crystal George (.315, 6 home runs, 22 RBI), first baseman Summar Lapeyrouse (.295, 13 doubles, 29 RBI), Jill Robertson (.263, 9 HR, 38 RBI) moving from second base to shortstop, Tiffany Grayson (.208) going fulltime to the outfield and Joy Webre (.238, 4, 21) anchoring the defense at catcher.

Tiffany Hebert moves into the infield at second base, with a battle for playing time in the outfield between Danyele Gomez, Natalie Hamby, Michelle Bergeaux and Brittany Bryant.

Brooke Mitchell (20-6, 1.81 ERA, 164 strikeouts) leads the pitching staff, with help from senior Michael Parrott (15-4, 2.18 ERA), Rachel Reese (0-0, 2.80) and Afton Thoms. Reese has been accepted to medical school, and so will be available for road trips this year after focusing heavily on studies in 2002.

Louisiana Tech enters today’s action with a 1-1 record after splitting a doubleheader with Centenary last week.

Alison White’s clutch, 3-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning forced extra innings in the opener. She then was the winning run on an RBI by Ashley Aycock as Tech posted a 7-6 victory behind Marla Pinkston. Centenary won the second game, 4-2.

“With Alison, we always knew the potential for power was there,” Tech coach Sara Dawson said. “Consistency has been her only question.”

White had two hits and five RBI in the opener.

“All game long (in the opener), the kids kept their composure,” Dawson said. “There was still a lot of game to be played.”

Casey Reiff totalled four hits in the twinbill for Tech.

“Casey is an upperclassman,” Dawson said. “We expect this from her. That’s why she’s in the lineup.”

The Lady Cajuns, who play in UL Monroe’s Mardi Classic next weekend, are ready to begin.

“I don’t think our players put pressure on themselves,” Lotief said. “They’re the type who are self-motivated. Whether they’re hitting .300 or .400, they take the same approach.

“They’ve set their goals high, and they expect to reach them. The older girls provide the leadership, and the chemistry and communication have been good.

“They know they’re not just working for opening day.”
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UL Lafayette head softball coach Stefni Lotief, right, discusses game strategy with her staff during last year’s action. Lotief and the Lady Cajuns are scheduled to begin the 2003 season with a 4 p.m. doubleheader today against Louisiana Tech at Lady Cajun Park. Lotief is hoping her Lady Cajuns can put together another NCAA regional campaign this season.

GOMEZ AND BRYANT HIGHLIGHT LADY CAJUNS SWEEP OF LA. TECH<blockquote><p align=justify>
<i>Freshmen each hit two home runs it first two collegiate at bats to pace Louisiana’s offensive attack</i>

LAFAYETTE – There were no first-time jitters for Danyele Gomez and Brittany Bryant here Tuesday afternoon at Lady Cajun Park.

Instead they both looked like seasoned veterans each blasting two home runs in their first two collegiate softball at bats to help lead Louisiana’s Lady Cajuns softball team to a 8-0 (5), 4-0 doubleheader sweep of in-state rival Louisiana Tech in the Lady Cajuns 2003 season opener.

Gomez, a New Orleans native and Cabrini High School product, finished the twinbill 4-for-4 with two home runs and six RBI – five of which came in the first game. Her first official at bat was a towering shot that flew high above the left center field wall for a grand slam and an early 4-0 lead.

Bryant also had a perfect outing at the plate, going 2-for-2 with both hits being home runs and driving in three runs. Bryant, who subbed in at second base in the top of the fifth inning, ended game one with a home run to the left field bleachers that put Louisiana up 8-0 and induced the five-inning mercy rule.

Sophomore ace pitcher Brooke Mitchell (1-0, 0.00 ERA) threw the first perfect game of her career in game one single-handedly shutting down the Lady Techsters batting order. Mitchell, who was 20-6 last season as a freshman, struck out five, walked none, hit none and allowed no hits in her 2003 debut. Of the 15 batters she faced, six hit flied out and four hit into groundouts.

LA Tech starter Sabra Warner struggled in the throughout the entire first game, walking six and hitting four.

It was her inability to put the ball over the plate in the first inning which dug a huge hole for the Lady Techsters (1-3). Warner put Jill Robertson (hit-by-pitch), Lauren Castle (walk) and Becky McMurtry (walk) on base in the bottom of the first. After a Tiffany Grayson fouled out, Gomez delivered the grand slam and gave the Cajun a quick 4-0 lead.

Gomez hit her second home run of the game in the bottom of the third as she led off the inning with a solo shot to nearly the same part of the park.

Louisiana tacked on one more in the fourth on a Joy Webre single to left field that plated pinch runner Natalie Hamby. Castle led off the inning with a walk and was replaced by Hamby on the basepath. Hamby stole second and was later driven in by Webre.

The Bryant home run in the bottom of the fifth brought game one to an early halt. With the win the Ragin’ Cajuns won their second straight season opener and home opener.

In game two, the Cajuns were held scoreless after two complete. Louisiana got on the board in its half of the third with a three-spot. Senior All-American Becky McMurtry picked up her first double of the season – and second of the game – which plated Robertson with game two’s first run. Robertson drew a walk after Tiffany Hebert filed out to center field and then stole second. After Castle filed out, McMurtry delivered the first of three two-out RBI.

Junior and Spring, Texas, native Tiffany Grayson followed with an RBI single up the middle of the infield which plated McMurtry and and Gomez followed with her first collegiate double to score Grayson and put Louisiana on top 3-0 after three complete.

The Ragin’ Cajuns tacked on an insurance run in the bottom half of the fifth when Bryant, in her second collegiate at bat of her career, launched another long home run this time over the center field wall for push the Cajuns advantage to 4-0. The home run led off the fifth for Louisiana.

Senior pitcher Michael Parrott (1-0, 0.00 ERA) picked up the win for Louisiana, tossing seven complete innings striking out two and surrendering just five hits. Tech’s Kristin Rupp took the loss, her second straight on the young season, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out four.

Louisiana will return to action Friday, Feb. 14 when the Cajuns travel to Monroe for the UL Monroe Mardi Gras Classic. On Friday, the Cajuns will face Tulsa at 6 p.m. in the opening round. On Saturday, Feb. 15, Louisiana will wrap up Pool B play with games against Southeastern Louisiana at 1 p.m. and Auburn at 3 p.m. before bracket play begins at 5 p.m.

The next home game for the Lady Cajuns will be Friday, Feb. 28 at 4:15 p.m. against McNeese State in the Louisiana Classics</center>

</blockquote><a href="http://www.ragincajuns.com/softball/softball021103.htm"><I>ULSI</a>

<blockquote><p align=justify>Advertiser-Bruce Brown

LAFAYETTE — Louisiana got the 2003 season off to an impressive start with Tuesday’s 8-0, 4-0 doubleheader sweep of Louisiana Tech.

The Lady Cajuns now take their act on the road as they compete in this weekend’s ULM Mardi Gras Softball Classic at UL Monroe.

“I was very happy with the way we played on Tuesday,” coach Stefni Lotief said. “It definitely gives us something to build on. “But, we’ve got to stay focused. The players know they have to do the best we can every time out on the field.”

UL is in the same pool with SEC member Auburn, Southeastern Louisiana and Tulsa, while host UL Monroe is joined by La. Tech, Baylor and Mercer.

First up for the Lady Cajuns is a 6 p.m. contest today against Tulsa. They then face SLU at 1 p.m. and Auburn at 3 p.m. on Saturday, before moving into championship bracket action.

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“It’s nice that there are several teams from several conferences,” Lotief said. “You have the opportunity to play a variety of teams in one spot.

“Auburn won their regional last year, and Tulsa had a good year last year in their conference (Western Athletic Conference). And, UL Monroe always finds a way to be competitive when we play them.”

The Mardi Gras event also features a number of local touches for fans. Louisiana's Ashley Evans and Natalie Hamby, as well as Auburn’s Donna Zeigler, are from West Monroe. In addition, Tech coach Sarah Dawson is the ULM career pitching leader in strikeouts (1,280) and is a former Indians assistant.

UL debuted new talent in Tuesday’s sweep, as freshman Danyele Gomez smacked a grand slam home run in her first career at-bat, hit another homer in the opener and went 4-for-4 with six RBIs on the evening. Freshman Brittany Bryant also ripped a homer in her initial at-bat and is 2-for-2 with a pair of circuit shots.

Senior All-American third baseman Becky McMurtry had a pair of hits in four trips, with Evans, Joy Webre and Tiffany Grayson also collecting hits.

Sophomore Brooke Mitchell was perfect in 5 innings in the opener, while senior Michael Parrott posted a shutout in the nightcap.

One concern for the Lady Cajuns is junior shortstop Jill Robertson, who dislocated her left (non-throwing) shoulder in the second game. She was fitted with a brace on Thursday and is scheduled to make the trip. Pool play resumes on Saturday at 11 a.m., with the championship game at 3 p.m. Sunday.
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<i>Lady Cajuns rained out in Monroe </i><blockquote><p align=justify>Advertiser

MONROE – Rainy conditions forced the postponement of Saturday’s scheduled games here at the UL Monroe Mardi Gras Softball Classic, forcing all of the games to be rescheduled for Sunday morning.

Louisiana Lady Cajuns softball team was scheduled to face Southeastern Louisiana and Auburn Saturday. Those same games will now be played on Sunday with the Cajuns battling SLU at 11 a.m. and Auburn at 1 p.m to wrap up Pool B play.

Once pool play is completed, following today’s 1 o’clock games, the top two teams from each pool will advance to championship play with the remaining teams being eliminated.

The No. 1 seeds from each pool will play for the tournament title while the No. 2 seeds from each pool will matchup for third place.

Louisiana is 0-1 in the weekend event, dropping a heartbreaker to Tulsa Friday night.

The Golden Hurricane and Lady Cajuns were in a pitchers duel throughout the event. However, Tulsa was able to break through in their half of the sixth when a Lauren Castle error in right field with two outs kept the inning alive and allowed the Golden Hurricane’s two runners on base to score the winning runs.
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The loss was the Cajuns first of the season and spoiled another solid pitching performance by sophomore ace Brooke Mitchell. Mitchell went six innings, struck out 12, walked just one and allowed no earned runs for the second straight outing. Friday’s outing came on the heels of a perfect game Tuesday with Louisiana Tech in the season opener.

Junior shortstop Jill Robertson, who dislocated her shoulder in Tuesday’s game two with La. Tech, will not see action on Sunday and will remain questionable for the foreseeable future.

Following the UL Monroe Mardi Gras Classic the Cajuns will continue their current road trip with a 5 p.m. doubleheader at Nicholls State on Wednesday, Feb. 19 in Thibodaux.

The Cajuns next home game is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28 at 4:15 p.m. in the Louisiana Classics against McNeese State.
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MONROE Mardi Gras ???? :confused: :confused:


LOL!!! :rolleyes:

<blockquote><p align=justify>Advertiser

MONROE — The Lady Cajuns of Louisiana-La got their offense back on track here Sunday at the UL Monroe Mardi Gras Classic.

The Lady Cajuns posted a 9-3 win over Southeastern Louisiana and a 9-1 mercy-rule rout of SEC-member Auburn in their tournament finale.

UL (4-1) finished 2-1 in the weekend event and claimed third place in the eight-team event.

The Cajuns were slated to play Baylor for the consolation title (third place), but the Bears left immediately after their pool play concluded and were not available to play the game.

The Lady Cajuns bounced back from a one-hit performance against Tulsa on Friday with an offensive barrage Sunday that saw them produce 18 runs and rack up 20 hits. The pitching was solid, allowing just two earned runs in 13 innings.

“We have a group of players who are going to go out there and fight every at bat, every pitch,” coach Stefni Lotief said. “They were not satisfied with Friday’s one-hit outing and came out today and responded by rising to the challenge.

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“As a result we saw tremendous production from 1-to-9 in the lineup. It’s not just one player, but a collective unit that is getting the job done for us offensively.”

The threat throughout the order puts pressure on opposing squads.

“Opposing pitchers are intentionally pitching around (Becky) McMurtry and (Danyele) Gomez, but others are rising to the occasion,” Lotief said.

“Tiffany (Grayson) had a great day today with six runs batted in and a home run, Brittany Bryant hit another home run and Lauren Castle had four hits.

“You also have to give credit to our pitching staff. The offense gave them at least three runs today and they made it stand up. We’ve only allowed two earned runs through 32 innings this young season.”

In the first game of the day, the Ragin’ Cajuns got multi-RBI home runs from junior shortstop Jill Robertson and junior center fielder Tiffany Grayson to distance themselves from SLU. Robertson was cleared to play after dislocating her shoulder against Louisiana Tech last Tuesday.

With Louisiana-La leading 2-1 in the top of the fourth inning, Robertson launched her first home run of the season for a 4-1 lead.

SLU (0-6) added two runs in the bottom of the fifth to trim the lead to 4-3, but Grayson erased any hope of a Lions comeback with her first home run of the season — a three run blast that put the Ragin’ Cajuns in front 7-3 in the sixth inning.

Louisiana-La added two more runs in the seventh to complete the scoring.

Grayson was 2-for-5 with four RBI and one homer. Robertson chipped in with a 1-for-4 outing and two RBI. Catcher Joy Webre drove in a run and was 2-for-4 at the plate. Lauren Castle also went 2-for-4. All-American McMurtry scored three runs.

Redshirt freshman Afton Thoms (1-0) made her Louisiana-La debut in the pitching circle against SLU, going the distance and striking out five for her first collegiate win.

In game two, the Cajuns made it a perfect day in the win column with a 9-1 6-inning, mercy-rule pouncing of SEC-member Auburn (8-8) in the first meeting between the two schools.

Auburn scored in the bottom of the first inning off Cajuns starter Brooke Mitchell, but she settled down after that, holding the Tigers scoreless the remaining five innings and striking out eight.

Mitchell ended the tournament with 20 strikeouts and no earned runs in 12 innings.

UL's offense backed Mitchell up with four runs, all unearned, over the next two innings, pushing across a pair in the both second and third innings.

McMurtry plated Robertson in the fourth inning and Brittany Bryant hit her third home run of the season with a solo shot in the fifth to increase the Cajuns lead to 6-1.

The Cajuns added three more in the sixth to enforce the mercy rule, as Grayson and Castle each had RBI singles.

Grayson ended the Auburn game 2-for-3 with two RBI and was a combined 4-for-8 with six RBI on the day.
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<blockquote><p align=justify>In game two, the Cajuns made it a perfect day in the win column with a 9-1 6-inning, mercy-rule pouncing of SEC-member Auburn (8-8) in the first meeting between the two schools.

Auburn scored in the bottom of the first inning off Cajuns starter Brooke Mitchell, but she settled down after that, holding the Tigers scoreless the remaining five innings and striking out eight.

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Mitchell ended the tournament with 20 strikeouts and no earned runs in 12 innings.

Louisiana-La's offense backed Mitchell up with four runs, all unearned, over the next two innings, pushing across a pair in the both second and third innings.

McMurtry plated Robertson in the fourth inning and Brittany Bryant hit her third home run of the season with a solo shot in the fifth to increase the Cajuns lead to 6-1.

The Cajuns added three more in the sixth to enforce the mercy rule, as Grayson and Castle each had RBI singles.

Grayson ended the Auburn game 2-for-3 with two RBI and was a combined 4-for-8 with six RBI on the day.-->

<center><i>Louisiana sophomore hurler tossed perfect game in season opener</i></cneter><blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA Là - The season got off to a “perfect” start for Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns softball pitcher Brooke Mitchell last week and on Tuesday she was rewarded with the Sun Belt Conference’s first Pitcher of the Week Award for the 2003 regular season.

The Pasadena, Texas, native finished the week with a 2-1 record and allowed only one earned run in 17 innings of work in the pitcher’s circle for the Ragin’ Cajuns and enters this week’s action sporting a 0.41 ERA.

Mitchell began the season in fine fashion, tossing a five-inning perfect game against Louisiana Tech last Tuesday. She struck out five Lady Techsters, walked none and hit none in tossing the first perfect outing of her collegiate career and sixth shutout.

She ended the week striking out 25 batters and walking only two in 17 innings. She struck out 12 batters Friday in a hard-luck 2-0 loss to Tulsa _ one in which the Golden Hurricane won on a two-out error in the bottom of the sixth inning.

In her final start of the week she tossed a complete-game four-hitter against Auburn while striking out eight in leading Louisiana-Lafayette to a 9-1 mercy-rule rout of the SEC-member Tigers.

Mitchell finished the ULM Mardi Gras Classic with 20 strikeouts over 13 innings. She allowed just nine hits the entire week. She has 189 career strikeouts and needs just 11 more to reach 200 in her brief career.</blockquote><i>ULSI</i>