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>

<center><i>Brooke Mitchell strikes out 24 batters in 11.1 innings</i></center><blockquote><p align=justify>Louisiana's Lady Cajuns softball continued their winning ways with a doubleheader sweep of Nicholls State on Wednesday night. The Cajuns got the better of a pitching duel to win the first game 1-0, while the Cajuns used four early runs to best the Lady Colonels 6-3 in the nightcap.

Brooke Mitchell won both games for the Cajuns, improving to 4-1 on the season. The sophomore hurler struck out 24 batters in 11 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit and no earned runs.

The Cajuns (6-1) jumped on game two starter Nicole Wagner early. Tiffany Grayson led off the second inning with a double to deep center field. Brittany Bryant hit a shot to right center that scored Grayson. Bryant moved to third on a two-base error by centerfielder Jennifer Paray. Then, Crystal George's bloop single over second base scored Bryant to give Louisiana a 2-0 cushion.

The Lady Cajuns added two more runs in the third. Jill Robertson led off with a single and scored on a double by Becky McMurtry. McMurtry advanced to third on a groundout by Danyele Gomez, and then scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Grayson.

The Lady Colonels (3-3) came back to score three unearned runs on starter Michael Parrott. Chrissy Jenkins started the bottom of the third with a single. Lindsey Yelverton reached on a fielder’s choice and Jenkins moved to second on the play on an error by Robertson. Dione Meier reached on a two-base error by Grayson, which scored Jenkins and Yelverton. Meier then scored on a bloop single by Coleman.

Mitchell came on to pitch with two outs in the third, replacing Parrott, who allowed three runs, all unearned, on three hits.

While Mitchell held the hosts at bay, the Cajuns tacked on two more runs in the fifth. Robertson was able to get on base after a two base error by Stephanie Sasser. McMurtry advanced Robertson to third with a groundout to second, before a Gomez single plated Robertson. Grayson then singled down the third base line to score Gomez, who had advanced to second on a balk by Wagner.

Louisiana put runners on the corners with no outs in the sixth, but squandered a chance to pad their lead. NSU collected a pair of strikeouts and picked a runner off third base to keep the game within reach.
<hr width=350>
<center>GAME ONE RECAP</center><p align=justify>In the first game, an excellent pitcher's duel was decided by one inning of costly errors.

Crystal George led off the top of the sixth with a single up the middle. Jill Robertson lined out to left field before Becky McMurtry's grounder was booted by Teri Clouatre at second base, giving the Cajuns runners on first and second with just one out. Danyele Gomez loaded the bases after her fly
ball was dropped in right field by Jamee Henry. Tiffany Hebert, who pinch ran for George, scored the games only run on a wild pitch.

Nicholls State's starter Dione Meier entered the game fresh off pitching a no-hitter at Ole Miss. The junior transfer from Galveston College pitched well, but took the hard-luck loss. She allowed only four hits and no earned runs, while striking out 13.

Her counterpart, Brooke Mitchell, improved to 3-1 on the season by dominating the Lady Colonels. Mitchell allowed only one hit and tied a career-high by striking out 15 batters, only facing one tough inning.

The Lady Colonels threatened in the bottom of the fourth. Mitchell struck out Lindsay Coleman, but she reached base on a wild pitch. After Kristin Blanchard struck out, Clouatre walked. Both runners advanced to second and third following a passed ball. Mitchell struck out the next two batters, giving her four K’s in the inning, to escape the fourth unscathed.

George picked-up two of the Cajuns four hits.

The Cajuns will return home to host the Louisiana Classics Feb. 28-Mar. 2.
</blockquote><i>ULSI</i>

Lady Cajuns win tonight 5-3. If I remember correctly 3 homeruns and 12 hits. A good win!:D :D :D

Luv those lady cajuns. :cool:

<center><i>Lady Cajuns cruise past MSU for Classics title.</i></center><blockquote><p align=justify>LAFAYETTE — Jill Robertson has left the building.

So has Danyele Gomez.

So has Lauren Castle.

So has Becky McMurtry.

Louisiana’s Lady Cajuns made short work of the McNeese State Cowgirls in Sunday’s final game of the Louisiana Classics, long-balling their way to a 5-inning, 11-0 victory to clinch the tournament title at Lady Cajun Park.

Coach Stefni Lotief’s team went 4-1 on the weekend. For all intents and purposes, they sewed up the crown with Saturday night’s 5-3 win over Notre Dame, which finished 3-2 with a 12-7 Sunday win over Northwestern State.

McMurtry was named Most Outstanding Player on the Cajun-laden All-Tournament Team after lashing her fourth home run of the weekend in Sunday’s runaway win and going 6-for-15 with 9 RBI in the five games.

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The Cowgirls could quickly see that it was going to be a long day. Robertson led off with a long drive to center field which was caught at the wall by Rikki Fontenot, only to have the ball pop out of her glove and over the fence.

UL broke open the game in the second with eight runs. Crystal George and Tiffany Hebert stroked one-out singles, Robertson walked the bases full and McMurtry ripped a two-run double to right.

Another double by Tiffany Grayson plated Robertson and a sliding McMurtry, before Gomez delivered a two-run home run to left field.

One out later, Summar Lapeyrouse singled and came home on Castle’s homer, making it 9-0.

In the third, Brittany Bryant reached on a bloop double and raced to third on a throwing error, then trotted home when McMurtry sent a rocket over the right field fence to the tennis courts beyond.

That finished McNeese starter Meghan Novak, who left in favor of Corrie Hale.

Senior Michael Parrott picked up her third victory of the weekend, tossing a one-hitter at the beleaguered Cowgirls. Only Stephanie Denham hit safely, with a leadoff single in the fourth. Parrott has not allowed an earned run in 24 1/3 innings.

Brooke Mitchell finished up for the Cajuns with a pair of strikeouts in her one inning of work.

“Our hitters work so hard every day,” Lotief said. “They do a lot of preparation, not just physically but also in the mental aspect of hitting, and I think it shows.”

For the weekend, the Lady Cajuns pounded 15 home runs and collected 24 extra base hits.

It was the sixth straight Classics crown for the program, and 13 of 17 overall.

“Everybody gets along on this team,” said pitcher Afton Thoms, who delivered the pressure win over Notre Dame on Saturday. “It’s so positive. Everybody backs everybody up, and that helps a lot.”
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<i><center>Gomez, Mitchell pace Lady Cajuns’ twinbill sweep
</i></center><blockquote><p align=justify>LAFAYETTE – Danyele Gomez continued her breakout freshman campaign, blasting three home runs and driving in nine runs and Brooke Mitchell tossed her first career no-hitter as Louisiana's Lady Cajuns softball team cruised to a 4-0, 13-5 doubleheader sweep of Southern Mississippi here Sunday at Lady Cajun Park.

Gomez was 3-for-3 with two home runs and six RBIs in the second game of the afternoon twinbill to pace the Lady Cajuns offense which belted five home runs in that game.

The Metairie native ended the day 4-for-6 with nine RBIs and three home runs. She now has six homers this season and 18 RBIs and raised her team-leading average to .413.

Louisiana (12-2) concluded the day with seven home runs to run its season total to 29 home runs through 14 games for an average of 2.1 home runs per game. The Lady Cajuns have hit 22 home runs in their last seven outings. Louisiana is now on pace to hit 103 home runs which would easily shatter the school record of 76 set last season.

Louisiana has won 10 of its last 11 and will conclude its current nine-game homestand at 3 p.m. today against Boston University in a doubleheader.

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“The defense played solid and backed me up,” Mitchell said. “I never even noticed that there were no hits on the scoreboard until the final out was recording. I just took it one pitch at a time.”

The Lady Cajuns jumped on the board early, plating three runs with one out in the first inning. After a Jill Robertson groundout, All-American third baseman Becky McMurtry collected the Lady Cajuns’ first hit with a double.

Junior center fielder Tiffany Grayson then drew a walk on the next at bat to give the Cajuns runners on first and second.

Gomez brought home Louisiana's first runs with her fourth home run of the season. Gomez lifted a liner over the right center field wall off of USM starter Jessica Holaway for a 3-0 lead.

Holaway (3-8) settled down after the first inning allowing just two hits the rest of the way. One of those two hits was a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth from McMurtry that gave the Cajuns the final 4-0 margin.

Mitchell (5-2, 1.06 ERA) was never threatened in her no-hit bid. She struck out five hitters and walked three and faced just one over the minimum.

“It was great to see Brooke (Mitchell) get back into the form in which she began the season with,” said head coach Stefni Lotief. “I thought she was mentally prepared for this game and as a result she went out there and helped us set the momentum for the afternoon.”

In game two, the Lady Cajuns rallied from a 3-0, first inning deficit to take a 13-5 five-inning, mercy-rule win.

The Lady Cajuns would answer the Eagles challenge in their half of the first. Gomez hit a two-out, two-run home run. That was followed by a Joy Webre walk and an RBI triple by Brittany Bryant to score Webre and tie the game 3-3.

“They jumped on us early, but the girls fought back and responded to the challenge with three runs in the first (inning),” said head coach Stefni Lotief. “As a coach, that’s when you know that your team is going to come back and fight from behind and answer the call.’’

The Cajuns continued their response to USM’s three-run first by taking the lead for good in the bottom of the third inning. Grayson led off with a triple and was brought home on a Gomez single for a 4-3 lead.

The Cajuns would push across two more runs when Webre skied a towering home run shot to the left field bleachers that put the Cajuns up 6-3. That home run chased USM starting pitcher Danielle Hatfield (1-1).

Louisiana struck for four more runs in the fourth inning to take a 10-3 lead. George led off the inning with a solo home run to left center between the light pole and the bleachers. It was George’s first home run of the season.

After a McMurtry walk and Grayson double, Gomez went yard once more with her second home run of the game to push the lead to seven runs after four complete.

USM added two runs in the fifth inning when Ashley Brenan scored on a throwing error by Webre attempting to gun down Diane Hammes going for second base. Hammes rounded third on the next at bat when Auriel Jenkins doubled to right field over Natalie Hamby and the Cajuns lead was trimmed to 10-5.

Robertson would jolt her fifth home run of the season in the Cajuns half of the fifth, a three-run job which put Louisiana on top 13-5 and ended the game in five innings by virtue of the eight-run rule after five innings. There were no outs when Robertson smashed her homer to left center field off of USM reliever Danielle Wymer.

Leslie Pierce and Crystal George both walked before Robertson stepped up to the plate and hit her game-ending three-run bomb.

“There were some hitters who did an astounding job out there today and some struggled,” Lotief said. “Tomorrow (against Boston University at 3 p.m.) we will see if those who did fare well today will come out and be ready to fight and compete.”

Grayson ended the second game 2-for-3 with a triple and a double while scoring two runs.

Thoms picks up the win in relief of Parrott and moves to 3-0 on the season. She went four innings and struck out six batters while allowing just four hits and two runs. Hatfield was saddled with the loss for the Eagles – her first loss of the season. Hatfield allowed six runs on seven hits in two innings.
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I had to leave the game in the fourth. By then the HOMERUN fun was well under way.<center><table border=6><td><img src="https://forumeus.com/images/seasons/2002-03-lady-cajun-park-a(500).jpg"></td></table><p>

<center><table border=6><td><img src="https://forumeus.com/images/seasons/2002-03-lady-cajun-park-b(500).jpg"></td></table><br>Winner of one of the HomeRun shirts.

<center><table border=6><td><img src="https://forumeus.com/images/seasons/2002-03-lady-cajun-park-c(400).jpg"></td></table>Mr. Hebert and Mr. Harris. <i>Making and taking notes.

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<i><center>Run win streak to seven games
</i></center><blockquote><p align=justify>LAFAYETTE — Louisiana's Lady Cajun softball team ran its season-high winning streak to seven games with a pair of 8-0 mercy-rule wins over Boston University Monday afternoon at Lady Cajun Park in the final game of the Cajuns’ current nine-game homestand.

Louisiana (14-2) took advantage of the home run in the first game and capitalized on BU miscues in the second in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

The Cajuns swept their seventh straight twinbill dating back to last season and have now won three straight games by the eight-run mercy rule. Louisiana has collected six run-rule wins out of 16 games this season and has outscored the opposition 105-27.

In game one, Brooke Mitchell and Michael Parrott combined for a one-hit shutout of the Terriers (0-5). The Cajun offense was guided by three home runs hit by Lauren Castle, Danyele Gomez and Joe Webre.

Gomez got the Cajuns rolling in their half of the first when she laced a three-run home run off of the scoreboard in right field for a quick 3-0 lead.

Webre made BU pitcher Tiffany Finateri pay for pitching around Gomez in the third inning with a towering home run over the left field wall and into the bleachers for a 6-0 lead.

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“They challenged our big hitters in the first game and we made them pay with some huge hits,” said head coach Stefni Lotief. “Then they pitched around them later in the game and we made them pay once more as other hitters in the lineup stepped up and answered the call.”

In game two, the Cajuns used a five-run third inning to break open a 1-0 game. The big hit of the inning was a huge grand slam by freshman Brittany Bryant that landed over the left field fence.

Bryant’s blast gave the Cajuns a 6-0 lead after three complete and was Louisiana’s fourth home run of the day giving them 33 for the season through 13 games.

Redshirt freshman Afton Thoms picked up her fourth win of the season and her first combined shutout. The Cajuns were limited to just three hits in the game, but BU pitchers issued nine walks as they worked around hitters.

the Cajun top hitters.

“It seemed as though they picked their poison,” Lotief said. “They either challenged our top hitters and they hit home runs off of them or they pitched around the top hitters and the ones behind them in the lineup made them pay.”
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<blockquote><p align=justify>LAFAYETTE — Louisiana’s Lady Cajuns softball right fielder Danyele Gomez and pitcher Brooke Mitchell were honored as the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Softball Hitter and Pitcher of the Week on Tuesday.

Gomez, a freshman from Metairie, earned the state’s hitter of the week award after going 4-for-6 with three home runs and nine runs batted in the Ragin’ Cajuns sweep over Southern Miss last weekend.

She opened the doubleheader by driving in three of the Cajuns’ four runs with a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning.

In the second game, Gomez stroked a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning and another three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth.

Mitchell earned her second pitcher of the week award this season after tossing a no-hitter in the Cajuns’ 4-0 win over Southern Miss in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader.

It was her second no-hitter of the season. She tossed a perfect game in the season opener against La. Tech.

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She pitched all seven innings and walked only three batters, while striking out five, and faced only one batter over the minimum in the contest. It was her first seven inning no-hitter (Tech was a five-inning game).

This is Mitchell’s second LSWA award this season and Gomez’s first. Mitchell was named the LSWA Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 24 after her dominating performances at Nicholls State Feb. 19.

The Cajuns have won four LSWA weekly awards this season to go along with four Sun Belt Conference weekly awards.

Last week the Cajuns swept the Sun Belt Conference weekly honors as Becky McMurtry and Michael Parrott were named Hitter and Pitcher of the Week.

The Lady Cajuns return to action Thursday when they participate in the 2003 KIA Klassic hosted by Cal State-Fullerton in Fullerton, Calif.

Louisiana will face Long Beach State (9-12) in its opener Thursday at 1 p.m. (CST) and then play 2002 Women’s College World Series runner-up Arizona (26-2) at 5 p.m. (CST).
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<blockquote><p align=justify>LAFAYETTE — Louisiana’s Lady Cajuns softball team left Wednesday for the 2003 KIA Klassic, which runs today through Sunday at Cal State-Fullerton in Fullerton, Calif.

The Cajuns (14-2) will face their toughest challenges of the young season in their ninth straight appearance in the KIA Klassic, one of the most prestigious regular-season events in college softball.

This year’s Klassic features nine teams ranked in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25 poll — six of which are in the Top 10.

Louisiana’s first appearance in 1994 produced a tournament championship.

The tournament gets under way with pool play today. Louisiana is a member of Pool D and is paired with No. 2 Arizona (26-2), No. 16 Florida State (18-7) and Long Beach State (9-12).

Both Arizona and FSU made it to the semifinals of the 2002 Women’s College World Series, with Arizona advancing to the title game.

Once pool play is over on Friday the teams will be paired in brackets according to their finish in pool play.

The Lady Cajuns will play at 1 p.m. (CST) today against Long Beach State (9-12), and will also match up with the second-ranked Wildcats at 5 p.m. (CST).

Louisiana and Arizona are meeting each other in pool play for the third straight season. The Lady Cajuns will conclude pool play on Friday at 11 a.m. (CST) against FSU.

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Staff Reports
<i>Louisiana SI</i><!--

Bracket play will begin on Friday at 7 p.m. (CST). Depending on where Louisiana finishes in pool play, they may not play until Saturday at 11 a.m. (CST). The teams will be seeded 1-4 in each pool based on their record after round robin play.

The Lady Cajuns of Louisiana will face Long Beach State for the first time in the KIA Klassic and it will be the first meeting between the two teams since March 3, 1996 when they met at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. The Lady Cajuns won that game 4-1. in the only other meeting between the two teams.

Louisiana will face Arizona in the KIA Klassic for the third straight season. The two teams have split a pair of meetings in the tournament with Louisiana claiming a 4-3 win in the 2001 event — a win which handed the eventual national champion its first loss of the season.

UA got the better of Louisiana in last season’s tournament meeting claiming a 1-0 win on March 16, 2002 in the opening round on bracket play.

This will be the 11th meeting all-time between the Lady Cajuns of Louisiana and Wildcats. UA swept a three-game set in Tucson, Ariz., last March 22-24. Louisiana is 1-4 versus Arizona under coach Stefni Lotief. Arizona has won the last four outings between the two teams.

The Lady Cajuns and Lady Seminoles of Florida State are meeting for the 16th time all-time and the second in the KIA Klassic. Louisiana defeated FSU 12-3 in the opening game of the 1994 KIA Klassic (called the PONY Invitational back then). The two teams met last in the 2000 NFCA Leadoff Classic in a game which the Lady Cajuns won 9-1 on March 5, 2000.

Louisiana will put its season-high seven-game winning streak on the line Thursday against LBSU. The Lady Cajuns have won 12 of their last 13 games and barring a two-out error in the bottom of the sixth against Tulsa at the ULM Mardi Gras Classic and a comeback by Notre Dame could be undefeated at this point of the season.

The Lady Cajuns have launched 33 home runs this season in 16 games and have hit 26 in the last nine outings. Each member of the starting lineup has at least one homer and seven of the nine starters have hit at least three home runs.

True freshman Danyele Gomez leads the team with a .408 clip and has seven home runs and 21 RBI to her credit. The Metairie native has hit four home runs and driven in 12 runs in the last four games. She leads all Lady Cajuns with 20 hits — half of which have been for extra bases (7 HR, 3 2B). Gomez’s .898 slugging percentage is tops on the team as well.

Senior third baseman Becky McMurtry is slowly returning to the form which made her an All-American last season. The Lady Cajuns two-hole hitter has seen her batting average climb to .372 and she is coming off of a nine-game home stand in which she belted five home runs and hit .455.

McMurtry has been a well disciplined hitter this season, drawing 11 walks to just three strikeouts. Her on-base percentage is a team-best .534.

In the pitching circle the Lady Cajuns are led by sophomore Brooke Mitchell, who has tossed two no-hitters this season and is limiting the opposition to a .122 batting average. She leads the team with 74 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings of work. Mitchell has allowed just one hit in her last 11 innings in the circle and has surrendered just 21 hits this season.

Louisiana is outscoring its opponents 105-27 and is averaging 6.5 runs per outing. Louisiana has been able to jump out quickly on teams this season and has outscored its opponents 57-10 in the first three innings. The Lady Cajuns have scored 9 runs in the first inning in the last four games.

The Lady Cajuns have hit at least three home runs in one game seven times this season and have registered 11 hits four different times.

Louisiana has taken advantage of a balanced offensive attack as well. Six players have tallied double digit hits and five have double digits in the RBI department.

The KIA Klassic will be the Lady Cajuns final action on the diamond until a single game with Alabama on Thursday, March 27 at 7 p.m. at Lady Cajun Park.-->