The Book: 2003 Softball

[Louisiana]

47-11

Softball Forums

[NewsCopy]

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.

LOUISIANA SI

[NewsCopy]

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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[NewsCopy]

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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[Pirogue]

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.

[NewsCopy]

GOMEZ AND BRYANT HIGHLIGHT LADY CAJUNS SWEEP OF LA. TECH

Freshmen each hit two home runs it first two collegiate at bats to pace Louisiana’s offensive attack

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

ULSI

[NewsCopy]

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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[NewsCopy]

Lady Cajuns rained out in Monroe

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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[RaginRash]

MONROE Mardi Gras ???? :confused: :confused:


LOL!!!

[NewsCopy]

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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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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[NewsCopy]

Louisiana sophomore hurler tossed perfect game in season opener

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.

ULSI