As far as UL softball coach Michael Lotief is concerned, there's no debate when it comes to the hitting ability of senior outfielder Holly Tankersley.

"I think she is the best power hitter in the country," said Lotief, who shares coaching duties with wife, Stefni. "And I think she has been (the best) since about midway through her junior year.

"She's got the numbers to back it up."

Indeed.

Tankersley leads the nationally ranked Cajuns (15-5) in nearly every major offensive category this year coming into today's doubleheader against IUPUI at Lamson Park. The fifth-year senior from Kirbyville, Texas, leads the team in batting average (.406), hits (26), triples (two), home runs (eight), RBIs (26) and slugging percentage (.875), and has a .479 on-base percentage.

Last weekend, Tankersley hit a team-best .478 (11-for-23) to lead No. 18 UL to a 3-2 showing at the 2008 Aggie Classic in College Station, Texas. She went 4-for-6 in two games against then-No. 3 Texas A&M - including a 2-for-3 performance in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Aggies to avenge a 1-0 loss to A&M on Friday.

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Joshua Parrott
jparrott@thedvertiser.com