Hubbard and Bourgeois Headline All-SBC

[NewsCopy]

 New Orleans - The Sun Belt Conference announced the 2009 All-Sun Belt Softball Team and seven of Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns were named to the team. Karli Hubbard, Donna Bourgeois and Christi Orgeron picked up top honors, earning Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year and Freshman of the Year, respectively.

Four Cajuns were named to the first team, while three players were tabbed second team.

Bourgeois was named first team pitcher, while her battery mate Lana Bowers was dubbed first team catcher for the second consecutive year. Melissa Verde was named first team all-conference at third base while Hubbard highlighted the first team outfield.

Gabriele Bridges joined Orgeron on the second team infield, while outfielder Katie Smith also earned all-conference accolades.

The All-Sun Belt honors for Hubbard marked the third time in her career the senior was rewarded by the conference for her performance on the field. The accolades for Bourgeois and Bowers marked the second time in their careers they were named all-conference. The award was the first of their careers for Bridges, Orgeron, Smith and Verde.

Joining the Cajuns on the first team were pitcher Ashlyn Williams (Troy), first base Mallory Cantler (North Texas), second base Terri Ellingsworth (Western Kentucky), shortstop Blair Bodenmiller (Florida Atlantic), outfielders Brianna Love and Heidi Johnson, and designated player Caitlyn Bliss (Florida Atlantic).

The second team included pitchers Ryan Rogge (Western Kentucky) and Beth Pilgrim (South Alabama), catcher Jessica Landau (FIU), third base Martha Davis (Middle Tennessee), shortstop Kala Moore (Troy), outfielders Mariza Martinez (North Texas) and Tasha Elmore (Troy) and designated player Tara Donaldson (South Alabama).

The specialty awards included: Pitcher of the Year: Bourgeois; Player of the Year: Hubbard; Freshman of the Year: Orgeron; Newcomer of the Year: Tasha Elmore (Troy); and Co-Coach of the Year: Melanie Davis (Troy) and Tyra Perry (Western Kentucky).

The Ragin’ Cajuns open up the 2009 Sun Belt Conference Tournament against in-state rival ULM. Game time against the Warhawks is slated for 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6.

UL SI

[RaginDave]

Impressive for sure, remember barring injury Brignac would have been on this list as well.

7 Cajuns made the all conference teams. Of those 7 only 1 was a senior and of all of the roster only 2 seniors on the entire team.

Here is the breakdown of the 7 players on the all conference teams for the Cajuns:

2 Juniors
2 Sophomores
1 Freshman

We lose Karli Hubbard adn Codi Runyan next year and while they are both strong players, it is not like we are losing a ton of players just one year removed from the WCWS.

The Cajuns need to go straight through the SBC tounament without losing a game. That would improve there record to 43-10 and I think all but secure a #2 seed in the regionals. That would also give us 19 game winning streak. Potentially sneaking into a #1 seed, but that would be tough, with the struggles early.

With DB, AB and BC all ready to pitch, I think we should be in strong position to again make a run at the WCWS.

The SBC Softball is getting better and better every year, this year has a chance to get multiple teams into the tournament and not if the Cajuns lose in the tournament, which would gaurentee two, but just on meirt alone. Both WKU and Troy have had strong enough seasons that they could potentially recieve an at large bid if they dont win. Not to mention that 6 of the conferences 9 teams are at or above .500 and one other is 27-28.

I remember just a short time ago, when the SBC did not have an automatic bid into the NCAA's and we were playing with only 5 teams in the conference. Now we have 9 teams and 7 of them close or above .500. Very impressive stuff. I know that softball is not everyone's most followed sport, but this is impressive for a mid major conference. The Cajuns are going to learn soon enough, that it will no longer be a forgone conclusion that we will walk through this conference every season, WKU, Troy, FIU, USA (how impressive is this, in just there 2 or 3 season in softball to finish 26-26), FAU and UNT are going to be teams to watch.

Geaux Cajuns, do your best make a run at this thing and give us something to be proud of. You are a shining star among Cajun athletes.

I love all Cajun sports, from the most popular to some of the fringe sports. I follow them all from afar, being stuck in Northern Va. When I get a chnace to see my Cajuns make a name for themselves no matter what sport it is, it makes me extremely happy.

I will be following them for the rest of the season and beyond. And for those of you who know me on this forum, there may not be a more dedicated "FAN"

Geaux Cajuns, I love my school and love my teams!!!!!

Missing seeing them in person, but it only makes me prouder when they succeed as you guys are doing!!!!!!

Now go kick some SBC ARSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Turbine]

Very nice breakdown RD.

Thanks


igeaux.mobi

[RaginDave]

Another tid bit of information for you guys.

On the Cajuns side of the draw in the SBC conference championship the Cajuns are 7-1 vs these teams, defeating them by a combined score of 69-9.

3-0 vs UNT 33-5
2-1 vs FIU 19-3
2-0 vs ULM 17-1

The matchups could not work out any better for the Cajuns.

[BeauCajun]

It's my understanding that the SBC is 8th in RPI amongst conferences. Not too shabby. We've (the conference) has come a long way.