UL - Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns softball team signed seven players to national letters of intent and those incoming freshman have garnered numerous honors throughout the year with their respective teams.
The Lady Cajuns softball team announced the signing of five players on National Signing Day and another two signees on Nov. 18. Brianna Cherry (Petal, Miss.), Sarah Draheim (Flower Mound, Texas), Jennifer Martin (Lafayette, La.), Nerissa Myers (Petal, Miss.), Britni Soria (Fort Worth, Texas), Jensen Tydelski (Pearland, Texas) and Meagan Waterman (Ashburn, Va.) all signed National Letters of Intent to play softball for Louisiana. The seven players consist of three utility players, two infielders, an outfielder and a catcher.
Tydelski was named the All Greater Houston Player of the Year. She hit over .500 for the year and led all 5A players in Texas in both hits and stolen bases. Tydelski led the Pearland Lady Oilers to a 2009 5A State Runner Up finish. The outfielder was named Texas Sports Writers Association 5A First Team All-State, UIL 5A All-Tournament Team, First Team All-Greater Houston Team, TGCA 5A All-State, All-Brazoria County Offensive Player of the Year, TGCA 4A/5A East All-Star and First Team 22-5A All-District.
Waterman, who boasted a .350 batting average, led Broad Run Lady Spartans to the Regional II Championship in Virginia. The Lady Spartans got on the scoreboard first in the bottom half of the inning and Broad Run added to their lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning when Waterman beat a throw home on a ground ball in the infield, making the score 2-0. Waterman’s run proved to be the game-winner Broad Run’s opponent, Orange County, plated a run in the seventh inning. Waterman and the Lady Spartans held on for the 2-1 victory to claim the championship.
The Cajuns’ duo from Mississippi both picked up All-State honors from the Clarion Ledger. Cherry was named First Team All-State Outfield at Petal High School, while Myers was named Second Team All-State Infield out of Oak Grove High School. The duo also played for the South team in Class 5A/4A All-Star Fast-Pitch games.
Marcus High School’s Draheim captured Catcher of the Year honors for the second-straight year. Draheim didn’t allow a single stolen base during district play. “The thing about Sarah is that she forced teams to change their game plan when facing us because she was so good in the field and great at the plate,” Marcus head softball coach Christy Tumilty said. “They either pitched around her or didn’t try to steal on her.”
In addition, Soria was named the District 6-4A Offensive Player of the Year in the state of Texas. She hit 15 home runs on the season, leading her team to the district and regional championships.
Martin led St. Thomas More to the 5A state championship, en route to All-Acadiana and All State honors. The shortstop batted .317 with eight doubles, two triples, a home run and 28 RBI. Martin also competed in the Louisiana High School All-Star games.
The Ragin’ Cajuns signees will report for fall drills when the semester starts in August.
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