LOUISIANA La. - Louisiana’s softball team hosted the annual Ragin’ Cajun Classic Oct. 4 and 5 at the Southeast Texas Entertainment Complex in Beaumont, Texas. This marked the beginning of their fall schedule, and to wrap up the fall tournament schedule, the ladies competed in the Spring Klein College Classic Oct. 11 and 12.

The three-time defending Sun Belt Conference champions and 2003 Women’s College World Series participant, Louisiana returns six of eight position starters and its two starting pitchers from last season. The Lady Cajuns added six freshmen this year.

Co-head coach Stephanie Lotief refers to these games as situational scrimmages.

“We got a lot accomplished in our fall season scrimmages,” said Lotief. “We have a couple of weeks to practice and work on some things before our season starts.”

The Lady Cajuns did exceptionally well in their situational scrimmages. In the annual Ragin’ Cajun Classic, Louisiana came out on top against all three opponents: McNeese State, Hill College and Prairie View. The outcome for the Spring Klein College Classic was four wins and one tie.The Lady Cajuns tied with Texas State and defeated Texas A&M, Texas-San Antonio, Baylor and Stephen F. Austin. Each of these teams were all ranked in the top 20 of the country last season. With the fall season completed, Lotief said she felt this year might be a year where they could put players in different positions.

“I think seeing players in good positions is what we will continue to work on,” Lotief said.

Co-head coach Michael Lotief said, “The fall is a time to formulate only impressions not conclusions. This is like preseason football, you need to take a look at all your players and make some evaluations and develop depth and put your players in tough positions so they can learn.”

Original link to The Vermilion story.

Janmel Beckham - Sports Writer