Krystal Lewallen Transferring to Louisiana

[NewsCopy]

Northern Kentucky University standout pitcher Krystal Lewallen said Thursday she will probably transfer to a Division I school and has narrowed her decision to UCLA or the University of Louisiana

Lewallen, a right-handed hurler and incoming senior, said she considered transferring after her sophomore season but wanted to return to an intact Norse team that could make a run at a Division II title.

She informed coach Kathy StewartÖ of her plans three weeks ago and said the school then granted a release for other programs to contact her.

“I knew if I didn’t try to do this, I’d regret it for the rest of my life,” Lewallen said.

This afternoon she is awaiting a UCLA board meeting that will determine if her credits and grades will transfer, and “to make sure I’m not coming here just one year to play softball.”

Her GPA is 2.9.

Next week Lewallen is visiting Louisiana-Lafayette’s campus.

Lewallen was named 2004-2005 Collegiate Sports Awards NCAA Division II Athlete of the Year after posting a 32-1 record and leading the Norse to a consecutive NCAA Division II World Series. She struck out 335 batters, posted a 0.36 ERA, and had 20 shutouts.

The source of the story

[RaginEsquire06]

Her GPA is 2.9.

Next week Lewallen is visiting Louisiana-Lafayette’s campus.

Lewallen was named 2004-2005 Collegiate Sports Awards NCAA Division II Athlete of the Year after posting a 32-1 record and leading the Norse to a consecutive NCAA Division II World Series. She struck out 335 batters, posted a 0.36 ERA, and had 20 shutouts.

Wow! This would be a great addition!

[studentfan]

This is great timing with Brooke leaving this would be an excellent addition to the team.

[Diapason]

Krystal we would love to have you, in a Ragin' Cajun uniform. We all hope your enjoy your stay in Lafayette today, and that it leads to the best move of your life. You will love it here.

[DaddyCajun]

I actuallly spoke with her yesterday!! She was on her way to Prejeans with her parents and Coach Stef.! Gerald, CajunCharlie, Mr. Provost, and myself were making one of the final tours of the Athletic Complex to be ready for Volunteer Weekend. The fun and Food of Volunteer Weekend was talked about. Someone asked if she wanted to partake in the fun, Steph said painting was not good for her arm(laughing) and I said she could pitch food to the Volunteers, they laughed! Gerald told them of the repavement project that will kick off this coming Monday(all roads and parking-currently paved to be repaved and striped) and Lourdes park. She and her family were very nice. All four of us and I am sure ALL of you hope she signs with the Cajuns!! With Four hitters that are 20+ Homerun hitters returning, and a very talented defensive group returning, having a pitcher like her would certainly put UL over the hump(COLLEGE WORLD SERIES TITLE)!!! With Brooke Mitchell having a healthy "rib cage" last year the Cajuns at LEAST make it to the finals of the World Series!!!!!!

DaddyCajun,
Crossing his fingers and Toes!

[LuLu]

With Four hitters that are 20+ Homerun hitters returning, and a very talented defensive group returning, having a pitcher like her would certainly put UL over the hump(COLLEGE WORLD SERIES TITLE)!!!

I am wondering WHO are the returning FOUR (4) (1 + 1 + 1 + 1) Homerun hitters ??? FOUR? In softball? Is that CAREER homerun hitters? Yes, it must be CAREER, not season. Then, that would be Gomez (53) , Bertucci (25), Bryant (25) and maybe Tankersley (20). Ashley Evans had 10 in 2005, but has only 16 career homeruns. I answered my own question, huh? It must be CAREER!

[Turbine]

I wonder how many 25+ career home run hitters we can have on the team by the end of next season. Is the answer (4) the same?

[DaddyCajun]

I wonder how many 25+ career home run hitters we can have on the team by the end of next season. Is the answer (4) the same?

Yeh, yeh, career, thats the ticket!!!!! 6 career 20+ homerun hitters onthe team by end of next year!


DADDYCAJUN

[LuLu]

Yeh, yeh, career, thats the ticket!!!!! 6 career 20+ homerun hitters onthe team by end of next year!


DADDYCAJUN

Okay, I give! WHO are the six? Gomez, Bryant, Evans, Bertucci, Tankersley (?), AND.... .? Should we count Tankersley?

[NewsCopy]

Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns softball program posted a 51-10 record and rolled into the NCAA Tournament after yet another Sun Belt Conference championship in 2005.

If the Cajuns are going to keep that streak intact in 2006, they will need to reload a pitching staff depleted by the graduation of All-American ace Brooke Mitchell.

Replacing one All-American with another would be quite a coup for UL, and Krystal Lewallen might be a big part of the answer for the Cajuns.

Lewallen was the NCAA Division II National Player of the Year last season, as well as the Division II Athlete of the Year, after leading Northern Kentucky to a national record 55 straight victories and a 55-2 record in 2005.

She has obtained her release from Norse coach Kathy Stewart in hopes of pitching at the highest level of the college game, and has narrowed her choice down to Louisiana and UCLA.

Lewallen, who will have one year of college eligibility remaining, visited the UL campus last week and met University President Dr. Ray Authement, co-head coaches Stefni Lotief and Michael Lotief as well as potential Ragin' Cajun teammates at that time.

As with high school recruiting, neither coach is allowed to comment on prospective student-athletes before they are members of the program.

Lewallen struck out 335 batters, had a 0.36 earned run average and posted 20 shutouts en route to a 32-1 record in the circle for the Norse in 2005.

"I love this team, and I'm on good terms with Coach (Stewart), but I feel like I've reached a peak at this level," Lewallen told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I wanted to play with some of the best teams in the country, which will give me a chance to play after school."

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com