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Cajuns softball opens practice for upcoming season

Staff Report

The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns softball team held its first official team practice for the 2016 season Wednesday at Lamson Park, beginning preparation for the upcoming season, which begins in mid-February.
“It’s awesome to start a new season with lots of excitement, hope, high expectations and big dreams,” Louisiana softball head coach Michael Lotief said in a news release. “Our players and staff continue to work hard to pursue excellence.”
The Ragin’ Cajuns will continue to practice throughout January and into February leading up to the start of the 2016 season, Feb. 12-14 at the Sand Dollar Classic in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
The squad makes its Lamson Park debut in the Louisiana Classics Feb. 19-21, beginning the tournament with a 2 p.m., doubleheader against Oregon Feb. 19.
The Ragin’ Cajuns, ranked No. 11 in the final 2015 polls and coming off a fourth straight NCAA Super Regional appearance, return all but one of the nine hitters from its 2015 starting lineup that produced a school-record 116 home runs headlined by first team All-America choice and reigning NFCA/Diamond Sports Division I Catcher of the Year Lexie Elkins.
Six players who generated double-digit home run totals return in 2016: Aleah Craighton (12), Elkins (32), Haley Hayden (14), Shellie Landry (20), Kelsey Vincent (18) and Samantha Walsh (14).
Second-team All-Sun Belt selection Alex Stewart (10-2, 2.09 ERA) and Kylee Jo Trahan (2-1, 3.35 ERA) will be the veteran pitchers for the Ragin’ Cajuns in 2016. Victoria Brown, who pitched in 2013 and 2014 but missed the 2015 season with a knee injury, will provide added depth in the circle.
The Ragin’ Cajuns welcome seven freshmen: outfielder Beth Ashley (College Station, Texas/A&M Consolidated High School), pitcher Summer Ellyson (Lafayette/Teurlings Catholic High School), shortstop/utility Kara Gremillion (Gonzales/St. Amant High School), infielder Alaina Guarino (Montz/Mt. Carmel Academy), outfielder Chelsea Lotief (Lafayette/Ascension Episcopal School), catcher/third baseman Brittany Nollkamper (Katy, Texas/Cinco Ranch High School) and outfielder Shannon Theriot (Berwick/Berwick High School).

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