2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball team

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2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball
Baton Rouge Regionals appearance
Sun Belt Conference Tournament champions
Sun Belt Conference Regular season Champions
ConferenceSun Belt Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 15
Record47–12 (21–3 SBC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Mike Roberts
  • Lacy Prejean
Home stadiumYvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Sun Belt Conference softball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
No. 15 Louisiana  ‍†‍‡‍y 21 – 3   .875 47 – 12   .797
Texas State  ‍‍‍y 17 – 6   .739 39 – 14   .736
Troy  ‍‍‍y 17 – 6   .739 37 – 17   .685
South Alabama  ‍‍‍y 13 – 9   .591 31 – 21   .596
Appalachian State  ‍‍‍ 8 – 12   .400 27 – 19   .587
Georgia Southern  ‍‍‍ 9 – 14   .391 17 – 26   .395
UT Arlington  ‍‍‍ 9 – 14   .391 17 – 34   .333
Coastal Carolina  ‍‍‍ 9 – 15   .375 21 – 24   .467
Louisiana–Monroe  ‍‍‍ 6 – 15   .286 17 – 32   .347
Georgia State  ‍‍‍ 3 – 18   .143 16 – 30   .348
† – Conference champion
‡ – Tournament champion
y – Invited to the NCAA tournament
As of May 23, 2021[1]
Rankings from NFCA


The 2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball team represented the University of Louisiana at Lafayette during the 2021 NCAA Division I softball season. The Ragin' Cajuns played their home games at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park and were led by fourth-year head coach Gerry Glasco. They were members of the Sun Belt Conference.

Previous season[edit]

On March 12, 2020, the Sun Belt Conference announced the indefinite suspension of all spring athletics, including softball, due to the increasing risk of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] On March 16, the Sun Belt formally announced the cancelation of all spring sports, thus ending their season definitely.

The Cajuns finished the abbreviated season 1st in the only-released RPI in the NCAA, thus making them the claimed "RPI National Champions".

Preseason[edit]

Sun Belt Conference Coaches Poll[edit]

The Sun Belt Conference Coaches Poll was released on February 8, 2021. Louisiana was picked to finish first in the Sun Belt Conference with 100 votes and 10 first place votes, all first place votes available, for the second year in a row.[3]

Coaches poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Louisiana 100 (10)
2 Troy 87
3 Texas State 72
4 Coastal Carolina 68
4 UT Arlington 68
6 Appalachian State 43
7 Georgia Southern 38
8 South Alabama 36
9 Louisiana-Monroe 22
10 Georgia State 16

Preseason All-Sun Belt team[edit]

  • Summer Ellyson (LA, SR, Pitcher)
  • Leanna Johnson (TROY, SO, Pitcher)
  • Alissa Dalton (LA, SR, Shortstop/3rd Base)
  • Katie Webb (TROY, SR, Infielder/1st Base)
  • Raina O'Neal (LA, JR, Outfielder)
  • Julie Raws (LA, SR, Catcher)
  • Courney Dean (CCU, SR, Outfielder)
  • Mekhia Freeman (GASO, SR, Outfielder)
  • Korie Kreps (ULM, JR, Outfielder)'
  • Kaitlyn Alderink (LA, SR, 2nd Base)
  • Jade Gortarez (LA, SR, Shortstop/3rd Base)
  • Ciara Bryan (LA, SR, Outfielder)
  • Kelly Horne (TROY, SO, Infielder/2nd Base)
  • Makiya Thomas (CCU, SR, Outfielder/Infielder)
  • Tara Oltmann (TXST, SR, Infielder/Shortstop)
  • Jayden Mount (ULM, SR, Infielder)
  • Katie Lively (TROY, SO, Outfielder)

Sun Belt Conference Preseason Player of the Year

  • Alissa Dalton (LA, SR, Shortstop/3rd Base)

Sun Belt Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year

  • Summer Ellyson (LA, SR, Pitcher)

National Softball Signing Day[edit]

[4]

Player Position Hometown Previous Team
Jacquelyn Adams Infielder Bryan, Texas Bryan HS
Jessica Adams Pitcher Bryan, Texas Bryan HS
Laney Credeur Infielder Old Mines, Missouri Kingston
Kramer Eschete Outfielder Brenham, Texas Brenham HS
Kayla Falterman Outfielder The Woodlands, Texas The Woodlands HS
Samantha Graeter Outfielder/Utility Spring, Texas Oak Ridge HS
Maddie Hayden Outfielder/Utility West Monroe, Louisiana West Monroe HS
Elia Hebel Infielder Albany, Texas Albany HS
Samantha Landry Pitcher Mont Belvieu, Texas Barbers Hill HS
Alexa Langeliers Infielder Keller, Texas Keller HS
Tyler Oubre Pitcher Destrehan, Louisiana Destrehan HS
McKenzie Wittenberg Outfielder Fort Myers, Florida Riverdale HS

Roster[edit]

2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns roster
 

Pitchers

  • 7 Karly Heath – sophomore
  • 9 Summer Ellyson – senior
  • 18 Casey Dixon – junior
  • 26 Taylor Snow – freshman
  • 27 Vanessa Foreman – sophomore
  • 53 Kandra Lamb – sophomore
  • 71 Brinson Rogers – freshman

Outfielders

  • 2 Raina O'Neal – junior
  • 4 Ciara Bryan – senior
  • 5 Frankie Izard – sophomore
  • 6 Morgan Gray – senior
  • 8 Taylor Roman – freshman
  • 16 Kendall Talley – sophomore
  • 44 Jenna Kean – junior
  

Catchers

  • 19 Sophie Piskos – freshman
  • 23 Julie Rawls – senior

Infielders

  • 3 Kyleigh Sand – freshman
  • 10 Justice Milz – senior
  • 15 Kaitlyn Alderink – senior
  • 21 Melissa Mayeux – junior
  • 22 Alissa Dalton – senior
  • 24 Jade Gortarez – senior
  • 28 Carrie Boswell – junior
  • 99 Delaney Enlow – freshman

Designated Player

  • 17 Bailey Curry – junior

Coaching staff[edit]

2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns coaching staff
  • Gerry Glasco – Head coach – 4th year
  • Mike Roberts – Associate Head coach – 3rd year
  • Lacy Prejean – Assistant Head coach – 3rd year
  • Kevin Meyers – Volunteer Assistant Coach – 1st year
  • Ashley Pauly – Chief of Staff – 3rd year

Schedule and results[edit]

Legend
  Louisiana win
  Louisiana loss
  Postponement/Cancellation
Bold Louisiana team member
2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball Game Log
Regular season (40-10)
February (9-3)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SBC record
Louisiana Classics
Feb. 13 Missouri State No. 9 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Lafayette
Feb. 13 No. 22 Baylor No. 9 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Lafayette
Feb. 14 Missouri State No. 9 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Lafayette
Feb. 14 No. 22 Baylor No. 9 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA Game cancelled due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Lafayette
Feb. 16 at Lamar No. 9 Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX Game postponed due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Beaumont
Feb. 16 at Lamar No. 9 Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX Game postponed due to threat of freezing rain/sleet/snow in Beaumont
UAB Green & Gold Classic
Feb. 20 vs. Jacksonville State No. 9 Mary Bowers Field • Birmingham, AL W 8-2 Lamb (1-0) Watkins (0-1) None 97 1-0
Feb. 20 at UAB No. 9 Mary Bowers Field • Birmingham, AL W 1-0 Ellyson (1-0) Woodham (0-2) None CUSA.TV 261 2-0
Feb. 21 vs. Southeastern Louisiana No. 9 Mary Bowers Field • Birmingham, AL W 9-1 (6 inn) Lamb (2-0) Hannabas (0-1) None 55 3-0
Feb. 21 at UAB No. 9 Mary Bowers Field • Birmingham, AL W 8-2 Ellyson (2-0) Woodham (0-3) None CUSA.TV 226 4-0
Feb. 23 Eastern Illinois No. 9 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 9-0 (5 inn) Dixon (1-0) Montgomery (2-1) None 309 5-0
Feb. 24 McNeese State No. 9 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 8-7 (8 inn) Ellyson (3-0) Tate (0-3) None 244 6-0
Louisiana-LSU Crossover
Feb. 25 No. 11 LSU No. 9 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA L 0-4 Gorsuch (1-0) Ellyson (3-1) None ESPN+ 318 6-1
Feb. 26 Buffalo No. 9 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 7-0 Lamb (3-0) Marcano (0-3) None 243 7-1
Feb. 26 Buffalo No. 9 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 16-0 (5 inn) Dixon (2-0) Hickingbottom (0-1) None 243 8-1
Feb. 27 vs. No. 10 Oklahoma State No. 9 Tiger Park • Baton Rouge, LA W 7-1 Ellyson (4-1) Simunek (1-1) None 245 9-1
Feb. 27 at No. 11 LSU No. 9 Tiger Park • Baton Rouge, LA L 2-3 Gorsuch (2-0) Ellyson (4-2) Kiponen (1) SECN+ 456 9-2
Feb. 28 No. 10 Oklahoma State No. 9 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA L 3-5 (9 inn) Eberle (5-0) Lamb (3-1) None 266 9-3
March (13-3)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SBC record
Mar. 3 at McNeese State No. 12 Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA W 5-4 Dixon (3-0) Tate (0-5) Ellyson (1) 219 10-3
Mar. 4 Baylor No. 12 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA L 1-8 Rodoni (2-2) Ellyson (4-3) None ESPN+ 262 10-4
Mar. 6 at Memphis No. 12 Tigers Softball Complex • Memphis, TN W 7-2 Lamb (4-1) Johnson (0-1) None 11-4
Mar. 6 at Memphis No. 12 Tigers Softball Complex • Memphis, TN W 9-0 (5 inns) Heath (1-0) Ellett (0-5) None 326 12-4
Mar. 7 at Memphis No. 12 Tigers Softball Complex • Memphis, TN W 11-7 Lamb (5-1) Nichols (1-3) None 147 13-4
Mar. 13 Georgia Southern No. 14 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA Game postponed due to threat of severe weather in Lafayette
Mar. 13 Georgia Southern No. 14 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA Game postponed due to threat of severe weather in Lafayette
Mar. 14 Georgia Southern No. 14 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA Game postponed due to threat of severe weather in Lafayette
Mar. 18 at No. 10 Texas No. 15 Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX L 0-4 O'Leary (3-0) Lamb (5-2) None LHN 434 13-5
Mar. 18 at No. 10 Texas No. 15 Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX W 10-9 Ellyson (5-3) Jacobsen (6-2) None LHN 434 14-5
Mar. 19 at UT Arlington No. 15 Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX W 9-6 Lamb (6-2) Henriksen (0-2) None 156 15-5 1-0
Mar. 20 at UT Arlington No. 15 Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX L 3-8 Gardiner (2-1) Ellyson (5-4) None 156 15-6 1-1
Mar. 21 at UT Arlington No. 15 Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX W 4-2 Lamb (7-2) Gardiner (2-2) None 156 16-6 2-1
Mar. 24 Louisiana Tech No. 16 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA Game postponed to April 20 due to threat of inclement weather in Lafayette
Mar. 26 RV South Alabama No. 16 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 1-0 Ellyson (6-4) Lackie (11-4) None 282 17-6 3-1
Mar. 27 RV South Alabama No. 16 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 1-0 Lamb (8-2) Hughen (3-4) None 291 18-6 4-1
Mar. 28 RV South Alabama No. 16 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 6-0 Lamb (9-2) Lackie (11-5) None 304 19-6 5-1
Mar. 28 Georgia Southern No. 16 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 9-2 Lamb (10-2) Waldrep (2-3) None 228 20-6 6-1
Mar. 29 Georgia Southern No. 16 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 6-0 Ellyson (7-4) Richardson (2-3) None ESPN+ 219 21-6 7-1
Mar. 29 Georgia Southern No. 16 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 7-3 Lamb (11-2) Feil (0-4) None ESPN+ 267 22-6 8-1
April (13-3)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SBC record
Apr. 2 at Georgia State No. 16 Robert E. Heck Softball Complex • Decatur, GA W 10-2 (5 inns) Ellyson (8-4) Doolittle (0-2) None 125 23-6 9-1
Apr. 2 at Georgia State No. 16 Robert E. Heck Softball Complex • Decatur, GA W 4-0 Lamb (12-2) Mooney (4-6) None 125 24-6 10-1
Apr. 3 at Georgia State No. 16 Robert E. Heck Softball Complex • Decatur, GA W 13-1 (5 inns) Ellyson (9-4) Mooney (4-7) None 127 25-6 11-1
Apr. 5 at Lamar No. 16 Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX W 18-0 (5 inns) Lamb (13-2) Reyna (1-10) None 119 26-6
Apr. 5 at Lamar No. 16 Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX W 10-0 (5 inns) Dixon (4-0) Mixon (1-10) None 119 27-6
Apr. 6 at Sam Houston State No. 14 Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX W 8-3 Ellyson (10-4) Dunn (4-6) None 107 28-6
Apr. 7 at Houston No. 14 Cougar Softball Stadium • Houston, TX W 12-5 Ellyson (11-4) Hertenberger (5-6) None 243 29-6
Apr. 9 at RV Troy No. 14 Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 5-2 Ellyson (12-4) Johnson (15-4) None ESPN+ 192 30-6 12-1
Apr. 10 at RV Troy No. 14 Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 8-7 Lamb (14-2) Bailey (3-2) Ellyson (2) ESPN+ 135 31-6 13-1
Apr. 11 at RV Troy No. 14 Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 10-2 (6 inns) Ellyson (13-4) Baker (4-3) None ESPN+ 81 32-6 14-1
Apr. 13 Southeastern Louisiana No. 14 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA Game cancelled due to threat of inclement weather in Lafayette
Apr. 17 Texas State No. 14 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA L 1-5 Mullins (14-3) Lamb (14-3) None ESPN+ 289 32-7 14-2
Apr. 17 Texas State No. 14 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 7-3 Ellyson (14-4) Mullins (14-4) None ESPN+ 289 33-7 15-2
Apr. 18 Texas State No. 14 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 8-0 (6 inns) Ellyson (15-4) Mullins (14-5) None ESPN+ 283 34-7 16-2
Apr. 20 Louisiana Tech No. 13 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 7-0 Ellyson (16-4) Pickett (4-10) None ESPN+ 262 35-7
Apr. 24 at No. 5 Alabama No. 13 Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL L 3-5 Fouts (15-3) Ellyson (16-5) None SECN+ 1,413 35-8
Apr. 25 at No. 5 Alabama No. 13 Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL L 1-5 Goodman (6-1) Lamb (14-4) Fouts (3) SECN+ 1,596 35-9
May (5-1)
Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SBC record
May 1 at Coastal Carolina No. 13 St. Johns Stadium – Charles Wade-John Lott Field • Conway, SC W 7-2 Lamb (15-4) De Jesus (5-7) None ESPN+ 125 36-9 17-2
May 1 at Coastal Carolina No. 13 St. Johns Stadium – Charles Wade-John Lott Field • Conway, SC W 7-0 Ellyson (17-5) Beasley-Polko (9-9) None ESPN+ 125 37-9 18-2
May 2 at Coastal Carolina No. 13 St. Johns Stadium – Charles Wade-John Lott Field • Conway, SC W 10-2 (5 inns) Ellyson (18-5) Brabham (5-6) None ESPN+ 125 38-9 19-2
May 6 Louisiana–Monroe No. 14 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 10-1 (5 inns) Ellyson (19-5) Chavarria (1-10) None 543 39-9 20-2
May 7 Louisiana–Monroe No. 14 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA W 8-6 Ellyson (20-5) Hulett (5-8) None ESPN+ 894 40-9 21-2
May 8 Louisiana–Monroe No. 14 Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park • Lafayette, LA L 1-2 Coons (5-4) Ellyson (20-6) None ESPN+ 961 40-10 21-3
Post-season (7-2)
SBC Tournament (4-0)
Date Opponent (Seed)/Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record Tournament record
May 12 vs. (9) Louisiana–Monroe (1)/No. 14 Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 7-0 Lamb (16-4) Hulett (6-10) None ESPN+ 173 41-10 1-0
May 13 vs. (4) South Alabama (1)/No. 14 Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 10-3 Ellyson (21-6) Lackie (17-10) None ESPN+ 167 42-10 2-0
May 14 vs. (2) Texas State (1)/No. 14 Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 4-3 Ellyson (22-6) King (11-4) None ESPN+ 188 43-10 3-0
May 15 vs. (4) South Alabama (1)/No. 14 Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL W 15-3 (5 inns) Ellyson (23-6) Hardy (4-3) None ESPN+ 279 44-10 4-0
NCAA Division I softball tournament (3-2)
Date Opponent (Seed)/Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record Tournament record
Baton Rouge Regionals
May 21 vs. (3) George Washington (2)/No. 15 Tiger Park • Baton Rouge, LA W 1-0 (11 inns) Ellyson (24-6) Lange (21-9) None ESPN3 1,894 45-10 1-0
May 22 vs. (1)/No. 16 LSU (2)/No. 15 Tiger Park • Baton Rouge, LA L 3-10 Sunseri (11-6) Ellyson (24-7) None SECN 2,475 45-11 1-1
May 22 vs. (4) McNeese State (2)/No. 15 Tiger Park • Baton Rouge, LA W 4-0 Ellyson (25-7) Edwards (9-3) Lamb (1) ESPN3 1,920 46-11 2-1
May 23 vs. (1)/No. 16 LSU (2)/No. 15 Tiger Park • Baton Rouge, LA W 2-0 Lamb (17-4) Kilponen (14-8) None SECN 47-11 3-1
May 23 vs. (1)/No. 16 LSU (2)/No. 15 Tiger Park • Baton Rouge, LA L 5-8 Kilponen (15-8) Lamb (17-5) None ESPNU 2,285 47-12 3-2
Schedule Source:[5]

*Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the NFCA/USA Softball poll.

Baton Rouge Regional[edit]

Baton Rouge Regional Teams
(1) LSU Lady Tigers (2) Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (3) George Washington Colonials (4) McNeese State Cowgirls
First RoundSemi-FinalsFinals
7LSU10
McNeese State2
7LSU10
Louisiana3
George Washington0
Louisiana1
7LSU08
Louisiana25
Lower round 1Lower final
McNeese State0
McNeese State12Louisiana4
George Washington0

Postseason[edit]

Conference accolades[edit]

  • Player of the Year: Ciara Bryan – LA
  • Pitcher of the Year: Summer Ellyson – LA
  • Freshman of the Year: Sara Vanderford – TXST
  • Newcomer of the Year: Ciara Bryan – LA
  • Coach of the Year: Gerry Glasco – LA

References:[6]

Rankings[edit]

Main article: 2021 NCAA Division I softball rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
NFCA / USA Today[7]999121415161614141313141415
Softball America[8]898121616201716151415151717
ESPN.com/USA Softball[9]9107131415171717171818181818
D1Softball[10]789121616181616151516131414

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2021 Softball Standings". SunBeltSports.org. Sun Belt Conference. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  2. ^ Conference, Sun Belt. "Sun Belt Statement on Spring Sports Competitions". sunbeltsports.org.
  3. ^ Conference, Sun Belt. "Sun Belt Conference Announces Preseason Softball Honors". sunbeltsports.org. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  4. ^ "Louisiana Announces Final Additions to 2021 Softball Recruiting Class". Louisiana Athletics. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  5. ^ "Louisiana Softball Unveils 2021 Season Schedule". Louisiana Athletics. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  6. ^ "Sun Belt Announces 2021 Softball Postseason All-Conference, Individual Awards". sunbeltsports.org. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  7. ^ "2020 NCAA Division I Top 25". www.softballamerica.com. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  8. ^ "2021 D-I Top 25". SoftballAmerica.com. Baseball America Enterprises. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  9. ^ "NCAA College Rankings and Polls - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  10. ^ "Top 25 Archives • D1Softball". D1Softball. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
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