American college softball season
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 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
Sun Belt Conference Coaches Poll 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 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 [ 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
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
Coaching staff
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
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
Baton Rouge Regional Teams
(1) LSU Lady Tigers
(2) Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
(3) George Washington Colonials
(4) McNeese State Cowgirls
First Round Semi-Finals Finals 7 LSU 10 McNeese State 2 7 LSU 10 Louisiana 3 George Washington 0 Louisiana 1 7 LSU 0 8 Louisiana 2 5 Lower round 1 Lower final McNeese State 0 McNeese State 12 Louisiana 4 George Washington 0
Postseason
Conference accolades 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
All Conference First Team
Ciara Bryan (LA)
Summer Ellyson (LA)
Sara Vanderford (TXST)
Leanna Johnson (TROY)
Jessica Mullins (TXST)
Olivia Lackie (USA)
Kj Murphy (UTA)
Katie Webb (TROY)
Jayden Mount (ULM)
Kandra Lamb (LA)
Kendall Talley (LA)
Meredith Keel (USA)
Tara Oltmann (TXST)
Jade Sinness (TROY)
Katie Lively (TROY)
All Conference Second Team
Kelly Horne (TROY)
Meagan King (TXST)
Mackenzie Brasher (USA)
Bailee Wilson (GASO)
Makiya Thomas (CCU)
Kaitlyn Alderink (LA)
Abby Krzywiecki (USA)
Kenzie Longanecker (APP)
Alissa Dalton (LA)
Julie Rawls (LA)
Korie Kreps (ULM)
Kayla Rosado (CCU)
Justice Milz (LA)
Gabby Buruato (APP)
Arieann Bell (TXST)
References: [ 6]
Rankings Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final NFCA / USA Today[ 7] 9 9 9 12 14 15 16 16 14 14 13 13 14 14 15 Softball America[ 8] 8 9 8 12 16 16 20 17 16 15 14 15 15 17 17 ESPN.com/USA Softball[ 9] 9 10 7 13 14 15 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 18 18 D1Softball[ 10] 7 8 9 12 16 16 18 16 16 15 15 16 13 14 14
References
^ "2021 Softball Standings" . SunBeltSports.org . Sun Belt Conference. Retrieved February 13, 2021 .
^ Conference, Sun Belt. "Sun Belt Statement on Spring Sports Competitions" . sunbeltsports.org .
^ Conference, Sun Belt. "Sun Belt Conference Announces Preseason Softball Honors" . sunbeltsports.org . Retrieved February 14, 2021 .
^ "Louisiana Announces Final Additions to 2021 Softball Recruiting Class" . Louisiana Athletics . Retrieved February 14, 2021 .
^ "Louisiana Softball Unveils 2021 Season Schedule" . Louisiana Athletics . Retrieved February 14, 2021 .
^ "Sun Belt Announces 2021 Softball Postseason All-Conference, Individual Awards" . sunbeltsports.org . Retrieved January 5, 2022 .
^ "2020 NCAA Division I Top 25" . www.softballamerica.com . Retrieved February 14, 2021 .
^ "2021 D-I Top 25" . SoftballAmerica.com . Baseball America Enterprises. Retrieved February 13, 2021 .
^ "NCAA College Rankings and Polls - ESPN" . ESPN.com . Retrieved February 14, 2021 .
^ "Top 25 Archives • D1Softball" . D1Softball . Retrieved February 14, 2021 .
Venues Coaches Seasons Women's College World Series appearances in italics