UL junior catcher Lexie Elkins

 

Louisiana Ragin' Cajun softball catcher Lexie Elkins was named one of 26 finalists for the 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball on Wednesday.

The plan was to announce 25 finalists, but due to a tie, there are now 26.

Elkins, junior from Victoria, Texas,  is one of 11 juniors on the list, which also includes 12 seniors, two sophomores, and one freshman.

The lone representative of the Sun Belt Conference, Elkins is currently hitting a .340, and leads the nation in home runs, with 19, while driving in 48 runs.

A Third-Team All-American in 2014, Elkins becomes the first UL player to make the final 25 since Christi Orgeron in 2012.

Just prior to the start of postseason play on May 6 the list will be narrowed to the Top 10 Finalists. The Top 3 Finalists will be announced May 20, while the winner of the 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be revealed on May 26 prior to the start of the NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.

Here is a complete list of the Top 26 Finalists, which also features LSU's AJ Andrews and Bianka Bell, for the 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award.

More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL