Louisiana Ragin' Cajun softball placed 3 players on the NFCA Division I All-America team, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced today.

Cajun senior catcher Lexie Elkins was named to the 1st team. Sophomore pitcher Alex Stewart and outfielder Aleah Craighton were both named 2nd team.

For Elkins, it is her third straight year being named an NFCA All-American, and second consecutive year she's been named to the 1st team.

Elkins, Stewart and Craighton have given Louisiana softball 51 All-American selections in program history.

“When we look at individual awards, especially All-Americans, it’s not only a reflection of those individual players, but also a reflection the entire program, the University and more importantly the fan base,” Louisiana softball head coach Michael Lotief said in a University press release. “Hopefully there are a lot of people that take pride in these kids receiving our sports highest honor. What a great honor for Ragin’ Cajun Nation and all of 'Us'. It’s a day to be extremely proud.”

Lotief lauded the achievements of his All-Americans, citing their hard work.

“A big reason for the honor is their preparation, skill set, numbers and how they competed,” Lotief noted. “But in the bigger picture it’s about this connection between the fan base, University and the community in nurturing these kids to be motivated to be the best that they can be."

Louisiana finished the 2016 season last week in Norman, Oklahoma at the NCAA Super Regionals, ending the year with an impressive 46-9 record.

RAGIN' CAJUNS SOFTBALL ALL-AMERICANS ARCHIVE - courtesy of Matt Hebert and the Ragin' Cajun athletic department.
1989: Stefni Whitton
1990: Stefni Whitton (1st)
1991: Dorsey Steamer
1992: Dorsey Steamer (1st), Cathy Sconzo, Kyla Hall
1993: Kyla Hall (1st), Lynn Britton
1994: Kyla Hall (1st), Kathy Morton (1st), Stephanie DeFeo (1st), Lynn Britton, Alyson Habetz, Lana Jimenez
1995: Cheryl Longeway (1st), Kathy Morton (1st), Lynn Britton, Stephanie DeFeo, Lana Jimenez, Tiffany Whittall
1996: Cheryl Longeway (1st), Lynn Britton
1997: Stephanie DeFeo, Tiffany Clark
1999: Tiffany Clark, Kelli Bruce
2000: Tiffany Clark (1st), Jana Mower
2001: Alana Addison
2002: Becky McMurtry
2003: Danyele Gomez, Becky McMurtry
2004: Brooke Mitchell (1st)
2005: Danyele Gomez
2006: Danyele Gomez (1st)
2008: Holly Tankersley (1st)
2009: Karli Hubbard
2011: Gabriele Bridges, Christi Orgeron
2012: Christi Orgeron (1st), Nerissa Myers, Katie Smith
2013: Brianna Cherry, Sarah Draheim
2014: Lexie Elkins, Christina Hamilton
2015: Lexie Elkins (1st), Shellie Landry
2016: Lexie Elkins (1st), Aleah Craighton, Alex Stewart

 

 

More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL