Julie Rawls May Provide UL Softball With A First

The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns have a long and prestigious softball history, but a newcomer may become the first player in program history to do something specific.

Junior Julie Rawls, who spent the previous two seasons at Northwestern St., before transferring to UL over the summer, may become the first left-hander to catch in a game for the program.

I say "may", because there are no official records to prove me right, or otherwise, but I can't think of you. Can you?

Lexie Comeaux is the returning catcher, and she will likely see the bulk of the workload behind the plate, but she'll also DH, just to give her some rest.

In the fall, Comeaux has also seen time in right field, as the Cajuns want to get Rawls as much work behind the plate as possible.

Rawls, who never caught before prior to transferring, is showing major improvement every day at her new spot.

A native of Hallsville, Texas, Rawls hit a .296 for Northwestern St. in 2017, to go along with 10 home runs and 36 runs batted in.

A left-handed hitter, Rawls also collected 17 outfield assists last season.

And that's why coach Glasco wanted to see her catch, because of her outstanding arm.

A standout player at Hallsville High School, Rawls was named a three-time all-state selection while being tabbed the Class 5A Player of the Year in Texas by MaxPreps as a senior.

So, is a left-hander catcher a negative?

Well, maybe a little, because they're different, and because most hitters are right-handed, which makes it a little more difficult for a left-handed catcher to throw out runners trying to steal, but there have been many good left-hander catchers and many successful teams that have had left-handed catchers.

Really, it's not that big of a deal, at least in softball.

Rawls, working with Comeaux this year, learning the position, should become really good behind the plate in 2020.

With Rawls and Tiana Patrick in the fold for 2020, the Cajuns should have good catching depth, even after Comeaux, who has been so good in her career, graduates.

Cajun will likely see a first in 2019 with Rawls; a left-handed catcher.