UL Softball Opens Year In Louisiana Classic: Preview of Opponents
The 13th-ranked Louisiana Ragin' Cajun softball team opens up their 2014 schedule on Friday, in the opening day of play in the Louisiana Classic at Lamson Park.
Louisiana, who went 47-15 last season, including an NCAA Super Regional appearance, their second-straight, and third in the last four years, will take on the Northern Iowa Panthers on Friday at 2 o'clock, before facing the 10th-ranked Texas Longhorns at 4:30 pm.
On Saturday, the Cajuns will play twice again, meeting North Carolina at 2 o'clock, before a rematch with Texas at 4:30.
UL will wrap-up play in the season-opening tournament on Sunday, as they face Northern Iowa for a second time, at 11:30 am.
Let's take a look at the three team that the Cajuns will be playing:
Northern Iowa Panthers---The Panthers finished 27-26 last season and won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. They return seven starters from last season, as well as transfers Rikki Alcaraz (LSU) and Chelsea Ross (Oklahoma St.), and are picked to win their conference in 2014.
Northern Iowa hit a .252 as a team last year, with 33 home runs and 47 stolen bases, while compiling an overall team ERA. of 2.95.
The Panthers return senior pitcher Jamie Fisher, who won ten straight games, after beginning the year 1-7. She finished with an overall record of 22-15, including a 1.99 ERA.