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. 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.
Coaches poll 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
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 17 Bailey Curry – junior
Coaching staff 2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns coaching staffGerry 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/CancellationBoldLouisiana team member