LAFAYETTE, La. Louisiana-Lafayette belted a Sun Belt Tournament-record six home runs, and the ninth-ranked Ragin Cajuns continued its dominance in the league tournament with a 19-0 championship win over Middle Tennessee on Saturday at Lady Cajun Park.

 

UL Lafayette freshman Holly Tankersley had two home runs and five RBIs, as the Cajuns (55-6) won their fifth straight Sun Belt Tournament title.

 

Junior right-hander Brooke Mitchell, who was named the tournaments Most Outstanding Player, threw 5 1/3 innings of shutout softball in winning her second game of the day and third of the tournament.

 

Mitchell (41-3) struck out eight and allowed only three hits. For the tournament, the Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year threw 18-plus scoreless innings striking out 33 while allowing only five hits.

Included in the effort was her sixth no-hitter of the season against Florida International earlier Saturday.

 

Joining Mitchell and Tankersley on the All-Tournament team was Ashley Evans.

 

MT (35-23) won three straight elimination games to reach the championship. The Lady Raiders had three All-Tournament selections (Leah Grothause, Melissa Weiland, Crystal Bobo).

 

Full tournament information, including updated tournament times and bracket information, is available at www.sunbeltsports.org and www.ragincajuns.com.

 

-- SUN BELT CONFERENCE --

 

2004 ALL-SUN BELT TOURNAMENT TEAM

Crystal Bobo, P                                  Middle Tennessee

Ashley Evans, 1B                                Louisiana-Lafayette

Leah Grothause, C                              Middle Tennessee

Katy Maxey, P/DP                              North Texas

Brooke Mitchell, P                               Louisiana-Lafayette

Veronica Owens, OF                           New Mexico State

Holly Tankersley, OF                           Louisiana-Lafayette

Cindy Turek, 1B                                  Florida International

Melissa Weiland, 3B                           Middle Tennessee       

 

MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER Brooke Mitchell, Louisiana-Lafayette

 

 

MIDDLE TENNESSEE HEAD COACH CINDY CONNELEY

It was great to play in the championship game. I just thought we ran out of gas after playing six games. This is a special group, and I and the staff are really proud of their accomplishments.

                     

LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE HEAD COACH STEFNI LOTIEF

It was a total team effort. Everybody stepped in and captured the championship moment. We really had a good tournament, and we hope we can carry it over to NCAA Regionals.