LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – Preseason nationally ranked Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball, the four-time defending Sun Belt regular season and tournament champions, has been chosen as the favorite to win the 2024 Sun Belt Conference softball title and Mihyia Davis captured top billing to headline the six team members selected to the 2024 Preseason All-Sun Belt Team, the conference office announced on Wednesday.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (50-16, 22-2 SBC in 2021) were the unanimous choice in the preseason SBC coaches poll, receiving all of the possible 12 first-place votes. Louisiana was selected as the conference’s preseason favorite for the sixth consecutive year.

Davis, the 2023 SBC Freshman of the Year and NFCA All-American who hit .380 and collected a nation-leading 52 stolen bases in her collegiate rookie season last spring, was chosen as the SBC Preseason Player of the Year.

Sophie Piskos (C), Lauren Allred (1B), Alexa Langeliers (2B), Brooke Ellestad (SS) and Sam Landry (P) joined Davis (OF) as Cajuns voted onto the Preseason All-SBC Team.

Audit: Louisiana-Lafayette athletics posted $8 million deficit in 2022-23

Louisiana led the entire league with six honorees on the preseason team, the next highest amount was two selections each by Coastal Carolina, South Alabama and Texas State.

The preseason poll and team were voted upon by the Sun Belt’s 12 head coaches.

Sun Belt softball teams begin play on Thursday, February 8. The 2024 Sun Belt Conference Softball Tournament will take place May 8-11 at Bobcat Softball Stadium in San Marcos, Texas.

Louisiana, an NCAA Tournament participant and 40-plus game winner each year since 1999, begins the 2024 season at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park from Thursday-Sunday, February 8-11 hosting the 38th Annual Louisiana Classics highlighted by a visit from Pac-12 member California.

Seeking to build upon their 2023 NCAA Super Regional run, the Ragin’ Cajuns are set to open the season on Thursday, February 8 at 6:00 p.m., when they begin play in the Louisiana Classics with a matchup against Chattanooga.

To view the complete 2024 season schedule, click here.

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Cajun Nation Sports

2024 SUN BELT CONFERENCE SOFTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL

1. Louisiana – 144 (12)

2. South Alabama – 127

3. Texas State – 122

4. Troy – 98

5. James Madison – 94

6. Coastal Carolina – 81

7. Marshall – 79

8. ULM – 59

9. Southern Miss – 49

10. Georgia State – 35

11. Georgia Southern – 25

12. App State – 23

2024 SUN BELT CONFERENCE SOFTBALL PRESEASON AWARDS

Preseason Player of the Year
Mihyia Davis, Louisiana (So., OF – Lovelady, Texas)

Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Jessica Mullins, Texas State (Sr., P – Tarkington, Texas)

Preseason All-Sun Belt Team
Lauren Allred, Louisiana (So., 1B – Texarkana, Texas)
Taylor McKinney, Troy (Jr., 2B – Montgomery, Ala.)
Alexa Langeliers, Louisiana (Jr., 2B – Keller, Texas)
Sydney Bickel, Marshall (Sr., SS – Peoria, Ariz.)
Brooke Ellestad, Louisiana (Jr., SS – Kimberly, Wis.)
Sara Vanderford, Texas State (Gr., 3B – Pasadena, Texas)
Delaney Keith, Coastal Carolina (So., 3B – Nampa, Idaho)
Mihyia Davis, Louisiana (So., OF – Lovelady, Texas)
Mackenzie Brasher, South Alabama (Gr., OF – Orange Beach, Ala.)
Kayt Houston, App State (Sr., OF – Rock Hill, S.C.)
Sophie Piskos, Louisiana (Sr., C – Paris, Tenn.)
Iyanla De Jesus, Coastal Carolina (Gr., DP – Mill Creek, Wash.)
Jessica Mullins, Texas State (Sr., P – Tarkington, Texas)
Olivia Lackie, South Alabama (Sr., P – Walker, La.)
Sam Landry, Louisiana (Jr., P – Mont Belvieu, Texas)

ABOUT LOUISIANA

Louisiana is coming off a fourth consecutive Sun Belt Conference regular season and tournament championship, the program’s 24th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, a No. 9 RPI rating, a Top 20 finish across the board in all major national polls, and a trip to the NCAA Super Regional round last spring.

With a now veteran-laden roster, as head coach Gerry Glasco’s No. 1 recruiting Class of 2022 now enters their junior campaign, plus the key summer transfer additions highlighted by the Florida duo of Lexie Delbrey and Sam Roe, there’s plenty reason enough for heightened expectations in the coming spring season.

This season the Ragin’ Cajuns welcome a pair of new faces to the coaching staff in defensive coach Hunter Veach and hitting coach Shellie Landry, an All-American alumnae who competed for the program from 2013-16. Their addition provides Glasco with a specific coach for every facet of the game, to go along with pitching coach Justin Robichaux.

FOLLOW THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS

Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Facebook (/RaginCajunsSB), Twitter (@RaginCajunsSB) and Instagram (@Louisiana.SB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Softball.

Fans are also encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin’ Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.