Cajun Softballers Elkins & Landry Land On Prestigious Top 50 Watch List

Louisiana's Ragin' Cajun softball team returns a pair of All-Americans this season in Shellie Landry and Lexie Elkins. Both players were named to the "Watch List" of 50 players for the 2016 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award.

The top 25 finalists for the award will be announced on April 15th, before being narrowed down to 10 on May 11th, and 3 on May 25th. The winner will be announced on May 31rst.

It is awarded to the best player in D1 college softball.

"Shellie and Lexie are both well deserving of this recognition," Louisiana softball head coach Mike Lotief said in a University press release. "Everybody is aware of their productivity at the plate and their power, but what people may not know is how hard they work, how fiercely competitive they are, and how they deeply care for those around them and invest in their teammates development and growth."

Elkins, a senior catcher from Victoria, Texas, was named the NFCA/Diamond Sports Division I Catcher of the Year a season ago, is a two-time Sun Belt Conference player of the year, and a first-team All-American in 2015.

Landry, a senior outfielder from Broussard, was a first-team All-American and first-team Sun Belt Conference player a season ago.

"They understand that excellence goes beyond softball. Both of them excel in the classroom and involve themselves in our community," Lotief said in the statement. "We are blessed to have Lexie and Shellie's leadership on our team and in our community," Lotief added. "There is no doubt in my mind that they are the 'best of the best' in college athletics."

Louisiana opens up their season on Friday, February 12th at the Sand Dollar Classic tournament in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Season opening first pitch will be at 3:00 against Ball State, followed by a 6:00 game versus UAB.