Megan Kleist Officially Transfers to Louisiana
All-American pitcher Megan Kleist is officially transferring to Louisiana-Lafayette. As first reported by FastpitchNews, last week.
All-American Megan Kleist Joins Louisiana Softball
Full Release ⤵️ https://t.co/NnwEMMF1Aj#GeauxCajuns ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/pZ2PwMbVq1
— Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns® Softball (@RaginCajunsSB) December 14, 2018
Kleist is coming off a junior season where she was named a 2018 NFCA First Team All-American and the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year. She also helped lead Oregon to the Pac-12 Championship and a Women’s College World Series appearance. During her three seasons at Oregon, Kleist won at least 15 games each year, compiled a 59-18 career record, and a 1.60 ERA over 477 innings pitched.
Kleist claimed Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors, was awarded All-American accolades in 2017, and was a NFCA All-Pacific Region selection three times.
Kleist announced her decision via social media.
Gods got me † pic.twitter.com/u0MmkVRcoe
— Megan Kleist (@MeganKleist) December 14, 2018
Kleist arrival to Lafayette makes the Ragin Cajins once again a top twenty five team going into 2019. Among the reactions to Kleist coming to Louisiana includes former Louisiana Head Coach Mike Lotief who tweeted to In The Circle following the announcement.
That’s awesome!ESP the timing-the same week ULL fball is playing in CURE Bowl & the President & his cronies are down in Orlando partying,SBALL shows them what REAL EXCELLENCE IS. I hope SBALL continues to set THE STANDARD that the rest of that University has to continue to CHASE https://t.co/leOLj7x5uQ
— Michael Lotief (@CoachMikeLotief) December 14, 2018
It has been a busy off-season for Gerry Glasco who replaced Lotief late last fall. Kleist is the 6th player from a D1 program to transfer to Louisiana this off-season joining Sarah Hudek and Keeli Milligan who come over from Texas A&M. Other transfers include Julie Rawls from Northwestern State, Kendall Talley from Lamar, and Bailey Curry from Toledo.
The Ragin Cajuns pitching staff will now have a 1-2 punch with Kleist and Summer Ellyson who won 23 games with 1.53 ERA and 220 strikeouts in 238 innings pitched last season. Ellyson led Lousiana to a NCAA Tournament regional final appearance in Baton Rouge.
