Colonels take 2; earn key series win
May 10, 2017
Blades to walk-on at Nicholls
May 10, 2017
One of the best college softball players in the country is a Houma gal.
It’s not too big of a surprise to those who know her best.
She’s been hitting the softball hard and dominating opponents literally her entire career.
Houma Christian School graduate Lindsay Crowdus is putting the finishing touches on a magical career at the University of Memphis – a four-year run that’s seen her start close to 200 games – dating back to her true freshman season.
At press-time on Monday, Crowdus’ senior season has been nothing short of beastly. She’s batting .470 (79-of-168) with 13 extra base hits, a team-best 28 RBI and an absurdly good .500 on-base percentage.
She’s regarded as one of the best players in the American Athletic Conference and one of the top outfielders in the country – a player who is sure to generate All Conference and All-American consideration once the year comes to a close.
Crowdus said she’s overwhelmed with the recognition she’s earned throughout the season.
The Houma native has been named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week several times this season and she was recently named a finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award, which is given to the top player in the country.
“I’m not exactly sure how I’m able to do it,” Crowdus said earlier this week when asked to detail her senior season. “The only explanation I have is that it’s from the talent God has blessed me with.”
For Crowdus, softball excellence is nothing new.
It’s in the blood.
Linday’s mother, Christi Crowdus was one heck of a player, too. She made it to college and competed for Nicholls in her career. She later became a coach.
So for Lindsay, the bat was placed into her hands at an early age, and she’s always been a standout performer – dating back to her club days with the Southern Pride from 2007-10 and then with the Louisiana Voodoo from 2011-12.
At Houma Christian, it continued.
She was a terror to opponents – one of the top players in Louisiana throughout her storied career.
As a senior, Crowdus hit .554 with 10 home runs, eight triples and 45 stolen bases – helping the Christian Warriors establish themselves as one of the top clubs in the state.
For Crowdus’ prep career, she finished with 293 career hits, 20 home runs and 192 stolen bases.
She also earned a place on the All-State team four-straight seasons and was the team’s Offensive MVP every season from her freshman to her senior year.
That success led Crowdus to Memphis, where she’s contributed to the upstart, rebuilding program from day one.
Crowdus started as a true freshman in 2014, batting .349 with 59 base hits in 52 games.
She added to that success and hit above. 300 in her sophomore and junior seasons – often while opposing pitchers pitched around her because of her reputation as a quality hitter.
“She is a tough out every time she steps up to the plate,” Memphis coach Natalie Poole said. “She constantly gives our opponents a tough time trying to get her out. Add speed to the impressive batting average and on-base percentage and she is a force to be reckoned with.”
But Crowdus has taken things to a whole new level in her senior season.
This year, Crowdus is virtually impossible to consistently get out – a consistent force at the top of the Lady Tigers’ batting order.
She’s recorded hits in 41 of Memphis’ first 51 games. In 22 of those 41 games, she had multi-hit games, including 12 games with three or more base hits. Crowdus’ success also coincides with on-field success for the Lady Tigers – something the Houma native said is like the icing on the cake of a great career.
Memphis has never had a winning season in Crowdus’ career, but they have a chance to do so in 2017.
The team owns a 28-26 record at press-time.
Those 28 wins are two more than the team’s win total from a year ago.
Crowdus said the individual accolades are amazing, but she’s most proud of the way the entire Lady Tigers team has come together this season.
“We all have a goal to win the conference,” Crowdus said. “But also, we just want to play one game at a time and overall just have fun while we’re out there on the field. This season is going decent so far. It can always be better, of course, but this is the best team we have had since I’ve been here, so that’s something we’re proud of.”
That selfless mentality is something Poole said is always present in the Lady Tigers’ locker room.
“She just wants to help her team be successful,” Poole said. “That’s even more impressive (than the stats).”
So with lofty stats, an eye to the postseason and a slew of additional trophies to come her way, Crowdus said she’s looking to the future – one she hopes is filled with more base hits and RBI.
Crowdus said she knows professional opportunities are limited, but added that she will be open to chasing them if they are realistic goals.
If that doesn’t work out, she has hopes of giving back to the game in another way.
“I want to become a graduate assistant somewhere and helping coach while getting my Master’s,” Crowdus said. “That, or possibly working toward becoming a child life specialist while also doing some type of coaching with softball.”
Follow Casey on Twitter for more.
https://twitter.com/casey_gisclair
