RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
It’s pretty big news when a returning 1st Team All-American player voluntarily decides to sit out a season, but that’s what happened this week when new Louisiana-Lafayette transfer Megan Kleist announced on social media she will not play this spring for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
In case you missed it–and many did as it was surprisingly under-reported nationally–here’s the background on the story.
Kleist announced a month ago, on December 14, 2018, that she was transferring to Louisiana-Lafayette–see the full release issued by ULL softball below–after three successful years pitching for the Oregon Ducks which twice included being named an All-American.
However, on Wednesday Kleist announced on her Twitter page that she would sit out this college season to finish her bachelor’s degree and would then transfer to Louisiana-Lafayette to work on a master’s degree and compete for Gerry Glasco’s program in 2020:
— Megan Kleist (@MeganKleist) January 8, 2019
In the text of the letter, the Wisconsin native who played for Tony Rico’s Firecracker travel ball team prior to college, discussed the details.
Twitter text:
“Over the last few weeks, with the support of Coach Glasco, I have carefully considered the future of my athletic and academic careers. Together we believe it is in my best interest to finish my undergraduate degree here at the University of Oregon.
Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I will join the UL softball program for the 2020 season. As I transition from Oregon to Louisiana, I will also be able to begin the path to completing a masters degree at UL.
This plan of action allows me to finish my education in an uninterrupted fashion and not lose sight of my academics – something everyone always mentions during recruitment.
I am thankful for the opportunity to work with UL’s quality staff, and I can easily see that they value the best interests of their players, looking beyond life as only a softball player, and supporting all of my goals. To me, that’s all a girl could ever ask for.
Thank you to the University of Louisiana for your cooperation in such a short period of time. I will be forever grateful for the ability to live out my dreams, on the field and in the classroom. See y’all in 2020.
Much love,
Kleisty”
Below is the article detailing Kleist’s transfer to ULL…
*****
Breaking News: All-American Pitcher Megan Kleist Transferring to Louisiana-Lafayette
(originally published on December 14, 2018 on Extra Inning Softball)
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball head coach Gerry Glasco announced on Friday via the ULL website the addition of transfer pitcher Megan Kleist.
The Ragin’ Cajun Sports Information Department released the following information:
A 2018 NFCA First Team All-American and the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year, Kleist comes to Louisiana after spending the first three seasons of her career at Oregon.
“For a coach, team and program to have a great player, and more importantly a selfless player, like Megan Kleist choose to join your program is a tremendous honor,” Glasco stated. “It speaks volumes about coach Mike Roberts that she relishes the opportunity to play for him in her final season.
“She is clearly one of the most talented pitchers in the country, but what makes her truly special is her personality and attitude.” Glasco added. “She is as selfless as any pitcher I have followed.”
During her three-year stay in Oregon, Kleist won at least 15 games each year on the way to accumulating a 59-18 mark, posted a 1.60 ERA over 477 innings pitched and limited foes to a .207 average.
She also 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 delivered a second consecutive 20-win campaign during the 2018 season, crafting a 21-7 record with a 1.32 ERA and 221 strikeouts against just 21 walks in 179-2/3 innings pitched. She tossed a no-hitter against eventual national champion Florida State, pitched a one-hitter against then-No. 2 Oklahoma and sported a 12-2 mark with a 1.19 ERA against the rigorous Pac-12 schedule.
In the final NCAA rankings, Kleist ranked inside the Top 25 for: earned run average, fewest hits allowed, shutouts, strikeout-to-walk ratio, total strikeouts, strikeouts per seven innings, victories and fewest walks allowed.
As a sophomore, Kleist recorded a 21-5 mark, allowed three earned runs or less in each of her 29 starts and led the Pac-12 with nine shutouts. In her collegiate debut season (2016), she appeared in 29 games with 22 starts, pitched six complete games, earned two saves and ranked third in the NCAA for fewest walks allowed (12 in 127-2/3 innings).
Rated the No. 40 recruit in the nation out of Kimberly High School in Appleton, Wisc., Kleist pitched for current Ragin’ Cajuns pitching coach Mike Roberts in select softball with Phoenix Jr. in Green Bay.
“We are thrilled to not only have a pitcher with such great talent choose to join us,” Glasco remarked. “But we’re even more thrilled to have an individual with high character and someone who possesses the characteristics of a great teammate.”
The 2019 season marks the second season for Louisiana under the guidance of Gerry Glasco. In 2018, Louisiana reached 40 wins for the 20th straight season and was ranked in both major national Top 25 polls the entire season, finishing No. 18/19 in the final edition of the rankings.
*****
Kleist confirmed the news via social media when she posted on her Twitter page the following (see full text below):
Gods got me † pic.twitter.com/u0MmkVRcoe
— Megan Kleist (@MeganKleist) December 14, 2018
Twitter text:
“It is with great pleasure that I would like to announce my recent commitment to the University of Louisiana Lafayette to further my education and conclude my softball career.
When looking at the memories made over the course of the last three years, the people I’ve met, and the opportunities I’ve had the chance to experience with my girls, I am forever grateful.
I’ve been unable to come to peace with what has happened over the course of the last few weeks, however, I’ve been reminded that the recent circumstances I’ve been put under have been nothing short of a blessing in disguise.
Most of you don’t know the story, but for those that do, will know how near and dear to my heart it has remained throughout the last 6 years apart. It has been my lifelong dream to once again play for the man who originally led me to love, respect and play this game.
Now, I’ve been given the opportunity to allow that dream to come full circle, and it was an opportunity I was unable to overlook. Moral of the story, sometimes things don’t always go as planned, but it is no coincidence that this was written in the plans for me from the man above.
Thank you to those who have impacted my life to allow me to get to this point. I would not change a thing, because it has led me to be the person I am today with the opportunity of a lifetime, and for that, I am forever grateful.
I’m signing on to fulfill a life surrounded by coaches, players, and a community with a lot of Love to give, and I’m coming in with open arms. Sometimes you find what you’re looking for in the places you least expect it.
This is truly a special team, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store.
Cajun country, I’m comin.”