Bear down. The Arizona Wildcats add another Ragin’ Cajun to their 2018 roster: senior All-American outfielder Aleah Craighton. Pitcher Alyssa Denham announced her departure from Louisiana Lafayette just three days ago.

Last season, Craighton posted a .345 batting average, 18 home runs, 53 runs batted in, and a .779 slugging percentage. Craighton's departure marks the third Louisiana transfer to the Pac-12.

2017 Accolades

- Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's List

- NFCA First Team All-America

- NFCA First Team All-Central Region 

- Sun Belt Conference Female Student-Athlete of the Year 

- Sun Belt Conference Tournament All-Tournament Team 

- All-Sun Belt First Team 

- All-Louisiana First Team

- USA Softball Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List

- Preseason Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year

2016 Accolades

- Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll 

- NFCA Second Team All-America 

- NFCA First Team All-Central Region 

- Sun Belt Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player 

- All-Sun Belt First Team 

- All-Louisiana First Team

The Wildcats certainly beef up their lineup with the addition of Craighton and add depth and tremendous athleticism in the outfield.

After the firing of long-time Louisiana Lafayette head coach Michael Lotief, Craighton wrote an emotional thank you to her former coach.

I will never understand why people think the way they do but one thing I know for sure is that God is always in control. I can say that God’s love for me has been nothing but constant and I was blessed to be welcomed into a program led by the Lotief’s with opened arms. 

What I do know is that Coach Mike has been such a wonderful man to me, a father away from home. I would trust him with my life on any given day. He has shaped me into the person and player I am and who I want to be. He has helped me transform my mind, one which reminds me how to stand up in the face of adversity and to be strong for what I believe in. He has been there for me at my worst, the days when I thought I sucked because I went 0-4 in a game, but has never been far from first to congratulate me at my best. He showed me how to find the little speck of light in the dark tunnel, how to quickly turn a negative into a positive, and a loss into a gain. 

At the end of the day, it was more than just a game, he coached me in how to live this life. I am completely heartbroken and saddened, especially being a leader on this current team and seeing the hearts that have been broken around me. But as quickly and unexpectedly as one door closes there is another one that opens. A simple “thank you” is not enough and will never be enough to explain my gratitude for him. Bottom line–I stand with Coach Mike and I am so thankful that God put such a wonderful man in the most critical stage of my life that made me into the strong and courageous woman I needed to be. The memories throughout my last 4.5 years with him is something that cannot and will not be taken away from me.

Aleah Craighton