MOBILE, Ala. — Aleah Craighton’s Louisiana-Lafayette teammates couldn’t wait another couple of hours, because the moment was too perfect.
The Ragin’ Cajuns hoisted Craighton, who turns 21 on Sunday — the day after she played a large role in clinching a Sun Belt tournament championship — up onto their shoulders and serenaded her with a boisterous rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
“I kind of knew they were going to do that,” Craighton said. “I didn’t know they were going to pick me up, though.”
Really, it was Craighton who picked up her teammates Saturday. She had what amounted to a pair of decisive hits in the Cajuns’ 12-0, five-inning win against Texas State.