2026 Softball Offseason

[JMV Just My View]

I said last season that the 2025 offseason would be the most critical offseason in the history of the program. The team responded with the worst record ever at 29-27, and the worst era ever at 3.69 era. This year is even more critical as the program has now missed the NCAA regional tournament two seasons in a row. Will the Cajuns softball program be like the La Tech women’s basketball program and be an afterthought? This season was an absolute failure in coaching, hitting, batting, fielding, and base running. No longer will the history of the program, the traditions, fan support, and facilities be enough to get good players if the program fails to make the NCAA regionals. EVERYTHING about this program needs to be evaluated. NIL and the portal have changed the game, and somehow, ULM has adapted. Word is the Cajuns have the most NIL softball money in the conference. If that is true, the expectations and standards clearly are not being met.

Seven offseason key points:
1. What will the coaching staff look like next season? (I think the Cajuns will have 2 new assistant coaches next season.) Alyson will not be fired; a rumor has it that she is locked down until 2029 with a $400k by out. The Cajuns either need to get better coaches or let the coaches they have coach.

2. What players transfer in? Will the Cajuns be aggressive in the portal? The Cajuns need help in many different areas. If more NIL money is needed, Alyson needs to ask and hustle for it. It is now part of a head coach's job.

3. Who transfers out? I am hearing that up to ten players are thinking about it. Hopefully, they changed their mind. If ten players leave, this program could be done. Some of the players also need to be told to clean out their lockers.

4. Will Alyson cut bait with any member of the staff or team that isn’t contributing? The team can’t afford to have anyone not contributing to the team. Can she make the hard decisions and stop playing Mr. nice guy?

5. What will the schedule look like? It is a must the Cajuns keep playing good teams. It will be harder to get good teams to come to Lamson Park if the Cajuns keep losing. Hopefully, Alyson's connection will keep the schedule strong both at home and away.

6. Who from the incoming freshman class will step up? Last season, I stated Lilly Knox and Haley Hart would be big-time players for the Cajuns. Hart was a stud, .364 average, 32 runs, 56 hits, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 9 homeruns, 40 rbi, 6 steals, .610 slugging percentage, 1.049 slugging plus on base percentage. She made me look like a genius. Knox also had her moments, but must cut down on the strikeouts. She whiffed 34 times in 87 at-bats, yet somehow still had a .424 on-base percentage because of 29 walks. I don’t think she was 100% this season, and if she returns next season, I think she can evidently be a Brook Ellestad-type player. Look for Ali Rios and Zoe Harrington to be huge players next season as incoming freshmen. I hope Harrington can win the starting job as catcher.

7. The off-season focus needs to begin with better overall coaching, raising more money, finding diamond in the rough type kids, improving the defense, improving hitting with runners in scoring position, reducing walks, and hit batters. The fan base is getting older, and many have already checked out. Most of those folks will renew their season tickets in the grandstands, but many will stop going to games. 2027, I think, will be a make-or-break season for the long-term future of this program.

[Suave]

I was told that Harrington will be the starting catcher on opening day. . That will move Kennedy to 3rd where she belongs. Need to figure out 1st base and the infield is set. Now need to hold on to the best 5 players. I’m just not set on anyone else in the recruiting class but I have not seen any of them play. Hopefully they all contribute. Need 3 elite pitchers to finish off next years team. Better players equals better coaching. Not the other way around.

[JMV Just My View]

Harrington's defense is better than what the Cajuns have now, and the staff is hoping she can win the job at catcher. She will not be handed the job. Can she hit D1 pitching will determine if or how much she plays. If Marceaux goes to 3B, then Otto will probably go to 1B. I personally think Marceaux will be at shortstop next season if Harrington wins the catcher's job. No team in the country has three elite pitchers on staff. Are you saying better coaching can't make players better? WOW! Why did Sam Landry turn into an All-American once she left UL for OU?

[hP]

Who needs coaching?

You had me till the last line.

[CajunChuck]

All very good and valid points. If Harrington does become the starting catcher next season where does Kennedy Marceaux play? Somewhere in the outfield?

[JMV Just My View]

I would bet shortstop.

[Headcase33]

How the hell does ULM become the big dog and UL become a bottom dweller. Never in my 46 years thought I would see this.

[31Ragin97]

Wow, same # of years as the program

[JMV Just My View]

ULM went 4-0 against the Cajuns this season. I think the previous 17 years they only won two games against the Cajuns. That is my point, no more excuses from this staff or school should be accepted.

[Headcase33]

I 100% agree

[Turbine]

It takes just one great pitcher to ride all the way down victory lane.

It will be interesting to see if the ULM coach has come up with a system and can develop players or if this is an anomoly.

[Roarman]

There was no pitcher in the SBC close to being elite this year. There was no Sam Landry. There was no Jessica Mullins. There was no Olivia Lackey. The problem with the Cajuns this year is they were relying on pitchers who could not throw over 62 mph.

[BayouRichard]

Rough year. We can only move up from here, hopefully.? I was hoping Smith would’ve had a better year. Hopefully, she picks herself up and becomes the player/hitter I know she can be. Geaux Cajuns!

[2022cajun]

Rough year. We can only move up from here, hopefully.? I was hoping Smith would’ve had a better year. Hopefully, she picks herself up and becomes the player/hitter I know she can be. Geaux Cajuns!

Sophomore slump hurts. I feel for her. Hopefully she has a better year next season.

[Vobserver]

While I agree that pitching is an issue, I am more concerned about us giving up an average of nearly one unearned run per game [53 unearned runs/56 games]. I am also concerned about timely hitting. We left entirely too many runners on base this year.
We must improve in both those areas.

As for as Marceaux changing positions, either Zoie Harrington or Natalie Johnson has to prove they can hit D1 pitching or Marceaux will still be catching next season. If one of them does replace her at catcher, Marceaux will likely move to 3rd base, and Otto will move to first. Liscano will still be the SS next year and Hart will still be at 2nd. Outfield should be Norwood, Williams and Knox.

Coaching remains a major issue. You can't make orange juice from apples, and you can't win playing small ball without both great pitching and great bunt execution. Yet, our coach has persisted in playing for one run, even when we have been down by 3 or 4. She needs to alter her approach, and coach to her team's strengths rather than trying to succeed playing to their weaknesses.

[JMV Just My View]

While I agree that pitching is an issue, I am more concerned about us giving up an average of nearly one unearned run per game [53 unearned runs/56 games]. I am also concerned about timely hitting. We left entirely too many runners on base this year.
We must improve in both those areas.

As for as Marceaux changing positions, either Zoie Harrington or Natalie Johnson has to prove they can hit D1 pitching or Marceaux will still be catching next season. If one of them does replace her at catcher, Marceaux will likely move to 3rd base, and Otto will move to first. Liscano will still be the SS next year and Hart will still be at 2nd. Outfield should be Norwood, Williams and Knox.

Coaching remains a major issue. You can't make orange juice from apples, and you can't win playing small ball without both great pitching and great bunt execution. Yet, our coach has persisted in playing for one run, even when we have been down by 3 or 4. She needs to alter her approach, and coach to her team's strengths rather than trying to succeed playing to their weaknesses.

Look for Liscano to go back to 2B and Hart back to LF if Marceaux doesn't catch. Hart came in as a SS/2B and never played outfield until this season. She made the transformation just like Kayla Falterman, Maddie Hayden, and Haley Hayden. All of those girls, before coming to UL never played the outfield. Hart has the ability to be a Gold Glove-type outfielder. That would probably push Norwood to DP/Utility.

[Vobserver]

So you expect Marceaux to play SS? I don't. As it now stands, if we get a good hitting catcher, the person[s] who leave their current positions are Marceaux to 3rd, Otto to first and Smith/Manning to the bench. We do have a number of players who can play multiple positions well, so really there are a lot of combinations that might work well defensively, so my opinion is just speculation.

[SlickRick]

I'm most curious about transfers, in and out. IMO, this will be the most significant factor in how we look next season.

[JMV Just My View]

So you expect Marceaux to play SS? I don't. As it now stands, if we get a good hitting catcher, the person[s] who leave their current positions are Marceaux to 3rd, Otto to first and Smith/Manning to the bench. We do have a number of players who can play multiple positions well, so really there are a lot of combinations that might work well defensively, so my opinion is just speculation.

I expect Kennedy to play SS if someone else is the catcher. I have seen her play many games at SS, and she would be the best we have.

[JMV Just My View]

I'm most curious about transfers, in and out. IMO, this will be the most significant factor in how we look next season.

The coaching staff will also be a big factor.

[JMV Just My View]

After reviewing the roster, 17 players and 5 members of the coaching staff are eligible to return. If I was in charge I would only welcome back 13 players and 2 coaching staff members.