[CajunSID]

I have no idea how to recruit major caliber D1 HS or transfer players these days. I imagine connections, reputation (both HC and assts), organization, diligence and (nowadays) a checkbook helps.

And a coach’s ability to evaluate talent, fit and character.

[JMV Just My View]

I thought the 5 for 5 kicks off with the 2027 HS class and is not retroactive?

Either way, someone will sue, and the courts will continue to be the true governing body.

Do you care to answer post 423?

[CajunSID]

An additional thought has occurred to me. With the change in NCAA regs allowing 5 for 5, it is possible that Bethany Noble returns for next season. If she does return, it gives us another experienced pitcher who would definitely help.

I thought the 5 for 5 kicks off with the 2027 HS class and is not retroactive?

Either way, someone will sue and the courts will continue to be the true governing body.

[JMV Just My View]

My comments in my previous post are not intended as a slight to the players we did sign from the portal; both are good prospects to contribute here, but neither is proven in any way to be the kind of players we need at this point. Had we signed one of the SLU girls [or similar] and a proven position player [preferably a catcher or corner infielder], this portal class would be very solid. Without the proven players, our portal class is an unknown and unknowable quantity; at least until it is too late to rectify any shortcomings.

The staff knew in fall ball that Delbrey and Noble were done. They also knew that Mackles was a project pitcher. They let Tipton go (which is looking like a bad choice right about now). Offseason pitching should have been a priority. They haven't done much to address those issues. Hopefully Emily Adams is good as a true freshman. Last time they banked on something good to happen with the pitching staff, it just didn't. All eyes will be on Kyle Brady this season. He has a tough assignment.

[JMV Just My View]

An additional thought has occurred to me. With the change in NCAA regs allowing 5 for 5, it is possible that Bethany Noble returns for next season. If she does return, it gives us another experienced pitcher who would definitely help.

Not possible.

[Vobserver]

An additional thought has occurred to me. With the change in NCAA regs allowing 5 for 5, it is possible that Bethany Noble returns for next season. If she does return, it gives us another experienced pitcher who would definitely help.

[Vobserver]

My comments in my previous post are not intended as a slight to the players we did sign from the portal; both are good prospects to contribute here, but neither is proven in any way to be the kind of players we need at this point. Had we signed one of the SLU girls [or similar] and a proven position player [preferably a catcher or corner infielder] this portal class would be very solid. Without the proven players, our portal class is an unknown and unknowable quantity; at least until it is too late to rectify any shortcomings.

[Vobserver]

We cannot have a winning record with this pitching staff on paper. Plain and simple. So disappointing that we struck out on every good pitcher that we contacted in the portal.

There is no real evidence that they even talked to pitchers that we had a realistic chance of signing. We obviously would not be able to sign a proven quality pitcher from a P4 team; and it appears that either we did not approach quality pitchers from lower rated conferences [like the two from SLU that signed with Baylor] or were late to the party and missed out.

Alternatively, we did approach some of those pitchers and were rebuffed because of lack of funds. Given the state of our pitching staff, there is no reason that we should have been unaware of the costs associated with signing a quality pitcher, nor is there any reason that we made no public attempt [like the $150K challenge that baseball did] to raise more funds for that purpose.

Like it or not, failure to prepare for the costs of recruiting quality players is 100% on the coaching staff, and most particularly on the head coach.

[JMV Just My View]

Because of conversations that I have had.

I asked if you have a list or names of players that actually came on campus?

[Suave]

Because of conversations that I have had.

[JMV Just My View]

Mackles, Favors, and incoming freshman together have 28 innings of experience. How do you know they struck out on every pitcher in the portal. Do you have a list of who made campus visits?

[Suave]

We cannot have a winning record with this pitching staff on paper. Plain and simple. So disappointing that we struck out on every good pitcher that we contacted in the portal.

[JMV Just My View]

Obviously not. One of her former players seems to be light years ahead of her right now (Molly Fichtner). Maybe she should call Molly and ask her for a little advice on how to build a winning program in the Sunbelt Conference.

I already commented on this post, but I will comment again. If Aly doesn't have a system or know how to run a program as a head coach then why hinder a program by taking on the role of head coach? That is doing this program an injustice. I stated in the first post of this thread that 2027 is a make or break season. Three consecutive seasons of no post season and this program is all but forgotten and DONE. This ship will sink like the LA Tech WBB program did. It's post season or bust!

[JMV Just My View]

63 Catchers left in the portal, and 109 Pitchers left in the portal. Out of those, maybe 2, in my opinion, could help us. One of those might be signing with St. John's today.

The pitcher signed with St John's. Not really any proven pitchers left in the portal.

[JMV Just My View]

Knox, Smith, Otto and Kennedy will have to have career years for us to have a winning record. One injury to any one of them and or one pitcher, we are doomed.

They needed everyone to have career years last seasons and you seen how that worked out.