2026 Softball Offseason

[Houston Cajun]

They may have other plans, I don’t know, but take the freakin call….or at least answer the girl

Does softball have only 1 player (transfer) signed?

[JMV Just My View]

Does softball have only 1 player (transfer) signed?

Two portal players signed.

[JMV Just My View]

Everyone including myself is worried about the lack of depth and quality depth in the circle, and behind the dish. Another area of worry for me is the lack of reinforcement off the bench speed, and power wise. Power is a little harder to come by, but there is no reason a couple speed kids weren't brought in. They have a dime a dozen of those kids available.

[JMV Just My View]

Both Spinogatti and Hodge were highly regarded recruits coming out of High School. Spinogatti redshirted last year due to an ACL, and is currently in rehab, though she should be back to 100% by fall ball. Hodge was a 3 time all-state pitcher in North Carolina, but had disappointing stats as a freshman at ASU last year. 25 IP, 31 Hits allowed, 17 free passes [12 BB, 5 HB], ERA of 5.88 WHIP of 1.72 and Batting Average allowed of .304.

Spinogatti could be an outstanding get, assuming she is fully recovered; Hodge is a project, but does bring a lefty alternative to our pitching staff. Both are long and athletic and both have 4 years remaining.

Habetz has gambled big time in the portal this year. Assuming we get these two, all four of our portal girls are essentially HS recruits. This strategy is a total crap shoot. All 10 incoming players could be all conference level players and all 10 could be total busts. On paper, it looks like a strong class; in reality we needed at least one proven pitcher and an experienced and talented catcher, as we have no pitching depth and no player on the roster whose best position is catcher.

This is the issue. Alyson has stated many times that she wants kids who play for the name on the front of the jersey, not for the name on the back of the jersey. But for recruiting they recruit only the front of the jersey out of the portal, instead of doing actual research for the name on the back of the jersey, taking third string players from P4 who haven't played an inning of college ball or players coming off major injury over kids with proven stats. I would rather kids with proven stats over potential kids, due to the lack of development skills from this staff.

[sportsfanatic21]

This is the issue. Alyson has stated many times that she wants kids who play for the name on the front of the jersey, not for the name on the back of the jersey. But for recruiting they recruit only the front of the jersey out of the portal, instead of doing actual research for the name on the back of the jersey, taking third string players from P4 who haven't played an inning of college ball or players coming off major injury over kids with proven stats. I would rather kids with proven stats over potential kids, due to the lack of development skills from this staff.

There are tons of very talented kids on P4 teams that don’t play much or have ugly stats as a freshman. And a bunch of stars on P4 teams that stuck around after not playing much or having ugly stats as a freshman. Their talent got them there in the first place.

I get that people want to bring in someone who hit .350 last year somewhere, but I’d rather a kid with a ton of talent who hasn’t put it together yet than another kid that hit .350 against weaker competition.

But that’s just one opinion. The P4 bench player may never put it all together. At the same time, the .350 hitter against weaker competition may not translate at a tougher place.

Give me the more talented player 100 out of 100 times. Your comment about this staff being unable to develop kids is a bit unfair. I’m sure you’ll ask “who has gotten better since they’ve been coaches here?”. And I don’t know because I don’t follow softball all that closely, but all of these coaches have been successful in their careers before being hired here. Sometimes players just need figure things out through experience. Talented players usually do.

[JMV Just My View]

There are tons of very talented kids on P4 teams that don’t play much or have ugly stats as a freshman. And a bunch of stars on P4 teams that stuck around after not playing much or having ugly stats as a freshman. Their talent got them there in the first place.

I get that people want to bring in someone who hit .350 last year somewhere, but I’d rather a kid with a ton of talent who hasn’t put it together yet than another kid that hit .350 against weaker competition.

But that’s just one opinion. The P4 bench player may never put it all together. At the same time, the .350 hitter against weaker competition may not translate at a tougher place.

Give me the more talented player 100 out of 100 times. Your comment about this staff being unable to develop kids is a bit unfair. I’m sure you’ll ask “who has gotten better since they’ve been coaches here?”. And I don’t know because I don’t follow softball all that closely, but all of these coaches have been successful in their careers before being hired here. Sometimes players just need figure things out through experience. Talented players usually do.

Brady has never been successful anywhere and has had four jobs in the last five seasons (None of those jobs were advancement type job). It's fair to say the Cajuns haven't landed players due to his lack of success and experience. Shipman has only been coaching D1 for four years. What success has he had at UL or Western Michigan? Lacy flopped in her one gig at Northwestern. Name one school that would hire her as a head coach right now? Alyson has played barely 500 ball at UL. It's fair to say none of the coaches have been successful in their current role or previous role , with the exception being Alyson, no body will be beating down their doors to offer them jobs. That's facts man. You might want to stick to baseball, a sport you know. Not sure why you get a hard on every time I post. For some reason you attack my post all the time.

[Roarman]

Brady has never been successful and has had four jobs in the last five seasons (None of those jobs were advancement type job). It's fair to say the Cajuns haven't landed players due to his lack of success and experience. Shipman has only been coaching D1 for four years. What success has he had at UL or Western Michigan? Lacy flopped in her one gig at Northwestern. Name one school that would hire her as a head coach right now? Alyson has played barely 500 ball at UL. It's fair to say none of the coaches have been successful in their current role and no body will be beating down their doors to offer them jobs. That's facts man. You might want to stick to baseball, a sport you know.

As I've posted on here before, next year the failure or success of the team will, mostly, depend on pitching.

Is Kyle a good pitching coach? Statistics show the 2026 team era was the second highest in the history of the program. 2025 was the highest.

The issue with pitching going into 2027 is, there is no ace. So, Kyle is faced with having to coach up, currently four pitchers, and maybe five.

With practices limited to 20 hours a week, for any pitching coach, that is a huge challenge.

If the Cajun's era in 2027 is above 3.5 like it was the last two years, the Cajuns, more than likely, will not win the conference, the conference tournament, or, enough games against good teams to be awarded an at large bid.

[JMV Just My View]

As I've posted on here before, next year the failure or success of the team will, mostly, depend on pitching.

Is Kyle a good pitching coach? Statistics show the 2026 team era was the second highest in the history of the program. 2025 was the highest.

The issue with pitching going into 2027 is, there is no ace. So, Kyle is faced with having to coach up, currently four pitchers, and maybe five.

With practices limited to 20 hours a week, for any pitching coach, that is a huge challenge.

If the Cajun's era in 2027 is above 3.5 like it was the last two years, the Cajuns, more than likely, will not win the conference, the conference tournament, or, enough games against good teams to be awarded an at large bid.

Sportsfanatic21 said that Brady had success before coming to UL, and that simply isn't true. All eyes will be on him in 2027.

[Suave]

Sportsfanatic21 said that Brady had success before coming to UL, and that simply isn't true. All eyes will be on him in 2027.

We talk a lot about development in UL softball . But we very seldom talk about recruiters . Glasco did some stupid stuff on the field but he dominated recruiting. I would rather Aly find 3 good recruiters rather than developers. Kids don’t stay long enough to get developed.

[Turbine]

We talk a lot about development in UL softball . But we very seldom talk about recruiters . Glasco did some stupid stuff on the field but he dominated recruiting. I would rather Aly find 3 good recruiters rather than developers. Kids don’t stay long enough to get developed.

That is the game outside the game and you are spot on about Glasco

[JMV Just My View]

We talk a lot about development in UL softball. But we very seldom talk about recruiters. Glasco did some stupid stuff on the field, but he dominated recruiting. I would rather Aly find 3 good recruiters rather than developers. Kids don’t stay long enough to get developed.

The current staff sucks with development and recruiting.

[cajunref]

You can add in game adjustments and offensive strategy. We have all discussed softball situation ad nausem. It won't change a thing until this staff is shown the door or else the program will only be a memory of days gone by. Another coaching hire failure by Maggard. He needs to be shown the door also

[JMV Just My View]

You can add in-game adjustments and offensive strategy. We have all discussed the softball situation ad nausem. It won't change a thing until this staff is shown the door, or else the program will only be a memory of days gone by. Another coaching hire failure by Maggard. He needs to be shown the door also

I would be in favor of three out of the four being shown the door, along with the athletic director.

[sportsfanatic21]

Brady has never been successful anywhere and has had four jobs in the last five seasons (None of those jobs were advancement type job). It's fair to say the Cajuns haven't landed players due to his lack of success and experience. Shipman has only been coaching D1 for four years. What success has he had at UL or Western Michigan? Lacy flopped in her one gig at Northwestern. Name one school that would hire her as a head coach right now? Alyson has played barely 500 ball at UL. It's fair to say none of the coaches have been successful in their current role or previous role , with the exception being Alyson, no body will be beating down their doors to offer them jobs. That's facts man. You might want to stick to baseball, a sport you know. Not sure why you get a hard on every time I post. For some reason you attack my post all the time.

Few things here.

1. “Stick to baseball”? I’m free to post on any thread that I choose to. All my post was about is that some of these kids that weren’t successful at previous P4 schools may be better than some of yall seem to think. But that doesn’t fit the glaring narrative here of doom and gloom, the coaches all suck, and if I don’t get my way I’m gonna stop supporting the program…which is 100% your choice, but seriously, nobody is gonna care one bit if you stop attending games.
2. If I got a “hard on every time you post” I’d have to see a doctor. You relentlessly post the same whiny stuff about softball what seems like every single day
3. If you feel that someone disagreeing with you, simply by giving an opinion that I’d prefer unproven, talented kids over kids that have had success at lower levels, is an attack on you or you post…maybe you should see a doctor

[JMV Just My View]

Few things here.

1. “Stick to baseball”? I’m free to post on any thread that I choose to. All my post was about is that some of these kids that weren’t successful at previous P4 schools may be better than some of yall seem to think. But that doesn’t fit the glaring narrative here of doom and gloom, the coaches all suck, and if I don’t get my way I’m gonna stop supporting the program…which is 100% your choice, but seriously, nobody is gonna care one bit if you stop attending games.
2. If I got a “hard on every time you post” I’d have to see a doctor. You relentlessly post the same whiny stuff about softball what seems like every single day
3. If you feel that someone disagreeing with you, simply by giving an opinion that I’d prefer unproven, talented kids over kids that have had success at lower levels, is an attack on you or you post…maybe you should see a doctor

1. I said stick to baseball because thats your lane and you know little to nothing about the UL softball program. P4 transfers that have came in under Alyson may be better than what we think? You can't be serious with that statement. I can only name one good, not great P4 transfer under Alyson, the rest have failed, due too missing on the kid or straight up lack of development. Nobody will not care if I stop going to games? Sure they will not, but what will happen when me and plenty others stop going and stop contributing to the program? I promise you UL needs every dollar.
2. I post facts about the program, call it want you want, but you don't have to like or agree with it, but you sure seem to view what I post.
3. YOU stated that all of the coaches had previous success before coming to UL. That is simply not true, and you know it. THAT IS WHAT I'M DISAGREEING WITH YOU ON. Please define each of their success before coming to UL so this whole board can view it. We will wait for your answers, I'm sure you will ignore this post because you will not be able to list anything. Just because you played baseball at UL doesn’t mean anyone will sugar coat the current state of UL and the UL softball program. P4 transfers under Alyson:
Clary
Hoover
Tipton
Manning
Marceaux

Only Marceaux has been good and she was coming home regardless. That means 80% miss rate on P4 transfers, they had what you said talent, that's why they are there. Your words, not mine. So I guess you would agree if they had talent coming in then the issue must be development? Bottom line is they have recruited kids who did mostly nothing at P4 schools and they haven't performed here. One would think that you develop a new recruiting strategy? Sorry an 80% miss rate versus 20% hit rate will not cut it. Maybe they need to get the proven kids?
Clary
Hoover
Tipton
Manning
Marceaux
White
Otto
Ardion
Ferguson
That's the portal pickups in the Habetz era. Only 2 of 9 panned out. 22.2% hit rate. Something needs to change. Only two of those players had real proven stats before arriving at UL. Zero G5 or lower kids with proven, good stats have been brought into the program. I didn't mention Noble-King or Liscano because those kids followed Lacy to UL. Even if you included them their first season wasn't good at all. Second season both improved.