2026 Softball Offseason

[Ragin79]

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 never has been a name on the back of our players' jerseys.

[SlickRick]

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

Opinions about our softball program carry more weight when relayed by those who have followed it closely for years. I wish more of our fans cared as much as JMV and a few others who have posted many times on this thread.

[JMV Just My View]

There never has been a name on the back of our players' jerseys.

Correct. It is a saying only. Team before Player. We before Me. Us before I.

[Roarman]

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

There's one thing I disagree with here. That is, you don't think anyone would care if JMV stops attending games.

Here's why I disagree with you.
Successful programs—especially one with the proud tradition of Cajun Softball—does not take a single fan or season ticket holder for granted. Packed stands create a home-field advantage that helps the Cajuns win, creates an incredible atmosphere for the players, and catches the eyes of recruits.

When fans get frustrated, it’s because they care and expect excellence. Writing off a season ticket holder just because they’re voicing disappointment is shortsighted. The program absolutely wants every single seat filled, and they need the community's support now more than ever to help get the program back to where it once was . Every fan in Lamson Park matters.

[JMV Just My View]

There's one thing I disagree with here. That is, you don't think anyone would care if JMV stops attending games.

Here's why I disagree with you.
Successful programs—especially one with the proud tradition of Cajun Softball—does not take a single fan or season ticket holder for granted. Packed stands create a home-field advantage that helps the Cajuns win, creates an incredible atmosphere for the players, and catches the eyes of recruits.

When fans get frustrated, it’s because they care and expect excellence. Writing off a season ticket holder just because they’re voicing disappointment is shortsighted. The program absolutely wants every single seat filled, and they need the community's support now more than ever to help get the program back to where it once was . Every fan in Lamson Park matters.

I agree. We can easily give up our three long time chairback seats, and the $60-$100 spent per game on drinks and concessions and stay home and watch for free. Sometimes it's more money than that if my daughter and her crew come, I take care of them also. That's not even mentioning the RCAF funds, Center field donation, and NIL and Revenue sharing funds. I along with other are paying customers who can say what they want. As it stands now UL is about the 6th best softball team in the state behind: TSAB, ULM, LA Tech, McNeese, SE, and the 7th best in the SBC. That's not the standards and it shouldn't be OK with any supporter of the program and surely not by any coach, staff member, player or UL administrator. UL is getting handled in state and in the conference. That's the bottom line cause JMV said so.

[Turbine]

Next gen fans with opinions (right or wrong) and questions that can be adjusted in a mild manner are more valuable than "stay in your lane"

[sportsfanatic21]

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.

Now some of this information as a reply to my original post would have been a productive conversation. Instead, you told me I’m not entitled to have an opinion and implied that I stalk your comments and “attack”. Trust me, you and your opinions aren’t that important to me. I gave my opinion, and by reading some of what you posted here, maybe I’m wrong. Or maybe a 2 year sample size isn’t large enough to determine that one way or the other.

I would like to know if any kids with really good stats playing lesser competition have come in and kept that same production.

Im not a big attack the coach(es) guy. Again, maybe I'm wrong, but I’d be willing to bet they are working their butts off to put together the best roster they can. And I agree that if the results continue to be what they’ve been, then it’s probably time to move in another direction. But I also read nearly the exact same things about the baseball staff after the 2025 season and throughout the offseason leading into the 2026 season.

Alyson was everyone’s dream hire at one time. Lacy Prejean was thought of highly enough to be hired as a D1 Head Coach. It’s just my nature to believe that they know more about what’s going on than the fans do. Again, maybe I’m wrong…but I doubt it in this instance.

Finally, to your comment, “you know little to nothing about the UL softball program”, I don’t follow it as closely as you (and some others here) do, but I was attending games in the late 1980s. I’ve traveled to watch the Cajuns play in regionals, and I watch nearly every game that doesn’t conflict with Cajuns baseball. Softball doesn’t appeal to me to the point where I’m stalking the internet for information about players, watching a ton of games (or any at all) that don’t involve the Cajuns. But I know a ton about the history of the program, and I think that I’m entitled to have an opinion, right, wrong, or indifferent.

[sportsfanatic21]

Next gen fans with opinions (right or wrong) and questions that can be adjusted in a mild manner are more valuable than "stay in your lane"

Exactly. Same for people that have followed the program for nearly 40 years, and may have a differing opinion.

[JMV Just My View]

Next gen fans with opinions (right or wrong) and questions that can be adjusted in a mild manner are more valuable than "stay in your lane"

Who are the next generation fans? The UL base is aging out at a fast rate and nothing is being done to generate new fans. To quote VObserver, games at Lamson Park looks like the Tuesday night bingo at the nursing home.

[JMV Just My View]

Now some of this information as a reply to my original post would have been a productive conversation. Instead, you told me I’m not entitled to have an opinion and implied that I stalk your comments and “attack”. Trust me, you and your opinions aren’t that important to me. I gave my opinion, and by reading some of what you posted here, maybe I’m wrong. Or maybe a 2 year sample size isn’t large enough to determine that one way or the other.

I would like to know if any kids with really good stats playing lesser competition have come in and kept that same production.

Im not a big attack the coach(es) guy. Again, maybe I'm wrong, but I’d be willing to bet they are working their butts off to put together the best roster they can. And I agree that if the results continue to be what they’ve been, then it’s probably time to move in another direction. But I also read nearly the exact same things about the baseball staff after the 2025 season and throughout the offseason leading into the 2026 season.

Alyson was everyone’s dream hire at one time. Lacy Prejean was thought of highly enough to be hired as a D1 Head Coach. It’s just my nature to believe that they know more about what’s going on than the fans do. Again, maybe I’m wrong…but I doubt it in this instance.

Finally, to your comment, “you know little to nothing about the UL softball program”, I don’t follow it as closely as you (and some others here) do, but I was attending games in the late 1980s. I’ve traveled to watch the Cajuns play in regionals, and I watch nearly every game that doesn’t conflict with Cajuns baseball. Softball doesn’t appeal to me to the point where I’m stalking the internet for information about players, watching a ton of games (or any at all) that don’t involve the Cajuns. But I know a ton about the history of the program, and I think that I’m entitled to have an opinion, right, wrong, or indifferent.

You would like to know if any kids with really good stats playing lesser competition have come in and kept that same production. The answer to that question is NO. If they are working their butts off to build the best roster then the work isn't enough as teams in state and in conference are taken them to the woodshed. I never said you couldn't have an opinion, I just think your opinion is more valuable on the baseball side from your playing experience. Lacy got a D1 job based off the success of the UL program and Glasco. Northwestern thaught the UL success could translate for their program and it didn't.

[Roarman]

Who are the next generation fans? The UL base is aging out at a fast rate and nothing is being done to generate new fans. To quote VObserver, games at Lamson Park looks like the Tuesday night bingo at the nursing home.

Well, I'm not playing bingo at the nursing home yet. However, I am considering learning how to play mahjong.

The aging fan base is not only a problem for the Cajuns. It is a problem for softball programs throughout the country and here are the stats to back it up.

• Retirees and Older Alumni: Deeply loyal, local fans who have been supporting the university for decades. They form the consistent, game-in, game-out bedrock of the season-ticket holder base.
• Parents and Kids: You may, occasionally see young youth softball players (ages 8–14) and their parents who are in their 30s or 40s.
• The Missing Student Section
• Current college students (ages 18–22) At UL student attendance at softball games is practically non-existent. Because that massive block of 20-year-olds is missing from the stands, there is no "young weight" inside the park to pull the average down.

Therefore, Gen X and Boomer sports purists who just love watching high-level, fast-paced execution on the dirt account for an overwhelming percentage of fans in the stands.

And, I don't think that is changing anytime soon. The question is, can younger fans replace the older fans that will age out?

[Turbine]

Who are the next generation fans? The UL base is aging out at a fast rate and nothing is being done to generate new fans. To quote VObserver, games at Lamson Park looks like the Tuesday night bingo at the nursing home.

Probably those who read comments, have never attended a game but may be on their way to becoming interested.

They will lose interest or never ask questions if they feel they have to stay in their lane.

[Vobserver]

A question was posed about players coming from lower level programs... In just the last 3 years ... 2024 Brooke Ellestad [from St. Thomas, a school in its first year in D1] hit .359... she left here and hit over .350 at Alabama in 2025. 2025 ... Mia Liscano [NSU] hit .288 and was part of the middle infield that turned around 60 double plays. ... 2026 ... Mia Liscano hit .421 and Brooke Otto [McNeese] hit .338 and led the team in HR and RBI.

Also... though not as successful as those mentioned... our leading ERA pitchers ins 2025 [Sam Ryan] and 2026 [Bethany Noble] were JUCO transfers.

Additionally Dayzja Williams [an unrecruited walkon] has hit over .300 in each of the last 2 seasons.

[JMV Just My View]

Hopefully, tomorrow a commit announces. They went on a air boat ride today on their visit. Stay tuned so see if they actually commit.

[Roarman]

A question was posed about players coming from lower level programs... In just the last 3 years ... 2024 Brooke Ellestad [from St. Thomas, a school in its first year in D1] hit .359... she left here and hit over .350 at Alabama in 2025. 2025 ... Mia Liscano [NSU] hit .288 and was part of the middle infield that turned around 60 double plays. ... 2026 ... Mia Liscano hit .421 and Brooke Otto [McNeese] hit .338 and led the team in HR and RBI.

Also... though not as successful as those mentioned... our leading ERA pitchers ins 2025 [Sam Ryan] and 2026 [Bethany Noble] were JUCO transfers.

Additionally Dayzja Williams [an unrecruited walkon] has hit over .300 in each of the last 2 seasons.

Unfortunately, in 2025 Sam Ryan had a 2.93 era and a record of 6-5. In 2026, Bethanie Noble King had an era of 2.86 and a record of 9-5. As a point of reference, from 2001 to 2024, the highest era of the entire team over that period was 2.75.

The fact that Ryan had the lowest era on the team in 2025 and Bethany had the lowest era on the team in 2026 is the main reason why the Cajuns did not win the conference, did not win the tournament and did not get an at-large bid.