2026 Softball Offseason

[UL_Cajuns]

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

pitcher?

[Vobserver]

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.

Those numbers for Ryan and Noble were not great, but they contributed in meaningful ways, and would have been at least adequate to eat some innings if those ERA numbers had been third or fourth on the team.

[60swerethebest]

Agree the crowd is an older age group than other sports but I made that comment when I watched games when I was in my sixties at games at Lamson. Now in my eighties I see the same except I’m the geezer. Maybe we’re replacing the oldest with newer oldies. Last season saw lots of young girls at games. Never have seen but a few students.

[Roarman]

Those numbers for Ryan and Noble were not great, but they contributed in meaningful ways, and would have been at least adequate to eat some innings if those ERA numbers had been third or fourth on the team.

In 2024, Sam Ryan finished the season on a Glasco coached team with an era of 3.75. She threw a total of 18.2 innings. How meaningful is that?

[Turbine]

In 2024, Sam Ryan finished the season on a Glasco coached team with an era of 3.75. She threw a total of 18.2 innings. How meaningful is that?

More a reflection of Glasco not letting her warm up and yanking her.

She was notorious for starting slow.

[Vobserver]

Roar, I have acknowledged several times in this thread that you are correct about pitching being a primary issue, and I have not touted either Ryan or Noble as being anything more than adequate #3 or #4 pitchers. The only reason I mentioned them at all is to show that JUCO or lower level players can play a positive role for us.

[Roarman]

Roar, I have acknowledged several times in this thread that you are correct about pitching being a primary issue, and I have not touted either Ryan or Noble as being anything more than adequate #3 or #4 pitchers. The only reason I mentioned them at all is to show that JUCO or lower level players can play a positive role for us.

It's okay to disagree. My point is, neither Ryan nor Noble would have pitched a significant number of innings on any team prior to 2025.

Just a reminder. In 2025, Noble had an era of 5+. That is the highest era of any pitcher who pitched more than 30 innings in the HISTORY of the program.

[Suave]

It's okay to disagree. My point is, neither Ryan nor Noble would have pitched a significant number of innings on any team prior to 2025.

Just a reminder. In 2025, Noble had an era of 5+. That is the highest era of any pitcher who pitched more than 30 innings in the HISTORY of the program.

I totally understand the point being made. But something we need to consider. Games prior to the 2000’s were mostly 1-0 2-1. 3-2. Hitting has advanced big time recently so good ERAs are tough to come by. There aren’t enough good pitching to keep that down across the country. Big schools are piling up the pitching as they no longer rely on only one. We use to get one that would sign here. That pitcher is now a #2 in the SEC

[Turbine]

Talent graveyards are popping up everywhere

[Roarman]

I totally understand the point being made. But something we need to consider. Games prior to the 2000’s were mostly 1-0 2-1. 3-2. Hitting has advanced big time recently so good ERAs are tough to come by. There aren’t enough good pitching to keep that down across the country. Big schools are piling up the pitching as they no longer rely on only one. We use to get one that would sign here. That pitcher is now a #2 in the SEC

What you've stated here is simply not true. That's because you do not know the statistics. Here's the truth of the Cajun's team era starting in 2001. From a low of 0.90 to a high of only 2.75 proves that low eras can be had. So, try again.

2001 1.44
2002 1.83
2003 1.25
2004 .90
2005 1.05
2006 1.87
2007 2.19
2008 1.34
2009 1.02
2010 2.32
2011 1.77
2012 2.32
2013 2.37
2014 2.75
2015 2.38
2016 2.06
2017 2.07
2018 1.99
2019 1.48
2021 2.37
2022 2.17
2023 2.10
2024 2.49

2025 3.79
2026 3.69

[Suave]

What you've stated here is simply not true. That's because you do not know the statistics. Here's the truth of the Cajun's team era starting in 2001. From a low of 0.90 to a high of only 2.75 proves that low eras can be had. So, try again.

2001 1.44
2002 1.83
2003 1.25
2004 .90
2005 1.05
2006 1.87
2007 2.19
2008 1.34
2009 1.02
2010 2.32
2011 1.77
2012 2.32
2013 2.37
2014 2.75
2015 2.38
2016 2.06
2017 2.07
2018 1.99
2019 1.48
2021 2.37
2022 2.17
2023 2.10
2024 2.49

2025 3.79
2026 3.69

Your stats proved my point. And if you live by stats alone, you are missing the sport. Open your eyes and watch and you will see. Every expert with more knowledge than you will agree with me. Pull up that stats of avg hrs per year for college softball. And ask any former UL pitcher how they would do today with only one pitch.

[Suave]

ERA alone doesn’t dictate winning pitching. You can get run ruled and not give up an earned run. Nice try

[Roarman]

Your stats proved my point. And if you live by stats alone, you are missing the sport. Open your eyes and watch and you will see. Every expert with more knowledge than you will agree with me. Pull up that stats of avg hrs per year for college softball. And ask any former UL pitcher how they would do today with only one pitch.

I can pretty much promise you, any team with a team era of 2.75 or below will finish with a better record than almost any team with a 3.69 are 3.79 era. All you really have to do is go back and look at the Cajuns win/loss record over the last 26 years. The eras of the 2025 team and the 2026 team is the main contributer as to why those two teams lost more games than any of the other teams in that 26 year period.

I did run into Jordan Wallace yesterday, if you know who that is. As a freshman, she won her first 21 games. Do you think she really only had just one pitch?

[Suave]

I can pretty much promise you, any team with a team era of 2.75 or below will finish with a better record than almost any team with a 3.69 are 3.79 era. All you really have to do is go back and look at the Cajuns win/loss record over the last 26 years. The eras of the 2025 team and the 2026 team is the main contributer as to why those two teams lost more games than any of the other teams in that 26 year period.

I did run into Jordan Wallace yesterday, if you know who that is. As a freshman, she won her first 21 games. Do you think she really only had just one pitch?

You missed my point. Hitting across the country is way better than when Jordan was pitching. Because of that, schools like the SEC are stock piling the pitchers. Jordan Wallace would not sign with us if she played today. So the hitters that UL are facing are better and the pitchers that we are signing are not as good. Those 2 things lead to the problem that we have. Cajuns last 2 yrs ERA prove that. All I’m saying. But if want to be the smartest person in the room with you analytics, go far it.

[Suave]

Hopefully our swamp adventures work and we are able to sign some players this weekend.