Lady Cajuns' future still bright

<! Port Barre product Bergeaux won't be returning, to Lady Cajun lineup. > <blockquote><p align=justify>Louisiana's Lady Cajun softball teams have averaged over 50 wins and 70 home runs per season since Stefni and Michael Lotief took over the program in 2001.

They've won everything there is to win in the Sun Belt Conference, made annual trips to the NCAA Tournament and even made a pilgrimage to the Women's College World Series in 2003.

They've produced All-American players and scholar-athlete honorees.

Obviously, the standards are high around Ragin' Cajun Softball Park, which made it tough for the Cajuns to see their 2005 campaign end in NCAA Regional play last weekend.

When the Lotiefs and assistant coach Lacy Prejean sat down this week to start preparations for 2006, the first step was to realize they would be without 2005 seniors Jill Robertson, Joy Webre, Tiffany Hebert, Crystal George and pitcher Brooke Mitchell.

They knew it, of course, but it became reality when UL finished 51-10.

That group takes with it 132 runs, 165 hits, 18 home runs and 84 RBIs out of the Cajun offense, and Mitchell's departure knocks out just over half of their pitching numbers.

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Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com <!--

Beyond the numbers, that quintet was a special group for the program for their leadership and drive.

If the Cajuns are going to reload instead of rebuild, key personnel issues will need to be addressed.

For starters, utility player Michelle Bergeaux of Port Barre has told the coaches she won't return.

"We hope to get Holly Tankersley back," Stefni Lotief said. "That would be a huge if and a key for us."

Tankersley was redshirted in 2005, and went home to Texas during the spring semester when her grandmother died. She will be in summer school and hopes to put academic and personal issues behind her in time for next season.

If she does, she could be a big addition. As a freshman in 2004, Tankersley set a school record with 21 home runs, drove in 53 runs and batted .346. The 5-foot-10 standout was also 10-1 as a pitcher with a 1.36 ERA.

"Obviously," Lotief said, "she can cover up a lot of holes. She's so versatile, she can play anywhere. When she was in high school, she caught when she wasn't pitching. She can also play the infield and outfield.

"I don't think there's a position she couldn't do. She can be in the circle for us."

Heather Bobbitt (18-1, 1.36 ERA) and Ashley Kirchberg (5-2, 0.84 ERA) are scheduled to return at pitcher.

Bobbitt has to prove she has the focus to be the No. 1 on the staff, while transfer Kirchberg passed 20 hours of classwork in the spring while serving as the squad's No. 3 hurler.

"There are still questions to be answered with both of them," Lotief said.

Amanda Hill of Tomball, Texas, whose father played junior college baseball at Wharton College with UL coach Tony Robichaux, is a highly-regarded right-handed pitcher in the 2005 recruiting class.

Slender Lafayette High right-hander Shari Sigur, a two-time All-State performer, is another new standout pitcher.

Beaumont's Melissa Verde is also on board after leading her team to the Class 4A state title in Texas.

While Mitchell endured an injury-plagued senior year, Cajun slugger Danyele Gomez (20 home runs in 2005, 53 in her career) volunteered to pitch if needed.

"Danyele was 24-1 as a pitcher at Cabrini High School," Lotief said. "She's one of those kids who will do whatever it takes to win."

More than likely, Gomez will remain stationed in right field, teaming with Tankersley to form an imposing one-two power punch in the lineup with support from first baseman Lacey Bertucci (16 homers) and Ashley Evans (10 homers) next spring.

Senior-to-be Leslie Pierce and redshirt freshman Jessica Lemoine will try to step in cat catcher.

"Jessica is going to be a key there," Lotief said. "People haven't seen her play yet, but she's good. She has a great arm. Her hitting and her arm have never been a question.

"And she's a thinker. She was a 4.0 student in high school (Bridge City, Texas). Obviously, every position is a key. But if Jessica stays in shape and does the things she needs to do to get better, she'll be fine."

Ragin' Cajun softball breakdown

Louisiana's Ragin' Cajun softball team is losing seniors Jill Robertson (center field), Tiffany Hebert (shortstop-third base), Crystal George (left field), Joy Webre (catcher) and Brooke Mitchell (pitcher). Their combined impact in their final season at UL in 2005:

Senior runs - 132 of 342 total in 2005 (38
.6 percent).

Senior hits - 165 of 444 total (37.2 percent).

Senior home runs - 18 of 81 total (22.2 percent).

Senior RBIs - 84 of 313 total (26.8 percent).
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If Holly comes back we will be just as good with her and Danyele in the outfield. Lot's of power there folks.