Future Looks Bright for Lady Cajun Softball

[NewsCopy]

After one week of spring practice, UL softball coach Michael Lotief liked what he saw as the Ragin' Cajuns continued preparing for the 2008 season. "I'm proud of our kids," said Lotief, who shares UL coaching duties with wife Stefni. "They were mentally ready. Physically they're in good shape. Their enthusiasm was good. Their energy level was good. Everybody's healthy, everybody's eligible, everyone's back. "They understand the challenges ahead of them. They understand what the expectations are." And the expectations are undoubtedly high. The Cajuns return 13 letterwinners from last season's team, which went 46-18 and advanced to the NCAA Regional round. This season they brought in one of the nation's top recruiting classes with 10 newcomers. The crown jewel of the class is freshman pitcher Ashley Brignac - named the Gatorade High School Player of the Year in June after leading John Curtis to a fifth straight state championship. She won three games as the ace of USA Softball's Junior Women's National Team, which went 10-0 and won its first world championship since 1995 in The Netherlands in June. The rest of the story Joshua Parrott jparrott@theadvertiser.com

[RaginFan2]

This looks to be a very strong team this year. The only question to me is whether or not they can handle the pressure of very high expectations. I think they can. It feels like this team is not just expected to make the regionals, but that anything less than the WCWS would be a bit of a disappointment. I'm sure that, as with any season, there will be some ups and downs. The character of this year's team will decide how far they go. How will they respond to adversity? Will there be any jealousy for all of the limelight falling on Brignac? We shall see how it all unfolds shortly! Should be a great time for UL softball! Geaux Cajuns!

[ulforlife]

_ This looks to be a very strong team this year. The only question to me is whether or not they can handle the pressure of very high expectations. I think they can. It feels like this team is not just expected to make the regionals, but that anything less than the WCWS would be a bit of a disappointment. I'm sure that, as with any season, there will be some ups and downs. The character of this year's team will decide how far they go. How will they respond to adversity? Will there be any jealousy for all of the limelight falling on Brignac? We shall see how it all unfolds shortly! Should be a great time for UL softball! Geaux Cajuns! _

Don't worry they will be focused. They have been spending a lot of time together and they are a true "team". This group will go far this year, and again for the next 3 years

[Cajun Express]

It feels like this team is not just expected to make the regionals, but that anything less than the WCWS would be a bit of a disappointment.

Geaux Cajuns!

Any time the Ragin'Cajuns don't make a WCWS it is a bit of a disappointment. They have been there often enough to be disappointed when they don't get there. I think this team, this year is expecting even more, there is no self imposed ceiling on this team young or not.

[LuLu]

... , there is no self imposed ceiling on this team young or not.

I liked the way you said that. Just wanted you to know.

[LuLu]

The character of this year's team will decide how far they go. How will they respond to adversity? Will there be any jealousy for all of the limelight falling on Brignac?

Ashley Brignac is one of the most unassuming young ladies I've ever met. Her number is 00. She is very approachable. She and Brittany Cuevas were roommates last semester, I don't know if they still are. Both are exceptional students.

This is an incredible TEAM. On day 2 of the tournament in October, they switched jerseys. I am not sure the coaches even knew the numbers changed. The girls just wanted to confuse everyone because the numbers didn't match the program. They are so loose. They truly do like each other.

[geo_cajun]

Great athletes, great people, great coaches, great fans. I'm gonna go ahead and say UL Lady Cajuns win WCWS national championship. We have players who are used to winning, and success breads success. We have been close in years past, not never quite made it. I think this year will be the year!

[lcitsh]

_ This looks to be a very strong team this year. The only question to me is whether or not they can handle the pressure of very high expectations. I think they can. It feels like this team is not just expected to make the regionals, but that anything less than the WCWS would be a bit of a disappointment. I'm sure that, as with any season, there will be some ups and downs. The character of this year's team will decide how far they go. How will they respond to adversity? Will there be any jealousy for all of the limelight falling on Brignac? We shall see how it all unfolds shortly! Should be a great time for UL softball! Geaux Cajuns! _

I'm going to put this in more practical terms. It's not about their character, chemistry, talent or any other intangibles. Those will not be a problem. The true question will be "Who will step up and provide the consistent offense that was lacking last year?" Codi Runyan was hurt the last third of the year. As good as Melissa Verde, Meagan Godwin and Vallie Gaspard were for a good part of the season, they became less effectual late in the season when they faced tougher pitchers. Holly had All-American stats, but she, too, was hurt at the end of the year which kept her from making her full contributions. I think the question is going to be how these transfers contribute to this lineup and how much last year's freshmen learned from their first taste of Division 1 competition.
Here are some of the things working in this team's favor: Michael Lotief is one of the top hitting coaches in the country. This coaching staff does not recruit bums. This schedule is designed for the players to face the type of teams they will see in the College World Series. The returning players have the memory of being bounced from the Sun Belt tournament for the first time in the program's history (payback!). And the Sun Belt finally has an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
The players' work ethic will determine how successful they will be this season and I fully expect they will work harder than they ever have before.

[Cajun Express]

_ I'm going to put this in more practical terms. It's not about their character, chemistry, talent or any other intangibles. Those will not be a problem. The true question will be "Who will step up and provide the consistent offense that was lacking last year?" Codi Runyan was hurt the last third of the year. As good as Melissa Verde, Meagan Godwin and Vallie Gaspard were for a good part of the season, they became less effectual late in the season when they faced tougher pitchers. Holly had All-American stats, but she, too, was hurt at the end of the year which kept her from making her full contributions. I think the question is going to be how these transfers contribute to this lineup and how much last year's freshmen learned from their first taste of Division 1 competition.
Here are some of the things working in this team's favor: Michael Lotief is one of the top hitting coaches in the country. This coaching staff does not recruit bums. This schedule is designed for the players to face the type of teams they will see in the College World Series. The returning players have the memory of being bounced from the Sun Belt tournament for the first time in the program's history (payback!). And the Sun Belt finally has an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
The players' work ethic will determine how successful they will be this season and I fully expect they will work harder than they ever have before. _

You made some very valid points. We lost to ULM in overtime on a one run game. I think we also lost one of our games in the regional on one run late in the game. Nobody has ever won a game scoring less than one run. I know duh.