Softball Offseason

[JMV JustMyView]

In my opinion this off season will be the most critical off-season for the future of the program. I believe some tough decisions will need to be made with the roster and staff. Unfortunately the way this team was decimated and how the NIL and portal is, it may take a little longer to get back to a national level. Key off season questions marks:
1. What will this coaching staff look like next season? (I think the Cajuns will have two new assistant coaches)
2. Who transfers in? (I believe the Cajuns will hit the portal hard for experience players and power hitters)
3. Who transfers out? (Do the Cajuns cut bait with anyone who isn't contributing)
4. What does the team do different to reach the next level? (Getting Delbrey and Hoover 100% healthy will be huge for next season)
5. Will any incoming or red shirt freshman step up? (Look for Knox to be huge for the Cajuns next season, Haley Hart also could be a big time player)
6. How will the schedule play out? (Do the Cajuns continue to schedule hard or soften the schedule depending on the roster next season)

In my opinion everything from top to bottom that has any involvement with the program will need to be evaluated. A lot was learned for Coach Aly this season. I expect next season for the Cajuns to be back in a regional and regain the top spot in the conference. Geaux Cajuns.

[UL_Cajuns]

From most probably being a national championship contender with our roster that was going to return to being f'd by Glasco and stealing half our team to not even making the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1998.
Such high hopes to come crashing down to this low. Story of a Cajun fan. What could have been.

[VObserver]

I think all your points are valid.

1. Coaching issues this year hurt us, especially at the plate. Our hitting philosophy and techniques have to change for us to be successful.

2. I agree with you here about the importance of hitting the portal hard for high average power hitters. I think it important that we try to get at least one effective pitcher as well.

3. I am hoping that we can hang on to the players we want. It's a business; we need to encourage those who were not productive to seek other places to play.

4. To reach the next level we need a few things:
a. Sage and Lexie to be as good as they were pre-injury.
b. A freshman or portal pitcher to come in and be effective.
c. Mallory to continue to improve.
d. Knox, Allen and Reanna Liscano to produce both at the plate and in the field.
e. Smith and Williams continue to improve.
f. Recruit or portal in a middle infielder as good as Ceci Vasquez and Mia Liscano, preferably one who hits for high average and with power.
g. Portal in or recruit a power hitting catcher.
h. Recruit or portal in a power hitting outfielder.
i. With regard to all recruits as portal targets: Look for long, athletic girls who can run.

5. I believe at least two of Knox, Allen and R. Liscano will step up and step in.

6. I do not believe we should soften our schedule. Maybe go to more Auburn, Ole Miss, Iowa or Baylor types and less Texas, Texas A&M and Mississippi State types.

I agree that as of today, literally everything in the program must be honestly evaluated and appropriate action taken, whether positive or negative.

[VObserver]

From most probably being a national championship contender with our roster that was going to return to being f'd by Glasco and stealing half our team to not even making the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1998.
Such high hopes to come crashing down to this low. Story of a Cajun fan. What could have been.

I must say that I am very, very proud of our team. It would have been easy to shut it down and just go through the motions this year. That they continued to play hard and never quit striving to improve is a testament to both the coaches and the players. I am disappointed that we fell short of making the NCAA tournament, but I am not disappointed in any way with our girls.

[cajunref]

I think all your points are valid.

1. Coaching issues this year hurt us, especially at the plate. Our hitting philosophy and techniques have to change for us to be successful.

2. I agree with you here about the importance of hitting the portal hard for high average power hitters. I think it important that we try to get at least one effective pitcher as well.

3. I am hoping that we can hang on to the players we want. It's a business; we need to encourage those who were not productive to seek other places to play.

4. To reach the next level we need a few things:
a. Sage and Lexie to be as good as they were pre-injury.
b. A freshman or portal pitcher to come in and be effective.
c. Mallory to continue to improve.
d. Knox, Allen and Reanna Liscano to produce both at the plate and in the field.
e. Smith and Williams continue to improve.
f. Recruit or portal in a middle infielder as good as Ceci Vasquez and Mia Liscano, preferably one who hits for high average and with power.
g. Portal in or recruit a power hitting catcher.
h. Recruit or portal in a power hitting outfielder.
i. With regard to all recruits as portal targets: Look for long, athletic girls who can run.

5. I believe at least two of Knox, Allen and R. Liscano will step up and step in.

6. I do not believe we should soften our schedule. Maybe go to more Auburn, Ole Miss, Iowa or Baylor types and less Texas, Texas A&M and Mississippi State types.

I agree that as of today, literally everything in the program must be honestly evaluatedand appropriate action taken, whether positive or negative.

Excellent post. # 1 needs to change, we were poorly coached in my opinion. Everything is on the table as of today. Habetz needs to also do an honest, critical self evaluation. She gets a grace period given the terrible hand she was dealt by Glasco.

[NOCajun]

In addition, we need to get another "super-arm" pitcher. One of the last ones we had was Ashley Brignac.

[sportsfanatic21]

So basically we just need a bunch of girls who hit .350 with 15 HRs and an All American pitcher??

That should be easy. Can’t wait for next year!

[RaginScotsman]

From most probably being a national championship contender with our roster that was going to return to being f'd by Glasco and stealing half our team to not even making the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1998.
Such high hopes to come crashing down to this low. Story of a Cajun fan. What could have been.

I made a point to try to not think about it after the first few games, but since the season is over, what the hell. If all things carried over from 2024 that were supposed to, we may not have lost a game in conference this year. We certainly would have been in the conversation to host again. Maybe better.

Even with last year's team, we may have run the table vs. the 2025 Sun Belt.

No doubt Coach Aly and staff did what she could with what they had. It was a tough task. No disrespect to the players that came in. Happy that they chose to be Cajuns and some performed well. But given our past, it didn't give tons of optimism pulling in multiple players from the Southland and what was left after the transfer portal had largely been picked over.

Now that they have a full offseason the coaching staff (whoever stays) has a chance to make some magic happen. Get after it.

[JMV JustMyView]

Excellent post. # 1 needs to change, we were poorly coached in my opinion. Everything is on the table as of today. Habetz needs to also do an honest, critical self evaluation. She gets a grace period given the terrible hand she was dealt by Glasco.

Changes will happen.

[JMV JustMyView]

In addition, we need to get another "super-arm" pitcher. One of the last ones we had was Ashley Brignac.

Yeah those are a dime a dozen, lol.

[NOCajun]

Yeah those are a dime a dozen, lol.

Hardly, but they're out there, if you look for them. Covid Carolina found one...

[UL_Cajuns]

Excellent post. # 1 needs to change, we were poorly coached in my opinion. Everything is on the table as of today. Habetz needs to also do an honest, critical self evaluation. She gets a grace period given the terrible hand she was dealt by Glasco.

She wouldn't be here if that terrible hand by Glasco wasn't dealt though. It is her job to fix it.