Softball Offseason

[RaginDave]

PLEASE! No more community college or division II transfers! No matter how well they might have done at those levels, most of them have proven they cannot compete effectively at the division I level. Players like the two you mentioned have incredible numbers at the lower level, but, once they advance to Division 1, their offensive numbers are sometimes cut in half and sometimes pitcher's ERAs double.

I think Brooke Ellested and man, I wish I could remember the pitcher we got from a D2 school in Kentucky a few years back would beg to differ with you. Both ended up being excellent Cajun Softball players. You find them wherever you can find them.

[CajunsSball22]

I think Brooke Ellested and man, I wish I could remember the pitcher we got from a D2 school in Kentucky a few years back would beg to differ with you. Both ended up being excellent Cajun Softball players. You find them wherever you can find them.

Krystal Lewallen

[RaginDave]

Krystal Lewallen

That is the one, thanks. My early onset Alzheimer is kicking in.

2006 season, I know it was a while ago, but 24-8 with a 1.95 ERA.

I am sure others can name more, but those are the Cajuns that come to my mind. Ellestad hit .398 with 6 homers for the Cajuns in 2024 and by the way Ellestad quietly when to Alabama and hit .298 with 7 homers in the SEC while starting 58 of 60 games that she played. Not too shabby, I would take a dozen Brooke Ellestad's next year.

[RoarMan]

That is the one, thanks. My early onset Alzheimer is kicking in.

2006 season, I know it was a while ago, but 24-8 with a 1.95 ERA.

I am sure others can name more, but those are the Cajuns that come to my mind. Ellestad hit .398 with 6 homers for the Cajuns in 2024 and by the way Ellestad quietly when to Alabama and hit .298 with 7 homers in the SEC while starting 58 of 60 games that she played. Not too shabby, I would take a dozen Brooke Ellestad's next year.

Ellestad was very good. I really think she was an exception. Besides her, the other player you mentioned, was successful 19 years ago. So, it's been that long since a division II player, besides Ellestad, contributed.

[RaginDave]

Ellestad was very good. I really think she was an exception. Besides her, the other player you mentioned, was successful 19 years ago. So, it's been that long since a division II player, besides Ellestad, contributed.

I was talking about players on teams outside of the Cajuns. There are plenty diamonds in the rough out there that coaches miss on that could play D1 softball, besides Ellestad. I don't think there are tons, but I would not stop looking there as another poster suggested.

I guarantee you that there are other Ellestad's available year in and year out.

[RoarMan]

I was talking about players on teams outside of the Cajuns. There are plenty diamonds in the rough out there that coaches miss on that could play D1 softball, besides Ellestad. I don't think there are tons, but I would not stop looking there as another poster suggested.

I guarantee you that there are other Ellestad's available year in and year out.

I'm sure there are. However, if I were the head coach, I would not take that route. I would go after division 1 players who decided to go into the portal because they may be sitting due to a player at the same position being a little better than they are. There's a reason players are at the division 1 level, and, there's a reason players play in division 2.

[lcitsh]

Point of information: Yes, Brooke Ellestad played at St. Thomas (MN), a former D3 program, but her freshman year was the first year of St. Thomas move up to D1, they played a complete D1 schedule both of her years there, her junior year was here and senior was Alabama. She led St. Thomas both of her years there in most offensive categories and improved on them her one year here.

[JMV JustMyView]

In my opinion we are in crunch mode. I'm more worried about getting players right now. Our pitching depth is scary and not in a good way. Delbrey and Hoover both basically haven't pitched in two seasons, Noble had a 6 something era last season, and Mackles coming in from high school has walked more batters than innings thrown. We need veterans arms and the outfield situation is bad. We have two slappers in Williams and Ardion and Knox who redshirted, that's it. If they don't get any other outfielders from the portal we are in trouble because we have no outfielders coming in from high school. They might have to convert some infielders like Gabby to play the outfield.

[CajunSID]

In my opinion we are in crunch mode. I'm more worried about getting players right now. Our pitching depth is scary and not in a good way. Delbrey and Hoover both basically haven't pitched in two seasons, Noble had a 6 something era last season, and Mackles coming in from high school has walked more batters than innings thrown. We need veterans arms and the outfield situation is bad. We have two slappers in Williams and Ardion and Knox who redshirted, that's it. If they don't get any other outfielders from the portal we are in trouble because we have no outfielders coming in from high school. They might have to convert some infielders like Gabby to play the outfield.

Yep.

[SlickRick]

I don't know about y'all, but not having signed a pitching or hitting coach yet is a big, big problem. No way to spin this. Maybe she will pull a rabbit out of the hat? I sure hope so!