Softball Offseason

[DieHard 1280]

We need proven players not more sub/utility players. Not knocking the kid but since you mentioned her I did my research. In 2023 she hit .235 with 2 hr in 81 abs. In 2025 she hit .238 with 0 hr in 42 abs. Sorry in my opinion we need power bats in the outfield, not another defensive replacement. Four outfielders would still not be enough.

Maybe we can get her over to UL and have our new hitting coach, coach her up!

Oh wait…



Sorry, trying to laugh so I don’t start crying again. My good news thread fizzled out on me. Maybe it’ll get going again next week after the coaches Aly is planning to interview are less busy and we hire one of them.

Oh there’s another funny (in my head at least.)

[JMV JustMyView]

Maybe I’m wrong, but watch where she lands. Lot of players whose stats aren’t eye-popping ending up at major programs from this portal. Coaches like players who aren’t 18 and a crapshoot leaving home for the first time.

She will be a D1 player. He is the deal Sam Ryan I believe without looking it up lead the team last season in era and whip. She came from Chattanooga Community College. The school and competition that Boyer played at is way better. I would take Boyer in a heartbeat. I believe she could hit .300, with 10 hrs and 30ish rbi for the Cajuns.

[JMV JustMyView]

The last top level portal pitcher lwfr in the portal signed with Ole Miss yesterday.

[Mark Hemphill]

And that’s fair also. It’s unfortunately not an exact science. When Lexi Elkins committed to be a Ragin’ Cajun a lot of people said what are they doing. Elkins hit 0 home runs her freshman season at Texas Tech, starting 48 games behind the plate. She became arguably the best hitter in Ragin’ Cajuns Softball history. I know stats are important, but from what I’ve seen over the years kids develop at different stages of their careers. Another example is Paige Cormier, who sat for four years. Became a starter her senior year and I believe had 12 home runs. I’ve seen it work many times and I’ve seen it not work many times.

They all played for a coach who knew how to teach hitting and who stressed the long ball over the short game. Sure, he had slappers at the top of the lineup but if you looked at power slots (3, 4 and 5 hole hitters) he had girls who could hit the long ball with the hope that they would drive in the slappers who had gotten on base. As much as many of you profess to despise him, Mike had, and still has, the ability to teach hitting and developed many a girl that others had passed on into being a productive player and an All American.

[J-Town Cajun]

☝️

[RoarMan]

They all played for a coach who knew how to teach hitting and who stressed the long ball over the short game. Sure, he had slappers at the top of the lineup but if you looked at power slots (3, 4 and 5 hole hitters) he had girls who could hit the long ball with the hope that they would drive in the slappers who had gotten on base. As much as many of you profess to despise him, Mike had, and still has, the ability to teach hitting and developed many a girl that others had passed on into being a productive player and an All American.

Very true. During Lotief's tenure his teams averaged 15 sacrifice bunts a year. During Glasco's, 17 a year. Last year, the Cajun's led the nation with 80. They just did not have the ability to play the game Cajun fans were used to seeing. And, it's rather shocking.

[CajunsSball22]

They all played for a coach who knew how to teach hitting and who stressed the long ball over the short game. Sure, he had slappers at the top of the lineup but if you looked at power slots (3, 4 and 5 hole hitters) he had girls who could hit the long ball with the hope that they would drive in the slappers who had gotten on base. As much as many of you profess to despise him, Mike had, and still has, the ability to teach hitting and developed many a girl that others had passed on into being a productive player and an All American.

Absolutely correct!!!

[JMV JustMyView]

They all played for a coach who knew how to teach hitting and who stressed the long ball over the short game. Sure, he had slappers at the top of the lineup but if you looked at power slots (3, 4 and 5 hole hitters) he had girls who could hit the long ball with the hope that they would drive in the slappers who had gotten on base. As much as many of you profess to despise him, Mike had, and still has, the ability to teach hitting and developed many a girl that others had passed on into being a productive player and an All American.

Mark are you available?

[JMV JustMyView]

☝️

Yep, Mike was a great hitting coach.

[VObserver]

While we are discussing the changing scene of D 1 Softball, I extend a heartfelt congratulations to Maya Johnson, Belmont's All-American pitcher, for exiting the portal and returning to Belmont for her final season.

She entered the portal as a grad transfer because Belmont discontinued the Masters in Nursing degree program that she was intent on pursuing. She returned to Belmont when they added a different advanced nursing degree program.

Johnson could have gone anywhere in the country and been handsomely rewarded, but chose to return to Belmont out of loyalty to the program that gave her a chance when no one else would.

I won't go into details here, but Maya Johnson is a true warrior; a person who has overcome great personal adversity to achieve at the highest level in softball and in life.