Softball. The Cold, Hard Truth.

[UL_Cajuns]

So year 3 next year and we still have to completely reset the team. At some point it falls on the coaches to get the right players in to continue the legacy of Cajuns Softball.

[CajunSID]

Sometimes, in softball, it all comes down to pitching. There's no sugar-coating it. Stats don't lie. This year's pitching staff may end up being the most ineffective staff in the history of the program, topping the futility of last year's squad. Currently the era of the 2026 team is 3.86. Last year they finished at 3.72. Those two eras rank highest and second to highest in the history of program.

What you saw in today's game is proof there is no pitcher on the team that is even close to being a top tier pitcher. The Cajuns scored 9 runs today. That would have been enough to win in almost any year prior to 2025. Why is Cajun pitching where it's at? Here's my opinion.

I think, going into the year, the coaches bet the house both Delbrey and Hoover could come back from their injuries and compete like they did before being injured. Therefore, the Cajuns only signed one pitcher from the transfer portal. Unfortunately, both Delbrey and Hoover have proven they are nowhere close to being the pitchers they once were. Here are the stats. Delbrey era 4.14. Hoover era 4.67

Now let's take a look at the other pitchers. Noble-King. In 2025, she ended up with the highest era, 5.07, of any pitcher in the history of the program who pitched 35 innings or more. I will give her credit for the way she pitched at the beginning of the season, but, as you saw today, she has regressed to her 2025 form.

Julianne Tipton. She transfered in from Arizona State. At state she finished 2025 with a 7.00 era. I guess the Cajuns were hoping she could do better here. Is her era lower? Yes. It's currently at 3.55. But, still not good enough to have consistent success at this level.

Bailey Mackles. She was given an opportunity at the beginning of the year, but, had control issues and has only pitched 11 innings. As a junior in high school, she was outstanding. So much so that Glasco signed her. Most people do not know this, but, during her senior year she got injured and pitched almost the entire year injured. Maybe like Delbrey and Hoover, she hasn't been able to get over her injury.

One would think, with five pitchers, one would have separated from the pack and become the ace. That has not happened. And, that is the main reason the Cajuns have not had the success they hoped for this year. They do not have a single pitcher they can rely on.

If Tipton, Hoover and Mackles return next year, the Cajuns will be well advised to sign at least three pitchers from the transfer portal. If not, expect to see more performances in the circle like you have seen in 2025 and 2026.

I do not disagree with any of this, however I do not think the pitching is solely responsible for the current position.

The offense has been too inconsistent and the defense has been awful. Statistically they are the worst defense in the Sun Belt and when you come into the season with pitching question marks (like most teams in college softball these days), the inability to back up the pitching has been a disappointment.

Hopefully coming back home turns things around in league play.

[SBQueen]

There are players on the bench that could without a doubt contribute defensively and offensively that have not been given an opportunity to show what they can do, and won’t be given a chance as long as Aly is the coach…don’t know what she has against one in particular. It’s completely insane that she sticks with the same ones and the errors continue and nothing is changed, makes no sense to me !

[JMV JustMyView]

There are players on the bench that could without a doubt contribute defensively and offensively that have not been given an opportunity to show what they can do, and won’t be given a chance as long as Aly is the coach…don’t know what she has against one in particular. It’s completely insane that she sticks with the same ones and the errors continue and nothing is changed, makes no sense to me !

Anyone in particular that you think should be playing more?

[Zydeco bro]

Anyone in particular that you think should be playing more?

Possibly Soto in place of Emily. But can’t put her in and expect instant results without getting some at bats regularly. Mackles should be in the lineup also

[CajunVic]

So year 3 next year and we still have to completely reset the team. At some point it falls on the coaches to get the right players in to continue the legacy of Cajuns Softball.

The LOUISIANA SOFTBALL legacy of years passed was permanent killed by forces outside of this coaching staff or the forces any future coaching staffs will have in their respective powers to fix - how hard is it for the pitchfork posters on this subject to see and understand - obviously very hard . . .

[JMV JustMyView]

Possibly Soto in place of Emily. But can’t put her in and expect instant results without getting some at bats regularly. Mackles should be in the lineup also

The question was asked for SBQUEEN to answer. I already know what you think.

[VObserver]

Based only on what I have seen this year; the only ones who I believe could be possibly an improvement defensively over the current lineup are Miki Watts [probably as an outfielder] and Natalie Johnson at catcher. Norwood should DP, and as much as I really like Ceci, her current injury has limited her mobility. Marceaux should be moved to 1st, Otto to 3rd, Watts, Williams and Hart in the OF. Whoever is in charge of our defensive positioning needs to quit doing it.

Sorry JMV. I am most definitely not SBQueen

[Zydeco bro]

The question was asked for SBQUEEN to answer. I already know what you think.

How do you know what I’m thinking?

[VObserver]

Sometimes, in softball, it all comes down to pitching. There’s no sugar-coating it. Stats don’t lie. This year’s pitching staff may end up being the most ineffective staff in the history of the program, topping the futility of last year’s squad. Currently the era of the 2026 team is 3.86. Last year they finished at 3.72. Those two eras rank highest and second to highest in the history of program.

What you saw in today’s game is proof there is no pitcher on the team that is even close to being a top tier pitcher. The Cajuns scored 9 runs today. That would have been enough to win in almost any year prior to 2025. Why is Cajun pitching where it's at? Here’s my opinion.

I think, going into the year, the coaches bet the house both Delbrey and Hoover could come back from their injuries and compete like they did before being injured. Therefore, the Cajuns only signed one pitcher from the transfer portal. Unfortunately, both Delbrey and Hoover have proven they are nowhere close to being the pitchers they once were. Here are the stats. Delbrey era 4.14. Hoover era 4.67

Now let’s take a look at the other pitchers. Noble-King. In 2025, she ended up with the highest era, 5.07, of any pitcher in the history of the program who pitched 35 innings or more. I will give her credit for the way she pitched at the beginning of the season, but, as you saw today, she has regressed to her 2025 form.

Julianne Tipton. She transfered in from Arizona State. At state she finished 2025 with a 7.00 era. I guess the Cajuns were hoping she could do better here. Is her era lower? Yes. It’s currently at 3.55. But, still not good enough to have consistent success at this level.

Bailey Mackles. She was given an opportunity at the beginning of the year, but, had control issues and has only pitched 11 innings. As a junior in high school, she was outstanding. So much so that Glasco signed her. Most people do not know this, but, during her senior year she got injured and pitched almost the entire year injured. Maybe like Delbrey and Hoover, she hasn’t been able to get over her injury.

One would think, with five pitchers, one would have separated from the pack and become the ace. That has not happened. And, that is the main reason the Cajuns have not had the success they hoped for this year. They do not have a single pitcher they can rely on.

If Tipton, Hoover and Mackles return next year, the Cajuns will be well advised to sign at least three pitchers from the transfer portal. If not, expect to see more performances in the circle like you have seen in 2025 and 2026.

While I agree with your pitching evaluation; that is far from being our only problem. Against Virginia, a game we lost 5-4, we left 9 runners stranded. The first JMU game we stranded 12. That is 21 LOB in two games. We have a serious problem with timely hitting. I believe that to be much more a coaching issue than a player issue, but it is still a problem.