Softball Offseason

[VObserver]

Losing record does not equate to a B...come on man...
..

In his defense, we did not have a losing record. What we did have was the worst staff ERA in the history of the program, along with a severe drop in run production by returning players. Forget the players who left; those who stayed accounted for 285 runs in 2024 and only 237 runs in 2025; this in spite of a +25 in runs accounted for by Falterman and Vasquez.

If we do not learn to cope with the portal; building a roster for this year and not worrying about next year, we will rapidly go the way of La Tech WBB. That is not acceptable.

[fanof71]

Agree

[du42]

On June 25, 2024, Alyson Habetz was hired as head coach for Louisiana Softball. What follows is my evaluation of her performance in year one. It is my opinion only, based solely upon my analysis of the team's performance this past season and of coach Habetz' performance of her duties as head coach. Feel free to disagree with me, as I am only a fan trying to take an unbiased look at what has transpired in the program over the last year.

Player Retention: C

There is no possible argument that can be made that following 2024, it was imperative that whoever our coach was their #1 priority on day 1 was to re-recruit the quality players on hand. The failure to keep Sam Landry and Brooke Ellestad, both of whom were still with us on June 25, 2024, was a major failure. There is zero doubt that our 2025 season would have looked much different with those two still here. The same principal applies in not retaining Mallory Wheeler this season, though to a lesser degree than the 2024 players.

Portal Recruiting: C -

Neither of our pitchers who portaled in last season had an ERA under 4. None of the position players hit over .290, though Liscano and Ardoin did account for 31 and 27 runs,
and White and Liscano were excellent defensively, and Ardoin was an above average defender as well.

So far this year's portal class is both thin and unproven. Both Marceaux and Manning were high level recruits out of High School, but neither has done anything noteworthy at the D1 level. We are still in need of at least 3 more portal players, a pitcher, a catcher and an outfielder. The catcher and the outfielder must be good defenders and capable of accounting for at least 50 runs each. While there are still quite a few players left in the portal that could help us, every day sees those players becoming fewer and fewer.

Player development: D

Of players on the roster during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, only Kayla Falterman and Cecilia Vasquez showed improvement at the plate year over year, and even that is debatable. Falterman missed much of 2024, so her improved numbers in 2025 are at least partly due to increased opportunities. Vasquez' batting average was essentially flat across the two seasons and her extra base hits dropped from 14 in 2024 to 9 in 2025; but she missed 12 games in 2025 with injuries and still accounted for more runs in 2025 [49] than in 2024 [39].

Literally everyone else went down in runs accounted for year over year; Hayden from 83 in 2024 to 64 in 2025, Roe from 73 to 41, Credeur from 42 to 25 and Williams from 22 to 17.

In the circle, among returning pitchers only Sam Ryan threw even one pitch. Sam went from 18.2 IP in 2024 to 76.1 IP in 2025, and improved both her ERA and her WHIP year over year. None of the portal pitchers showed much improvement over the season.

Among 2025 freshmen, only Emily Smith made a significant impact at the plate, hitting .362 and accounting for 57 runs. The rest were average at best. In the field, Smith made great strides at 1B in her footwork and fielding over the course of the season, Norwood showed to be an adequate backup catcher and Stutes as a reasonably capable backup infielder. Wheeler showed some promise in the circle, but she will not be returning.

Intangibles: B

The players clearly were bought in with Habetz and with each other. They all played hard even in bad losses. This is a very good thing, and something every coach needs; but in the end, the only things that matter are the scoreboard and the standings sheet.

Overall, considering the history and tradition of the program relative to the results last season, I see no way I can assign an overall grade for the last season better than D. Even that may have a bit of vermilion glasses tint to it.

I thank you for the season analysis as you brought stats to back up your arguments. I would not have gone that far but can’t argue the stats. I would give Aly a B for in game coaching. I thought she was better than Glasco as he did a lot of crazy stuff in games. Now, it does not appear that she made any changes to the in coming class which was recruited by Glasco so time will tell. She did make what I think is 2 splash signings in the portal but I agree, she needs a few more. I am aware of only one commit that Aly has from high school for future classes , I may be wrong. I did speak to a softball parent and they mention the need for a male coach on staff. Whoever we get I hope they are not afraid to have a discussion about cutting players that don’t fit this program.

[JMV JustMyView]

I thank you for the season analysis as you brought stats to back up your arguments. I would not have gone that far but can’t argue the stats. I would give Aly a B for in game coaching. I thought she was better than Glasco as he did a lot of crazy stuff in games. Now, it does not appear that she made any changes to the in coming class which was recruited by Glasco so time will tell. She did make what I think is 2 splash signings in the portal but I agree, she needs a few more. I am aware of only one commit that Aly has from high school for future classes , I may be wrong. I did speak to a softball parent and they mention the need for a male coach on staff. Whoever we get I hope they are not afraid to have a discussion about cutting players that don’t fit this program.

We have three verbal commitments for the 2026 class and a male voice with some authority would help. Aly has the only say in cutting players.

[raginrevival]

You do know they did not have a losing record right? come on man.....record was 29-25

[SlickRick]

I thank you for the season analysis as you brought stats to back up your arguments. I would not have gone that far but can’t argue the stats. I would give Aly a B for in game coaching. I thought she was better than Glasco as he did a lot of crazy stuff in games. Now, it does not appear that she made any changes to the in coming class which was recruited by Glasco so time will tell. She did make what I think is 2 splash signings in the portal but I agree, she needs a few more. I am aware of only one commit that Aly has from high school for future classes , I may be wrong. I did speak to a softball parent and they mention the need for a male coach on staff. Whoever we get I hope they are not afraid to have a discussion about cutting players that don’t fit this program.

I agree, Coach Narcissist made a lot of bad calls on base running...but Aly was not very good on third base if you watched the games closely and paid attention to those plays where a stop/go call was needed. Hope she improves there.

[du42]

I agree, Coach Narcissist made a lot of bad calls on base running...but Aly was not very good on third base if you watched the games closely and paid attention to those plays where a stop/go call was needed. Hope she improves there.

I agree, that’s why my grand was not A.

[fanof71]

I stand corrected then...

[CajunT]

In his defense, we did not have a losing record. What we did have was the worst staff ERA in the history of the program, along with a severe drop in run production by returning players. Forget the players who left; those who stayed accounted for 285 runs in 2024 and only 237 runs in 2025; this in spite of a +25 in runs accounted for by Falterman and Vasquez.

If we do not learn to cope with the portal; building a roster for this year and not worrying about next year, we will rapidly go the way of La Tech WBB. That is not acceptable.

If by "Learn to Cope" with the NIL you mean raise more money VO, then you hit the nail on the head. People are concerned and disappointed, but between Softball and Baseball NIL goals, this program is not close.

[MarlinMan3]

Losing record does not equate to a B...come on man...
..

Overall he said D, only B I see is in "Intangibles". Win/Loss record is clearly Tangible