As the calendar flips to a new year, the college athletics calendar shifts away from football and puts a full emphasis on basketball.
However, when February comes around, it’s time to start looking at baseball and softball in the college landscape.
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the diamond sports have a unique tradition of excellence that brings fans into both Russo Park and Lamson Park every night there’s a game.
For Gerry Glasco’s team in 2024, the expectations may just be the highest he’s seen since taking the program over in 2017. The Louisiana softball program is coming off its first Super Regional appearance under Glasco while only having three seniors on the roster.
Now, with key players back at several positions, the expectations are advancing to Oklahoma City to play in the Women’s College World Series. For a program that has won 40+ games in each of the last 24 seasons, the success and tradition is certainly there, but can this group get back to OKC for the first time in 10 years?
“Yeah, we’ve practiced right at three weeks now,” Glasco said at his Media Day availability. “We’re trying to get the girls ready to go, and at the same time, minimize the risk for injury. There’s been a lot of fun and it’s been a great month so far. It’s an extremely talented team. The biggest difference for me as a coach is the maturity level of the kids, they’re sophomores, juniors, seniors now instead of freshmen and sophomores and we just feel like a more mature veteran ballclub.”
Even with young talent from a year ago, there’s still a lot to replace with the departure of Karly Heath from the offense. Last season’s Sun Belt Player of the Year was a critical piece of the puzzle down the stretch, including coming up with big hits in the Baton Rouge Regional. Now, the key contributors will be Lauren Allred, Sophie Piskos, Mihyia Davis, and Jourdyn Campbell.
Allred, a sophomore from Texarkana, Texas, had a strong freshman season last year, batting .375 for the year while leading the team with 47 runs batted in. Allred was also a defensive anchor at first base for the Cajuns for most of the season. Now, Allred will look to take another step forward during her sophomore campaign as one of the leaders of the programs.
“Lauren came into the program as an unranked recruit,” Glasco said about his first baseman on the In The Circle Podcast. “Her physical bill was very good. She’s increased her running speed from 3.1 to 2.78, worked hard in the weight room, and increased her athleticism. She came in and went to work. In the fall of 2022, she hit .152 in the fall, and .194 in January, February, and preseason, but when I put her in, she was five for her first 11 with two or three home runs, I think. So I literally drive into my office on a Monday morning after that and thinking ‘How did I miss that kid? What was I looking at?’
Joining Allred for the 2024 season is preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year Mihyia Davis, who led the country in stolen bases last season with 53. Also a freshman starter for the Cajuns, she made diving catches in center field that many would argue saved Louisiana’s season, including a diving grab at the wall against LSU in the regional.
In addition to that offensive production, the Cajuns also return Sam Landry in the circle as the junior has been critical for this program. For her career, she carries a 39-9 record with a 2.14 ERA and 295 total strikeouts.
Newcomers include Lexie Delbrey from Florida, Brooke Ellestad from St. Thomas, Denali Loecker from Iowa, Sam Ryan from Chattanooga State, and Sam Roe from Florida as well as several freshmen.
In total, six players have been named to the Preseason All Sun-Belt team, the most in the conference. The Sun Belt won’t be a pushover in 2024 either, with Texas State, Troy, Marshall, and others all gunning for Louisiana’s crown.
When you look at the talent this team returns with the additions of Hunter Veach and Shellie Landry to the coaching staff, it’s hard to not feel good about where this group is headed in 2024. The schedule also sets them up for great success with Cal, Baylor, Texas, McNeese, LSU, and the defending national champion Oklahoma Sooners all on the slate for the 2024 season.
Some may say that the expectations are too high, but expectations are also a product of your success. The Cajuns have a ton of talent back with a young core and a great coaching staff, so there’s no reason to believe that Louisiana will continue the streak of making it to the postseason and winning 40+ games. In my opinion, this year’s Cajuns softball team is well equipped to host a regional at a minimum, with the lofty goal of being one of the final eight teams standing in the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City this summer.
The road to destiny begins next Thursday at Lamson Park with the 38th Annual Louisiana Classics tournament. The Cajuns will host UT-Chattanooga at 6:00 p.m.
Matt Miguez is the host of the Miguez Mindset Podcast on ESPN Southwest Louisiana’s YouTube Channel. He is also a digital contributor for ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.