Louisiana
Louisiana softball searching for consistency as Sun Belt play continues
WACTH: Louisiana softball HC Alyson Habetz talks tourney play, LSU loss
Hear from UL softball HC Alyson Habetz following a 4-2 week plus an extra innings 2-1 loss vs No. 17 LSU.
Louisiana softball didn’t have the start it hoped for in Sun Belt Conference play, suffering its first series loss of the season.
The Ragin’ Cajuns (17-12, 1-2) traveled to Southern Mississippi and were outscored 16-11 in the series, losing one of the three games in run-rule fashion.
“Definitely not what we anticipated, definitely not the standard of Ragin’ Cajun softball,” UL softball coach Alyson Habetz said. “It needs to get better and that starts with me, so we plan to do that and that’s the goal, is to get better.”
On the bright side, the Cajuns’ lone win from the series was a run-rule victory, beating the Golden Eagles 9-1. They’ll look to have that kind of performance in their return to Lamson Park for their second SBC series vs. Texas State, which starts at 6 p.m. March 20.
Louisiana softball looking for some consistency
A big issue for the Cajuns in the series against Southern Miss was their inconsistency in the circle and on defense. They finished the weekend with three errors, the biggest coming in their first game on a pop fly that led to a 6-1 loss on March 13.
“I think it’s just a lack of communication,” Habetz said of the miscue. “I don’t think it’s a mental thing because I think we cleaned it up the next few days, but those things can’t happen. The six runs we gave up on pop ups, that can’t happen.”
Outside of fielding errors, UL’s pitching staff didn’t have the strongest outing against the Golden Eagles. The Cajuns’ best arm was senior Bethaney Noble, who took home the dub in the second game of the series after four innings of work. Noble’s ability to get outs and timely strikeouts will be key against the Bobcats as she serves as a starter and relief pitcher.
Along with Noble, Habetz and her pitching staff will rely on Sage Hoover for more consistency. She leads the staff in strikeouts with 40 on the season but holds a 4-5 record overall on the mound following the SBC opener.
“I believe in all of our pitchers. I believe Bethaney and Sage are the most consistent at throwing strikes, attacking the strike zone,” Habetz said. “I feel like (opponents) watch more film on Sage, anticipating that they’re going to see her and I think hitters are more prepared for Sage. But we also have to play defense too and we have to catch fly balls.”
Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on X, formerly known as Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.