The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns women’s softball team split wins in both their matchups last weekend, going 2–2 in their Spring Break Showdown.
In Tuscaloosa, AL, the Cajuns faced the Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 21-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in a pair of doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday, Mar. 7-8.
These wins put the Cajuns at a 13–9 overall record and proved the team has the firepower and pitching prowess to compete with the best teams in the Sun Belt.
In a press conference held Feb. 24, Head Coach Alyson Habetz talked about what she needed from the team coming into high-level competition in the stretch before conference play.
“You’re gonna have some doubleheaders, so you’re gonna need some depth in the pitching staff, and hopefully the ability just to attack the pitching zone and not give up any freebies. That’s the main thing,” Habetz said.
When asked about the relationships among the players and the leadership of the team, Habetz expressed her confidence in the group and shared how she has empowered the seniors to lead.
“We’ve had some great leadership, even from new ones like Tyra [Clary] and Savannah [White] have stepped up, but like Laney [Credeur] talking after a practice this past week, she kinda held some players accountable,” Habetz said.
“I talked to her after. She said, ‘It was a little uncomfortable, but it actually felt good after I did it,’ so them embracing that role and knowing that teammates are gonna respect them because they have already earned that respect.”
Habetz also spoke about what she expected from the Alabama crowd as she had served as associate head coach for the Tide until 2023.
“After being in Alabama for 25 years… just being with the Ragin’ Cajuns is gonna be a little different feel probably. Moreso, they’ll have a different feel about us when I’m in a different shade of red.”
“But still, it’s gonna be a challenge, it’s gonna be a great opportunity for our team just to be in an SEC home at their facility and to be able to play in front of those crowds.”
“Of course, going to Alabama will be probably emotional for me. It’s my home away from home, and had been for 25 years, so I’m looking forward to that.”
She also had great things to say about freshman Gabbie Stutes, who had played her way into the rotation at right field against Houston on Feb. 22.
“Gabbie Stutes, I can’t say enough great things about her. She hadn’t played the outfield probably for a little while, and we pretty much did a crash course on outfield this week and she was out there and did great. Just a great team player,” Habetz said.
In both losses Friday, the Cajuns struggled against the opposing pitching, only managing a combined eight hits and two earned runs against the starting pitchers in both contests.
Late in the sixth inning against Iowa, down 4–0, the Cajuns would mount a comeback attempt, scoring off both a Sam Roe single and a bases-loaded hit by pitch. Iowa proceeded to call in its relief and shut the Cajuns out in the seventh to end the game 4–2.
Saturday’s outings, by comparison, were gold mines on offense.
That’s not to discount the pitching: Freshman Mallory Wheeler drew the start against Iowa, and proceeded to throw a shut-out, recording four strikeouts in the process.
The Cajuns got in scoring position early, sacrifice bunting in center fielder Maddie Hayden in the first inning. Hayden showed up again on offense next inning, singling to bring in another run.
Junior Erin Ardoin put the final run on the board with a triple deep to center field for a bit more insurance, 3–0.
Against the Crimson Tide, things almost got away from Cajuns senior pitcher Tyra Clary, as she allowed two early runs.
She would right the ship, though, coaxing five ground balls and a strikeout through the next five innings.
Hayden, Cecilia Vasquez and Kayla Falterman made sure scoring positions didn’t go to waste for the Cajuns, combining for four RBI across the third, fourth and sixth innings.
It was in the sixth that the Cajuns, in a bad spot due to a hit by pitch, struck out a full-count batter and turned a clean double play to carry their 4–2 lead into the seventh. The Tide managed to load the bases in the seventh, but only managed to score one more run on a fielding error, and a comebacker groundout secured the Cajuns win.
Next up for the team is a trip to Huntington, W.Va for the beginning of conference play against the Marshall Thundering Herd on Friday and Saturday, Mar. 24-25.