ULM Softball Positioned To Take Next Step in 2023

Softball Feb 01

By ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist Paul Letlow

Not even a cold and rainy day can dampen the spirits of the ULM softball team these days. With their new Stangier-Young Leadership Center serving as headquarters, a fresh turf field that allows them to keep playing through inclement weather conditions and a roster packed with returning talent, ULM softball is poised to make its own splash in 2023. "It's created more pride within our program," fifth-year head coach Molly Fichtner said of the most recent facility improvements. "This is our place and we're excited to practice." Witness the scene as preseason practice began for the Warhawks in January. A heavy rain was falling as Fichtner sent her players out onto the field for the first time. "They kind of looked at me funny but I told them we were good," she said. "It's going to drain and we'll be fine. They went out there and you would have thought it was the best day of their life. We had probably one of the most productive practices during that hour and a half of pouring rain." The leadership center is a $1.5 million investment in the program that is already paying dividends in preparation, team bonding and recruiting. The 6,000-square-foot softball mecca features a new locker room, theatre-style film room, tutoring center, players' lounge and nutrition bar. "What it has provided us is the opportunity to be better than we've ever been," Fichtner said. "Between the film room to scout opponents to the bullpen that's covered so our pitchers can always be productive in practice, it's worked out really well." In an era of instability on college rosters everywhere, ULM returns every player but one from a 2022 squad that finished 27-27 overall, 10-17 in the Sun Belt Conference. "It's a testament to how awesome our coaches are and the environment on and off the field," said first baseman Kennedy Johnson. "I think that's the reason that we're all back. … We felt like our job wasn't finished yet." Added second baseman Alexis Chavez: "This is a game built on consistency. The more you're able to be with the same teammates, the same culture and not have to instill it, it's really nice. It's a culture that's already built and you don't have to start from square one again. It's nice to be able to get here and hit the ground running." The expectation is for ULM to continue ascending. "We were at .500, which is great, but we also lost like a dozen games by one run," Fichtner said. "A lack of experience got to us. Making bad decisions, giving the ball up. We were honestly two games away from being in the top of our conference last year and kind of blew it.

"For the most part, we're definitely there. We just have to get everybody going in the right direction." Even with all the returning talent plus key newcomers, ULM has the desirable option to mix and match lineups. "This fall, we played eight games and in those eight games, every single lineup changed," Fictner said. "People played multiple positions and we had one error in eight games. Everybody performed defensively, so I think it will truly come down to hitting." At first base ULM brings back Johnson, a fifth-year player in the program who led the Warhawks and ranked 12th in the SBC in batting average at .342. "She's been a really big bat for us the past couple of years and she was all-conference for us last year," Fichtner said. "We expect big things from her. She's probably the most consistent hitter we've had the past couple years. Doesn't get too high or too low. Just plays ball." A First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection, Johnson tied for second in the SBC with 14 doubles, led her team with 31 RBIs and ranked third at ULM with 50 hits. At second base, Chavez was a Second-Team All-Sun Belt selection in 2022 after starting 49 of 52 games. She batted .335 with 52 hits. "Lex does really, really well there," Fichtner said. "She's a lefty in the box and was our two-hole hitter for most of last year. We've also got Andie Edwards and Madelyn England out there battling with her every single day." At shortstop, Madelyn Fletcher is returning along with Campbell Selman, a transfer from Baylor and Jacelyn Buck. "Too be honest, I'm not really sure yet who's got the role at short," Fichtner said. Third base has several contenders including Buck, Ashlan Ard, Emelie Price and Taylor Broddick. "We've got a lot of people working at that corner," Fichtner said. "We'll see who gets hot at the right time." Speedy outfielder Lourdes Bacon, who started all 54 games in 2022 as a transfer from UTSA, is back in center but has also seen some time in left. Bacon, another Second-Team All-Sun Belt selection, finished second on the team in hitting at .337 and led ULM with 18 stolen bases. Gabby Davila returns in left field while Korie Krepps is back in right field. Kennedy Paige is working out in center and left. Pitching depth shapes up as a strength as well for this team. "That's probably one of the most exciting things moving forward," Fichtner said. "The facility that we just built is all centered around the pitchers. You've got your bullpen and the facility works around it." Gianni Hulett redshirted last year after making 35 appearances in 2021. She rejoins a rotation that includes sophomores Victoria Abrams (7-10. 3.50) and Kinsey Kackley 9-9, 2.86), who both pitched a lot as freshmen. "When you return sophomores, now they've got experience and they understand how it works," Fichtner said. "It's just an exciting time." Adrianna Chavarria (6-6, 2.94) is a fifth-year pitcher with big-game experience while Kassidy Giddens (2.55, 4-0) has been in the program a few years and has been throwing "exceptionally well." Additionally, freshman pitcher Maddie Nichols from West Monroe (Louisiana) High School has impressed since arriving on campus. "The days of NCAA Division I softball living off one arm are gone," Fichtner said. "Hitting has gotten so good that this year we might use three pitchers in a game or we might use all six. Whatever it takes to get that win." The 2023 season starts at home with the Best on the Bayou Classic Feb. 10-12. ULM scheduled 27 home games including non-conference visits from NCAA Super Regional contender Mississippi State and NCAA Regional participants LSU, McNeese State and Louisiana Tech. "It's going to be interesting to see how the year unfolds," Fichtner said. "This is the most excited I've been as a coach here, with the players we've got, with the talent we have returning and the experience we have moving forward."

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ULM Softball Positioned To Take Next Step in 2023