The news of pitching coach Justin Robichaux leaving UL softball to become the St. Thomas More baseball coach will force coach Gerry Glasco to fill a big hole on the coaching staff.
Glasco still will have a less hectic summer than most softball coaches around the country. In an era of constant change, UL softball has had very little of it since being eliminated by Baylor in the Lafayette regional finals.
Only one player has entered the transfer portal in reserve outfielder Samantha Graeter, and the rest of the coaching staff appears to be coming back.
“I’m super excited for Justin,” Glasco said.
Glasco shocked many in the softball world when he hired Robichaux, who mainly had a baseball background, as his pitching coach three seasons ago. Over Robichaux's first two seasons, the UL pitching staff ranked top five nationally in strikeouts, eclipsing the 500-strikeout plateau in his first season of 2022.
UL pitchers were also top 25 in ERA and limited opposing hitters to under a .200 batting average both seasons.
This past season, the team’s emphasis switched to defense with fewer seasoned strikeout pitchers in the fold. Still, junior right-hander Sam Landry earned first-team all-Sun Belt recognition and sophomore southpaw Chloe Riassetto was a second-team selection.
“Justin did a great job for us,” Glasco said. “Everything I wanted Justin to do, he did. He gave the kids a great mentor. He conducted himself so well. He’s just a special guy.”
Glasco said the search to replace Robichaux is underway.
Glasco is content with the returning arms, although he didn’t rule out adding one more pitcher in the transfer portal.
“I think we do have enough pitching as it currently stands,” Glasco said. “I’m thrilled with Sam and Chloe and the progress both made this past season.”
No matter who the new pitching coach is, there will be an emphasis in the fall for Riassetto to add a changeup after her use of a rise ball escalated late last season.
Glasco also said 6-foot-1 true freshman Mallory Wheeler will join the staff from Jensen Beach, Florida. There’s no way to know how quickly a freshman will adjust to the Division I level, but Glasco is expecting to get a good look at Wheeler.
“She won’t be our ace by any means, but we’re going to want to get her innings and get her experience to try to develop her, kind of like Chloe last year,” Glasco said. “She’s definitely going to have to get time on the field to have a chance to make an impact her sophomore season.”
UL also hasn’t given up on Sam Ryan, who struggled in her first season at the Division I level in 2024. But Ryan had the staff’s lowest ERA in the fall a year ago.
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” Glasco said. “When she got in games, she just didn’t locate the ball like she did against our hitters in the fall. In scrimmages, man she just had pinpoint control. I mean she would just put the ball right on the corner, right under the elbow inside — perfect control.”
Lexie Delbrey continues to try to solve her medical obstacles since transferring from Florida, but she did deliver several encouraging performances down the stretch last season.
As for the everyday lineup, it’s possible it will return almost intact.
The most likely change is in right field. There are multiple options, including incoming freshmen.
In addition to Wheeler in the circle, the two freshman likely to contend for playing time are Lily Knox from California and Emily Smith from Texas. Knox has experience at third base and the outfield.
“I look at her as a right-handed Brooke Ellestad who probably runs a little faster,” Glasco said of Knox. “When we put the uniforms on, she’s going to be one of the best-looking athletes on the entire field.”
Smith may flash the most raw power on the roster next season.
“Emily can hit the ball with Taylor Roman power,” Glasco said. “If she ends up starting, she’ll lead our team in homers. She’s a monster.”