Building Depth Through the Portal
Louisiana’s baseball program entered the 2026 season with high hopes, ultimately falling in the Starkville Regional final, but the experience left coach Matt Deggs convinced the Ragin' Cajuns are ready to push further in the 2027 NCAA Tournament.
Deggs praised the team’s resilience throughout a challenging year, noting that the postseason exposed a shortage of pitching depth that the staff has moved quickly to remedy.
The solution arrived via the transfer portal, with several experienced arms joining the staff after following pitching coach Taylor Sandefur from Marshall University. Their arrival is expected to bolster a rotation that previously ran out of options late in the season.
Alongside the pitching upgrades, the Cajuns retained key freshmen such as Noah Lewis, Sawyer Pruitt, Colt Brown and Blaze Rodriguez, while also welcoming standout hitter Manny Salas, a former Texas State standout celebrated for his disciplined approach at the plate.
The roster also adds freshmen Evan Vincent and Myles LeDoux, who could provide immediate contributions, reflecting a broader philosophy of prioritizing ready‑to‑play talent over long‑term development.