A Season of Highs and Lows

Louisiana’s 2025 baseball season was a rollercoaster of fleeting highs and crushing lows. Nowhere was this more evident than in the final game of the year – a wild 17-13 slugfest loss to Marshall in the Sun Belt Tournament. The Ragin’ Cajuns exploded for 17 hits and led 3-0 early, showing their explosive potential, but a flurry of defensive miscues and shaky pitching saw the lead – and the season – slip away. That defeat in Montgomery sealed a 27-31 record and marked the first time since 2021 that Louisiana missed out on an NCAA Regional berth. It was a bitter end that starkly contrasted with the optimism that surrounded the program just a year prior, when the Cajuns were coming off a 42-win campaign and a conference title run in 2024.

To understand the disappointment of 2025, consider the context: under head coach Matt Deggs, Louisiana had back-to-back 40-win seasons in 2023 and 2024 and was regaining national prominence. In 2024, the Cajuns boasted the Sun Belt’s best team ERA (4.48) and batting average (.301), and in 2023 they set a school record with a .982 fielding percentage (while even knocking off the eventual national champion LSU during the season). Fast forward to 2025 and those strengths became weaknesses: the team ERA ballooned to 5.42 – the program’s worst since at least 2002, and the defense committed 76 errors with a .963 fielding percentage, its lowest in recent memory. In short, the fundamentals that used to be Louisiana’s pride turned into costly liabilities, setting the stage for an inconsistent season.

Bright Spots in a Dim Year

Despite the losing record, a few individual performances shone brightly and provided hope for the future. Chief among them was redshirt senior Conor Higgs, who led the Cajun offense with a .346 batting average and 16 home runs. Higgs was the one constant in an up-and-down lineup, often jump-starting the offense from the leadoff spot. In what turned out to be his final game in a Louisiana uniform, Higgs went 5-for-6 and scored four runs – an inspired effort emblematic of his season-long leadership. Head coach Matt Deggs has spoken of Higgs with deep affection (“Higgs is like a nephew…,” Deggs remarked of the senior’s place in the program), and Higgs’ graduation leaves a big void both in production and clubhouse presence.

Another standout was junior outfielder Luke “Donkey” Yuhasz, who emerged as a clutch run-producer even through injuries. Yuhasz battled through a late-season shoulder scare, but not before “playing a good brand of baseball, really starting to come into his own,” according to Deggs. He delivered several multi-hit games down the stretch and capped his year with a two-run homer as part of a 4-for-6, 3 RBI performance in the tournament elimination slugfest. Yuhasz’s power (7 home runs) and emotional spark — he’s a fan favorite with an infectious energy — were rare bright spots. Assuming he returns for his senior season at full strength, Yuhasz projects as a cornerstone to build around, and his continued development could anchor the lineup in 2026.

Behind the plate, Jose Torres provided veteran leadership and steady defense. The senior catcher (a transfer who became an instant fan favorite in 2024) had another solid year handling a young pitching staff. Torres’ offensive numbers were modest, but his value went beyond the stat sheet – managing pitchers, controlling the running game, and setting the tone with his work ethic. In fact, Torres was honored as a finalist for the inaugural Tony Gwynn Trophy for his leadership and community service. Now the big question is whether this beloved Cajun will return for another year. Torres does have an extra year of eligibility available, and Deggs hinted that a few seniors “are expected to return due to COVID eligibility extensions”. A Torres comeback would be a huge boost to both the locker room and on-field stability, but as of now, fans can only cross their fingers that they haven’t seen the last of #47 in Vermilion and White.

On the mound, inconsistency reigned, but a few arms showed promise. Sophomore lefty Chase Morgan pitched through pain for most of the season, but managed a 4-3 record with a 3.52 ERA. A lack of run support and nagging injuries plagued Morgan in 2025, but despite that he still anchored the pitching staff on Friday nights, striking out 74 batters this season.  J.R. Tollett also stepped up this season and secured his role as a solid Sunday starter for the Cajuns, posting a 6-4 record and team leading 3.51 ERA with 63 strikeouts and only 12 walks. The bullpen, while showing promise at times, was another concerning group that was often feast-or-famine. Developing pitching talent will be a top priority for the coaching staff moving forward.

Inconsistency and a Leadership Void

If one theme defined the 2025 Cajuns, it was inconsistency. This team could look like world-beaters one day and utterly flat the next. For example, Louisiana notched an impressive early-season win over No. 21 Dallas Baptist, won a series against then-ranked Nebraska, and even led the Sun Belt in stolen bases (93 swipes) with its trademark aggressive offense. Yet those positives were negated by head-scratching losses, such as a pair of midweek defeats to in-state rival McNeese State (including a 3-0 shutout loss in Lake Charles). Time and again, the Cajuns failed to carry momentum from one game to the next. They swept  James Madison and Georgia State, only to get swept themselves  later in a rain-soaked set at Southern Miss. After that Southern Miss series, Deggs didn’t mince words: “We did not help ourselves… They didn’t need any help, but we kind of pushed it along with some miscues,” he said of his team’s error-prone play in Hattiesburg. It was a candid admission that Louisiana often beat itself with costly mistakes.

Part of the issue was an apparent lack of veteran leadership in the clubhouse. The previous year’s squad was led by battle-tested stars (like All-American Kyle DeBarge and others from the 2023–24 run) who set a high standard. In 2025, the Cajuns’ roster was retooled with many newcomers and underclassmen playing key roles. While seniors like Higgs and Torres led by example, the team struggled to find a unifying voice when adversity struck. That void was evident during the rough patches – when losing skids or mid-game collapses occurred, there wasn’t always an emotional leader to steady the ship. Deggs hinted at this intangible shortcoming through the year; after one tough series, he described a “very quiet, solemn bus” ride home and noted the team had to refocus quickly to stop the bleeding. In many ways, the Cajuns were searching for an identity and a spark that never consistently materialized. The result was a yo-yo season defined by erratic play – terrific one night and frustrating the next – ultimately landing the team just two games above .500 in regular season conference play (16-14) and well short of a NCAA tournament bid.

The statistical swings underscore that inconsistency. Offensively, Louisiana showed potential by scoring 10 or more runs 11 times, yet they were just as likely to go cold – they scored 3 or fewer runs in 15 games, often stranding piles of runners. Their .259 team batting average was serviceable, but timely hitting was lacking. On multiple occasions the Cajuns left double-digit men on base in close games, exemplified by the finale against Marshall where 10 runners were left stranded. “Clutch” hits were few and far between, a stark contrast to 2024 when Louisiana was one of the nation’s top offensive teams. Pitching, meanwhile, oscillated between decent and disastrous. The staff actually opened conference play strong – for instance, they shut out James Madison 3-0 to complete a sweep in March – but too often the bullpen couldn’t hold leads. Walks and hit batters would pile up, and one error would snowball into a big inning. That Sun Belt Tournament loss to Marshall encapsulated it: Louisiana allowed five unearned runs in one inning thanks to defensive errors, a breakdown that turned a 3-1 lead into an 11-3 hole. These kinds of self-inflicted wounds haunted the Cajuns all season. As Coach Deggs put it bluntly, “Ugly weather [or any other factor]… no excuses in this business. It’s either do or you don’t, and we didn’t find a way to get it done”.

A Historic Downturn by the Numbers

In a program with the proud history of Louisiana baseball, the 2025 season will unfortunately be remembered for some historically poor metrics. The pitching staff’s 5.42 ERA was the highest recorded by the Ragin’ Cajuns this century – worse than even the rough 2008–09 years and a stark regression from just one year ago, when they led the Sun Belt with a 4.48 ERA. Similarly, the defense’s 76 errors and .963 fielding percentage made 2025 one of the worst defensive seasons in recent memory. It’s jarring to recall that in 2023 Louisiana set a school record with that .982 fielding percentage, committing under 50 errors all year. Two years later, that defensive efficiency completely unraveled – the Cajuns booted the ball at an alarming rate, often in critical moments, directly costing them games. Under legendary former coach Tony Robichaux, Louisiana was long known for its pitching-and-defense prowess. Coach Deggs carried that torch in 2022–24, even winning a Sun Belt title in 2022 behind strong arms and solid gloves. But in 2025, that identity disappeared: the fundamentals failed the Cajuns, and the statistics underscore just how aberrant the drop-off was. For a fan base used to elite execution, seeing routine plays turn into errors and big innings for the opponent was both unfamiliar and frustrating.

Offensively, the numbers also tell a story of decline. The Cajuns hit 41 home runs as a team in 2025 – barely half of the 80 long balls they launched the year prior – reflecting a loss of firepower in the lineup. Indeed, Louisiana was adjusting to life without several middle-of-the-order bats who had moved on (the 2024 squad was led by sluggers like DeBarge and Trey LaFleur). In 2025, only Higgs reached double-digit homers (16), and only one other player, sophomore infielder Connor Cuff, topped 5 home runs. Cuff and fellow sophomore Drew Markle showed flashes of pop (each had a 5-RBI game during the season), but the consistent thump just wasn’t there. The team’s run production of 312 runs was the lowest for a Cajun club since 2018, and it often felt like they were one hit away in many close losses. In sum, by virtually every metric – pitching, defense, hitting – the 2025 Ragin’ Cajuns fell well short of the standards they set in recent seasons. It was a humbling statistical downturn that highlighted the need for introspection and changes going forward.

Questions Looming This Offseason

As Louisiana turns the page on 2025, the program faces some pivotal offseason questions and decisions. Foremost is how to address the roster in the era of the transfer portal. After a disappointing year, will key players look to leave for other opportunities? In modern college baseball, it’s not uncommon to see turnover when expectations aren’t met. Cajun fans will be anxiously watching the portal in the coming weeks. Standout underclassmen like Luke Yuhasz and Chase Morgan, for instance, could draw outside interest, though there is no indication yet anyone is jumping ship. On the flip side, Deggs may use the portal aggressively to bring in veteran reinforcements. Last year, Louisiana reloaded with transfers (Torres from junior college, plus others) to great effect. This year’s results might prompt an even greater emphasis on experienced newcomers, especially to shore up weak spots like the bullpen and infield defense. The question is: Will Louisiana rebuild with seasoned transfer talent, or stick with the young core and let them grow? It’s a delicate balance. Developing the promising sophomores and freshmen who showed flashes – players like Markle, Cuff, Brooks Wright, Owen Galt and Blaine Lucas – could pay dividends if they take the next step. But patience is hard to come by for a proud program and passionate fan base used to competing for titles.

Another major decision revolves around the beloved Jose Torres. The Panamanian catcher has become the heart and soul of the team in just two seasons, and fans would love nothing more than for Torres to don the gear at “The Tigue” for one more year. Torres has an extra year of eligibility thanks to the 2020 COVID waiver, but will he use it? The allure of beginning a pro career or moving on with life after college could sway him to depart. Yet if Torres returns, he instantly gives Louisiana a proven leader to help steer the 2026 squad back on course. His presence would especially help in grooming a young pitching staff and correcting some of the communication breakdowns that plagued the defense this year. Coach Deggs has openly acknowledged how much this senior class means to him and the program. If Torres joins the list of returnees, it would answer one huge offseason question affirmatively.

Beyond personnel moves, the coaching staff itself faces a mandate to get fundamental issues fixed. The list of repairs is not short. First, the bullpen woes must be addressed – whether through recruiting power arms or redefining roles, Louisiana needs a reliable closer and setup crew to avoid the late-inning meltdowns that were all too common. Second, the offense needs to rediscover its knack for clutch hitting. The Cajuns hit just .250 with runners in scoring position and too often failed to execute situationally – expect Deggs to drill situational hitting all fall long. Third, the team’s trademark aggressive style on the basepaths needs fine-tuning. The Cajuns did steal 93 bases (tops in the Sun Belt), showcasing the “pressure offense” Deggs preaches, but they also ran into outs and made baserunning blunders at inopportune times. It’s a risk-reward approach that backfired in 2025, so improving base-running IQ will be key to turning those 50/50 plays into advantages rather than rally-killers. Lastly, and most glaringly, the fielding must improve. 76 errors are simply unacceptable for a program of this caliber. Better defensive focus, whether via new talent or better preparation, is non-negotiable. The coaching staff might look at everything from changes in pregame routines, emphasizing fundamentals in practice, or even staff adjustments to get the defense back on track. As Deggs often says, “there are no excuses” – it’s on the coaches and players to put in the work to ensure 2025’s mistakes are not repeated.

Turning the Page to 2026

Even after such a tough season, there remains a sense of cautious optimism in Lafayette. This is, after all, a program with a rich tradition and recent success – the foundation isn’t crumbling, it just developed some cracks that need patching. Athletic director Dr. Bryan Maggard and the Ragin’ Cajuns faithful will expect a quick rebound, and Coach Deggs, known for his fiery and relentless style, will no doubt attack this challenge head-on. The talent cupboard is not bare: the lineup could return six to seven regulars, including some with star potential, and the pitching staff will get injured arms back in the mix. If the right additions are made and the current group takes a step forward in maturity, Louisiana could look dramatically different come next spring. The Sun Belt Conference, which sent four teams to regionals in 2024 and remains highly competitive, will not wait for the Cajuns to catch up – Louisiana must elevate its game to reclaim its spot near the top of the league.

As fall workouts loom, the unanswered questions hang in the humid Louisiana air. Will the Cajuns reload or rebuild? Who will rise as a locker-room leader? Can the pitching staff find its swagger again, and will the defense refocus on the little things that win ballgames? These are the storylines that will define the offseason. One thing is certain: the 2025 season, painful as it was, can also serve as fuel. In the aftermath of the final loss, Coach Deggs emphasized the need to “keep pressing forward”. That forward-looking mantra is already echoing through the halls of Russo Park. The disappointment of 27-31 has sharpened the program’s resolve to never endure a season like that again. Now it’s about answering the tough questions, putting in the work, and rekindling the Ragin’ Cajun spirit of old. The road back begins now, and if Louisiana’s past is any guide, expect this proud program to be playing with a chip on its shoulder in 2026 – determined to prove that 2025 was an aberration, not the new norm.