BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Denali Loecker stepped onto her much-anticipated postseason stage and created a home run moment.
Literally.
Loecker, a seldom-used Louisiana senior transfer, stepped into a third-inning pitch and delivered a two-out, three-run homer that highlighted the Cajuns’ 8-0 victory over Princeton in the opening game of an NCAA regional softball playoff game Friday afternoon at Lamson Park.
The former Iowa University standout also became the winning pitcher after tossing two complete innings of no-hit, shutout relief.
Louisiana head softball coach Gerry Glasco said Loecker could have transferred to other Division 1 programs, but Loecker, who batted only 31 other times this season, chose to play in Lafayette.
“(Loecker) could have gone anywhere, but she chose to come (to Louisiana) and play in a regional tournament and be part of this,” Glasco said following the win cut short to five innings.
In order to help her experience the postseason ambiance, Glasco reminded Loecker about the impending situation before she walked to the plate in the third inning.
“(Glasco) reminded me at the time that there were two outs and he wanted to see how I would respond to the pressure,” Loecker said.
Glasco said he made a promise to Loecker that she would experience sufficient playing time in 2024, but scheduling difficulties prevented him from delivering on that recruiting promise.
Loecker said her travel ball coach recommended that she should consider playing for the Cajuns instead of transferring to another school.
“I was told that this would be the place where I should go and that Coach Glasco would really push me and that I would get to play in the postseason,” Loecker said during the postgame press conference.
The Cajuns took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning off three hits that included a Victoria Valdez triple and a Sam Roe double.
Two innings later Loecker came to the plate with Vladez and Brooke Ellestad on base after they were walked by reliever Molly Chambers.
The Loecker homer – her second this season – slapped the top of the wall in left center.
Princeton was limited to two hits. The Wildcats launched a serious scoring threat only once. In the second inning after designated player Karis Ford singled and reached third on a pair of fielder’s choices with no outs.
Loecker entered the game at that point and the Princeton rally ended with a pair of ground outs and a line drive caught by Ellestad at third.
Glasco rotated four pitchers, including two separate appearances by starter Chloe Riassetto.
The rotating pitching circle was by design, Glasco said.
“We played a clean game with no errors. We were just trying to get in as many kids in order to help them get comfortable playing in a regional,” said Glasco.
