UL softball coach encouraged by challenging offseason in transfer portal
Kevin Foote
Aug 17, 2026
As soon as the UL softball season ended in the Sun Belt Tournament, it was no secret how important the offseason would be for coach Alyson Habetz and her Ragin’ Cajuns.
With the recruiting part of the offseason behind her, Habetz is happy about what was achieved.
“I’m very pleased,” she said. “The portal recruiting was challenging at times, but at the end of the day, I’m really pleased with who we have, and I’m really excited about seeing everyone come together.”
Habetz added Florida State redshirt freshman catcher Danika Spinogatti, South Carolina sophomore pitcher KG Favors and Texas Tech sophomore third baseman Angelyna Conde, in addition to adding freshman Candice Puig from Whittier, California.
“We now have 10 returnees and 10 newbies on the roster, so it’s going to be fun,” Habetz said.
Naturally, it starts in the circle in college softball. So where exactly does UL stand with its pitching staff?
Can Favors become the ace pitcher the fan base was hoping to find? Time will tell, but Habetz is happy with the early results.
“Yes, pitching is always a question mark,” She said. “I think they’re all going to add something different to the table.”
Favors was a high school player from Orange Beach, Alabama, whom Habetz knew from her days as an assistant coach at Alabama.
“She would come to all of our camps, and she was a phenom,” Habetz said. "I mean, she was young when she was the No. 1 player in the country on Extra Inning softball. I mean, she was all the things and just an athlete. She brings the velo. She could probably get it up to 69 or 70.
“She can throw it hard, and she can hit. She didn’t hit it at South Carolina, but I remember watching her and she can hit it. She was a three-time state champion and three-time MVP. So she’s got a lot of tools.”
Favors is expected to contend for a spot in the weekend rotation, while Puig arrives in Lafayette as a true freshman.
“There’s always an adjustment, and every freshman handles it differently,” Habetz said. "What she does have going for is she has some velo. I think she can get up to about 65. I think that’s going to be beneficial and when we watched her, she threw a lot of strikes.
“And she was a pitcher. She kind of understands the whole pitching game… how to nibble and then how to come back in the strike zone.”
Favors and Puig will be joined by returnees Sage Hoover, a senior, and sophomore Bailey Mackles, as well as true freshman Emily Adams of Dothan, Alabama.
“Sage obviously did a lot of great things last year,” Habetz said. “She comes back with the most experience and most confidence, but I’m really looking forward to see Bailey in the fall. She’s been working all summer and gotten her velo up.”
Spinogatti was cleared by doctors earlier this month after missing all of last season in Tallahassee with a knee injury. With her coming in at catcher and Conde at third, the plan is to move Kennedy Marceaux and Brooke Otto to the outfield next season.
“I think Kennedy can play anywhere,” Habetz said. "I just think she’s more comfortable and free in the outfield. Even at third base, you’re constantly in the middle of it.
“Danika’s been doing a lot of rehab. Obviously catching is a little bit different, because of all the up and down, but I definitely think she’s a tough kid.”