2019 Conference Previews: CUSA
Check out our thoughts on the Conference USA outlook for 2019! Below includes our teams and players to watch, biggest questions, and predictions.
| TEAM | CONFERENCE RECORD | OVERALL RECORD |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic | 15-8 | 30-26 |
| UAB | 15-8-1 | 26-31-1 |
| FIU | 14-8 | 30-25 |
| Louisiana Tech | 15-9 | 34-21 |
| Marshall | 13-9-1 | 25-29-1 |
| Middle Tennessee | 11-11 | 36-22 |
| North Texas | 11-12 | 25-27 |
| WKU | 10-13 | 28-25 |
| UTEP | 10-14 | 21-33 |
| Charlotte | 9-15 | 18-32 |
| UTSA | 8-16 | 20-30 |
| Southern Miss | 8-16 | 19-36 |
Catch up on all of our conference previews here: Big West, Big Ten, CUSA, Atlantic 10, Big Sky, CAA, Summit League, American, ACC.
TEAMS TO WATCH:
UAB
The Blazers what could be considered one of the biggest hires in the off season naming former Oregon assistant, Jimmy Kolaitis, the next leader of the program. While UAB graduted a large senior class it also welcomes in many freshmen and picked up a number of key transfers during the summer. Keep an eye on UAB in its first season under Coach Kolaitis to see what they do.
LOUISIANA TECH
A squad that has had a lot of success and talent players, La Tech imploded at the end of the 2018 campaign and lost its footing atop the CUSA. However, La Tech is returning a majority of its core lineup and should be expected to have another successful campaign in 2019.
MARSHALL
Marshall is yet another program in the CUSA that experienced a coaching change this past year! In July, Megan Smith was named new head coach for the Herd after previously coaching at Kansas. There are a handful of positive building blocks for Smith to work off of and Marshall has been a program that has experienced a high level of success. It will be fun to keep an eye on what Smith does with Marshall going forward.
BIGGEST QUESTIONS:
KEEPING IT TOGETHER
Can La Tech put together a full season from beginning to end unlike 2018? As mentioned the Lady Techsters return a solid core and add what could be a very promising freshman arm in the circle. If they can finish strong and tighten up more in the circle they could be a fun program to watch in 2019.
INTERIM IN CHARGE
How will FIU’s season go following the departure of previous head coach, Gator Rebhan, early this past fall? FIU will also move forward without stud pitcher, Shannon Salie, who transferred to Oklahoma this summer.
NEW ERA BEGINS
Does UAB have the pieces they need to reclaim the conference crown? With
Kolaitis at the helm, transfers, talented newcomers, and a solid core of returners it will be worth watching.
ANOTHA ONE
North Texas followed the CUSA trend and named a new head coach during the summer. Rodney DeLong left Austin Peay and joins a North Texas program that returns a talented core of players. How will the adjustment go for the Mean Green and how much improvement will we see from this team in 2019?
CALLING ALL PITCHERS
A majority of the conference’s top pitchers have either graduated or transferred meaning there are big opportunities for new faces to step up. Who will take over and lead their teams in the circle?
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Destini England, UAB
England is a key table setter and offensive leader for UAB. She hit .363 last season with a .394 on base percentage and only recorded 13 strike outs. She is steady and consistent and will be important to the Blazers’ success.
Natalie Erwin, UAB
Another powerful presence in UAB’s lineup, Erwin hit .331 with nine home runs, seven doubles, four triples, 29 RBIs, and a .424 on base percentage. If she can limit her strike outs (23) her numbers should only climb higher and make her an even more formidable force for opponents.
Morgan Turkoly, La Tech
The conference leader in batting average, Turkoly hit .409 with four home runes, 26 RBIs, 41 walks, and an amazing .545 on base percentage. She is our front runner for conference Player of the Year honors in 2019.
Sloane Stewarton, La Tech
Just a freshman in 2018, Stewarton had a phenomenal first campaign for the Lady Techsters. She finished second on the team in batting average hitting .359, smacked five home runs, recorded 29 RBIs, and finished with a .395 on base percentage. It will be worth while keeping a close eye on Stewarton in 2019 and if she can lower her strikeouts (23) her numbers should only climb higher.
Preslee Gallaway, La Tech
The ace of the La Tech staff, Gallaway posted a 2.43 ERA with 144 strikeouts in 173.0 innings of work. She also finished with a 18-8 record. Keep an eye on Gallaway this year as she will be crucial yet again to the success of this program.
Madisyn Palmer, FAU
Hitting .399, Palmer lead the way for FAU and will need to again in 2019. Palmer was also a terror on the bases swiping 48 bases in 54 attempts. FAU has higher strike out numbers though, Palmer with 34, and they will need to limit those as an entire team going forward.
Emily Lochten, FAU
Behind Palmer, Lochten hit .350 with an impressive 23 doubles, 11 home runs, 40 walks, and a .485 on base percentage. If she can also limit her strike outs (36) she could be in the conversation for Player of the Year honors.
Lexi Cushing, Middle Tennessee
A big bat that should not be overlooked, Cushing blasted 14 home runs, with a .331 batting average, 48 RBIs, and 12 doubles. Cushing needs to work on lowering her strike outs (34) and if she can do so can wreak even more havoc at the plate.
Bailee Baldwin, UTSA
The power queen of the CUSA, Baldwin posted an impressive slugging percentage of .822 to accompany her .362 batting average, 11 doubles, 19 home runs, and 45 RBIs. She also only struck out 15 times in 2018.
Aly Harrell, Marshall
The CUSA Freshman of the Year was obviously impressive. Harrell hit .350 with 11 home runs, ten doubles, 41 RBIs, and slugged .708. Coach Smith will have a powerful and fun hitter to work with in 2019.
PROJECTIONS:
PROJECTED CONFERENCE CHAMPION (REG. SEASON): La Tech
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Morgan Turoly, La Tech
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Preslee Gallaway, La Tech
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jimmy Kolaitis, UAB
