Bullet Softball Showcase benefits local colleges, players

With 27 college programs in attendance and 90 softball players looking to make an impression, Bullet Athletics officials and college coaches deemed the Summer Showcase Friday and Saturday at the Ruston Sports Complex a success, as area talent and local schools got a chance to catch each other’s eye.

Bullet Athletics, an organization providing players opportunities, facilities, and instruction for baseball and softball players based in Lake Charles, held its own camp and showcase in Ruston for the first time and came away with positive feedback from coaches and prospects at the event.

Louisiana Tech, Grambling State, ULM, McNeese, Southeastern Louisiana, LSU-E, and Southern U. were just some of the college programs lining the outskirts of drill work, mingling, and sharing thoughts on prospects.

Ryan Monceaux of Bullet was pleased with the event turnout.

“The camp is a really good way for coaches to interact with athletes and see how they get in reps and also get a chance to talk with them,” Monceaux said. “Some coaches like to work it while others sit back and watch and scout. It’s however they want. But either way, they can get a sense of who an athlete truly is.”

Monceaux said schools from Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas made the trip, proving to him that the sport’s visibility and need to expand recruiting footprints allows Bullet to capitalize and give players increased spotlight.

And Monceaux said the Sports Complex is one of the best facilities to hold such an event.

“We’ve had nothing but great things to say about the city and these facilites,” Monceaux said. “So far, everyone we’ve worked with up here has been helpful and cooperative.”

Josh Taylor, Louisiana Tech’s head softball coach, attended the camp and was not surprised to see the amount of talent there was for just one event.

As the second-year coach continues grinding on the recruiting trail, Taylor knew he couldn’t overlook what’s right in the program’s backyard at the Bullet showcase.

“There’s a lot of talent in Louisiana and the surrounding areas, and we gotta make sure our face is out there. It’s like Dr. (Eric) Wood always says, you gotta put the logo out there. You never take the logo off,” Taylor said. “We want to make sure we have a presence at these things and the girls know we’re watching.”

The Lady Techsters had seven players within an hour of Ruston on the 2023 roster.

GSU softball coach Nakeya Hall chatted with Taylor throughout the camp and expressed excitement for the chance to get an upclose look at potential prospects to come join the Lady Tigers.

And she hopes recent program momentum catches the interest of recruits.

After winning a SWAC Tournament game for the first time in a decade and winning 30 games for the first time since 2001, Hall told recruits at the showcase that the time to join GSU is now.

“Grambling is finally being noticed and it’s really important to show your face during this time when we’re ‘hot,’” Hall said at the camp. “I just let them know when I introduce myself, ‘ we’re only five minutes down the road.’”