Alyssa Denham is the second player to leave the University of Louisiana-Lafayette for the Pac-12. Last week, Oregon acquired former Ragin’ Cajuns slugger DJ Sanders, who decided to transfer following the dismissal of head coach Michael Lotief. Tabbed the 2017 Sun Belt’s Freshman of the Year, the Pearland, Texas, native held a 2.27 ERA going 15-2 with 80 strikeouts. She held opponents to a .205 batting average. 

Denham's decision to transfer transpired after the firing of Lotief. 

“Coach Mike guided me through last year… and he is the reason for the success that occurred,” she told The Daily Advertiser in a recent interview. “He was the rock, glue, and heartbeat our team. He was the reason why we were a top program. I will forever support and stand by the man that believed in me when no one else did.” 

“Coach Mike Lotief gave me the opportunity to play the sport I love at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. My personality was very different than what it is now. I was shy, quiet, and timid. Coach Mike saw potential in me and I am forever grateful that he taught me to be a strong independent woman,” Denham added.