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People SearchFind an individual who either played a sport or was a member of a support group. Search by last name by clicking on the first letter of the person's last name.
Ms. Lacey Bertucci
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Home Phone: 985-796-3235 Softball: Improved outlook April 08, 2005 – Bruce Brown Lacey Bertucci has older acquaintances who told her what to expect in college. What they didn’t tell her was what life would be like as a member of Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajun softball program. “It did surprise me, how supportive people are,” Bertucci said. “The people, the atmosphere, the teachers and the administration, they’re so outgoing and so kind. “I’ll be in Albertson’s and someone will yell, ‘Hey, No. 33, how’s it going?’ I don’t even know their name, but it’s great to see the smile on their face when they recognize me.” Bertucci knew the Cajuns had a winning program when she signed with UL from Covington High School, but she also had an eye for that supportive community. “I liked the tradition here, and also the family atmosphere,” Bertucci said. “It was hard leaving my mom and dad, and it’s great having them here for our games. I always know where they are.” Bertucci has also found an extended family in her UL teammates. “We’re always in each other’s business,” Bertucci said. “We’re like sisters, we really are. That’s one of the things that makes us a team.” The Cajuns open Sun Belt Conference play this weekend with a visit from improved New Mexico State, and they’ll count on continued production at the plate by their sophomore first baseman. After hitting .266 as a freshman with nine home runs and 40 runs batted in, Bertucci has improved to a team-leading .349 average and 10 homers and already has 29 RBI for the 24-7 Cajuns. “It’s hard work, dedication and confidence,” Bertucci said. “Confidence comes from your teammates, your coaches and your parents. They get you through every day. “We’ve got each others’ backs. When someone gets down, we snatch them back up and tell them, ‘next pitch’ or ‘next at-bat.’ If they make a mistake, that’s over, let’s play.” That kind of positive reinforcement has been a big factor in Bertucci’s growth as a player. “You can’t linger on the negative,” she said. “I was bad at that last year. You couldn’t have negative breakdowns in the middle of an NCAA Regional game at Arizona.” “Lacey came up to me this year and said, ‘Coach, I know what I’m doing this year. And, I can hit,’ ” UL coach Stefni Lotief said on Thursday. “My whole mental game has changed,” Bertucci said. “I guess that comes with experience. I remember being in the dugout last year (in the regionals) at Arizona, looking at each other and crying and seeing how bad we all hurt. It makes me mad. “We came so close last year. It makes you think with just a little more effort we could have made it to the College World Series. Another hour out here. All of our numbers are better this year. We’re striving not to be disappointed like we were last year.” Success has long been a part of athletics for Bertucci, who played both softball and basketball at Covington, but it wasn’t always that way. “I started playing fast-pitch softball my freshman year in high school,” Bertucci said. “Before that, it was slow-pitch, and I had always been a pitcher. I got to high school and my coach asked me if I wanted to catch, and I said I guess so. He told another coach ‘We’ve got ourselves a new catcher.’ “It was very awkward, very weird. I think the ball hit my mask quite a few times. I would ask the pitcher to please throw a couple of change-ups and work up to it gradually. There I was, a freshman, catching for a 5A program. “Then in the summer I played with the New Orleans Voodoo and played first base. I definitely like first base better than catcher. I have a lot of respect for what Joy (UL catcher Joy Webre) goes through.” Bertucci also played basketball, starting at age 8, and was a member of four district champions in that sport including a state semifinal berth her sophomore year. “Both of them are such mental games,” Bertucci said. “If you miss (a shot), it’s so mental. I remember being yanked from games because I’d miss a shot and wouldn’t hustle back down the court. Then my junior year I was yelling out there, trying to be a leader.” Now, if Bertucci has a bad day at the plate, she knows she can’t allow it to affect her defense. And a slip-up on defense can’t be allowed to linger when she’s swinging the bat. Especially when the Cajuns’ goal each year is to reach the College World Series. The program has been to the WCWS four times, most recently in 2003, and reached the 2004 regional final before bowing out. “Goals for college are so much higher,” Bertucci said. “You’re playing for a conference championship instead of a district championship, and instead of bi-districts in the playoffs you go to NCAA Regionals. Instead of shooting for a state title, it’s the World Series. “The level of play is so different. It’s something I’ve looked forward to my whole life.” Bertucci and her teammates even look forward to road trips, the better to bond with her newfound sisters. “We do the same stuff on the road as we do here,” Bertucci said. “We hang out in each others’ rooms and go over game strategy, talk about the other team’s pitchers … until Coach Stefni comes around and tells ‘lights out.’ ” Sounds like an extended family, on and off the field. Originally published April 8, 2005
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