It’s something UL fans have been trying to figure out for much of the 2024 softball season.
Exactly which pitcher is the best option for coach Gerry Glasco and pitching coach Justin Robichaux?
There have been many moments throughout the season where it seemed like junior right-hander Sam Landry should be the choice.
Just when it appears that is the case, Chloe Riassetto steps up in a big game to suggest otherwise.
Then Landry changes the conversation again when she does something like she did this past weekend with dominant performances at UL-Monroe.
"I thought Landry was absolutely brilliant in the weekend series at ULM," Glasco said of Landry's 14⅔ innings with no runs allowed on five hits.
Perhaps it’s time to admit it's a question without a definite answer. It just depends on the day.
“They want one to be the best for whatever reason,” said Glasco, whose Cajuns (38-15, 20-1 Sun Belt) begin their final regular-season series of the series against Troy at 6 p.m. Thursday at Lamson Park.
You can find times when Landry has pitched both well and poorly against lineups dominated by right-handed hitters, against elite teams and against inferior teams.
There also have been times when Riassetto has shined and also needed relief against lefty-dominant lineups, as well as against really good and lesser squads.
There’s no rhyme or reason to it.
Furthermore, it doesn’t even matter much in softball. The flexibility to put starters back into a game allows coaches to play musical chairs.
“That’s why I’m making the hooks quicker and quicker and quicker. Let’s put somebody out there with a fresh perspective with no pressure on them and get the other one out of the jam. They did it all week again.”
It’s nothing for UL to pull a pitcher after only a few batters if it’s not working. Most of the time, the reliever delivers.
“They’re really close friends,” Glasco said of Landry and Riassetto. “They’ve got a really good big-sister, little-sister relationship. They just complement each other so well. They have each other’s back. Earlier in the year, Chloe made the statement, ‘I had your back, Sam. I had to have your back,’ and Landry’s made a point of having her back.
“I really like what we’ve got right there with those two kids. They’re taking it personal to have each other’s back.”
On the season, Landry is 20-7 with a save and a 2.08 ERA, giving up 120 hits, 56 walks and striking out 139 in 161⅔ innings.
Riassetto wasn’t as busy early in the season and has six fewer starts, but she is 13-3 with six saves and a 2.72 ERA. In 105⅓ innings, the southpaw has surrendered 107 hits, 27 walks and struck out 45.
In Sun Belt play, the difference is negligible.
Landry is 11-1 with a save and a 1.66 ERA, allowing 42 hits and 26 walks with 60 strikeouts in 71⅔ innings.
Riassetto is 7-0 with four saves and a 2.35 ERA, yielding 43 hits, 10 walks and striking out 17 in 50⅔ innings.
“I think it’s 100% they’re both really good,” Glasco said. “So you can watch Landry pitch and she’s the best. Then you watch Chloe pitch and think she’s the best. I think that’s what people are wanting to do.
“I’m just a lucky coach ... I just want both to be the best. That’s what I see.”
Riassetto developed a reputation as a clutch pitcher late in games last year, and that showed up in Wednesday’s 5-4 road win over McNeese with two strikeouts to escape a jam, despite not being a strikeout pitcher at all.
Landry also has made some strides in that area this season.
“She’s growing in maturity and she’s learning how to recover quicker from the hard moments and the moments when the game challenges you mentally,” Glasco said. “I think she trusts me more now. We’re in a great place.”
Both pitchers are good teammates and shine in the classroom, so there’s not even much separation in that aspect.
“In this particular situation, as a coach, I’m just so blessed to have both,” Glasco said. “They’re extremely talented in the classroom — phenomenal student-athletes. I’ve never had one discipline problem with either one of them off the field. They’re just good kids.”
So which pitcher should the Cajuns start Thursday against Troy or in the Sun Belt tournament opener?
Take your pick.
It literally could work either way, and if it doesn't, most likely the other will rectify the situation out of the bullpen.