After two nail-biting seasons with the overall record for Dillard’s baseball and softball teams being close, the university decided to move into a new direction for both teams. Coach Melvin Le’Kerby Marshall is the new head coach for baseball and Coach Jose Taitague is the new head softball coach.
Both coaches are on the same page for the season, on and off the field. Marshall wants the boys to finish in the top 3 in the conference, while Taitague envisions the softball team becoming conference champions. Off the field, both Coaches want their teams to have high GPAs and want to make an impact in the community to get Dillard’s name out there.
They also both hope to improve the team’s skill set on the field. Marshall wants to play fundamentals and work on pitching.
“Being disciplined and patient throughout the game. Execution and applying pressure to defenses while utilizing our speed and aggressiveness,” Marshall added to his list of goals.
While he is focused on pitching and the team’s performance, Taitague is focused on defense. Coach Taitague is a big defense person.
“You can have an off night on offense and still win. You can’t have an off night in defense and win,” he said.
With new coaches also come new players. Tae Boze is a sophomore mass communication major from Atlanta who transferred to Dillard from Brewton Parker Christian University in the fall of 2025. Even though this is his first year, he already sees the impact of the changes.
“There’s a lot more structure within the program, and everyone understands their specific role on the team. That structure has helped create accountability and a more focused environment,” said Boze. Since his transfer, being at Dillard has helped him to refine his love for baseball, he said.
“Being around players who share the same mindset and passion has helped me fall back in love with the game. It also means a lot to have a coach who truly believes in me,” said Boze.
Grace Hunter is another transfer from Southern Union State Community College. She likes the new environment and said that Coach Taitague has come in and set the expectation to succeed.
“He instills in us every day that if our actions do not reflect our goals, then we have to change our actions; at practice, in class, at work. No matter where we are, our actions have to reflect our goals,” said Hunter.
She also thinks he is a great fit for the team. Hunter said she felt uneasy with the coach change mid-semester when Coach Jack Lewis stepped down.
“Coach Jose came in and took over with confidence and open arms, and I couldn’t be more appreciative of this experience!” said Hunter.
It’s not just the new players who see a change, but also players who have been here for years.
Mea Landry is a junior from New Orleans who’s been playing since Dillard started the softball program in 2023. She believes that the team now has more structure.
“A lot more organized and longer practices,” and “ if anyone has a bad attitude or anything like that, he handles it as a coach,” said Landry
The team is different from last year, she said, in terms of having a secure position on the team and the overall production of the team’s dynamic.
“Definitely every spot is earned, so just having to prove yourself in the lineup,” said Landry.
The Dillard University Softball team currently has a record of 8-8 for the 2025-26 season. Their next game is against Wiley University on March 21.
The Baseball team has a current record of 5-7 for the season. Their next game is also against Wiley University on March 21.
