Senior outfielder Brennan Breaux was like many other athletes across the nation, crushed by the sudden halt of their season.
"it was a shock to everybody, because we felt like we were finally playing our best baseball," Breaux said. "You always thing you're in control of everything. You always think you have your plans laid and then life throws you a curveball."
That's why the NCAA's decision to grant an extra year of eligibility to all spring athletes is being celebrated across the nation.
"I look at it like a baseball game. In a halted or suspended game, it's gotta go 5 innings," Head Coach Matt Deggs said. "If you look at it like that for our season, we were no where near halfway. It's an incomplete game. To say that everyone gets a do over, i think it was the right thing to do.
Baseball is usually the only spring sport with a roster limit, but the decision has allowed that number to temporarily expand beyond 35 players. Deggs anticipates a full return from his seniors.
"I think they want to come back. We certainly want them to come back. We certainly want them back. They were 5 good ball players, but more importantly 5 good men."
For Breaux, his plan for 2021 was to be a grad assisant for the Cajuns while finishing his master's degree. But now, his extra year serves as almost a blessing in disguise.
"I was talking to Coach Deggs," Breaux said. "If i'm here i might as well play. Luckily and thankfully, the NCAA gave us another year. I'm happy to be able to finish it out."