HAMMOND, La. – The two-time reigning Southland Conference Tournament champion Southeastern Louisiana University softball program has completed its 2026 coaching staff with the additions of Sarah Kate Thompson and Matt Uhle, SLU head softball coach Rick Fremin announced Wednesday.
 
All hires are pending approval from the University of Louisiana System's Board of Supervisors.
 
Thompson, a native of Myrtle, Mississippi, will primarily work with the Lady Lion infielders, while Uhle, who hails from Harahan, Louisiana, will provide guidance to the Southeastern pitching staff.
 
Thompson and Uhle will join a Southeastern program that is one of eight Division I programs to win 40 or more games in each of the past four seasons. Fremin, the two-time Louisiana Coach of the Year, and his wife and assistant coach Alana Fremin both return for their 11^th season, while SLU Hall of Famer Katie Lacour Godwin will be back for her eighth season with the program and second as Director of Softball Operations.
 
The Fremins and Godwin return from a staff that was named the 2025 Division I Gulf Region Coaching Staff of the Year. The 2025 Lady Lions became the fourth team in Southland Conference history to win 50 games in a season, finishing 50-16 and advancing to the final of the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional.
 
Thompson will be starting her collegiate coaching career in Hammond, having just finished her playing career this past season at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. She was an Academic All-District selection as a senior and started all 101 games in her two seasons with the Lady Bulldogs.
 
"Sarah Kate came to us highly recommended and has been a joy to interact with since joining our program," Fremin commented. "We're truly looking forward to working with her as we embark on a new season."
 
Uhle returns to the SLU softball program after a two-year absence, having served in various roles on the coaching staff under Fremin, who came to Southeastern in 2016. Prior to joining the Lady Lions, Uhle posted a 71-42 record from 2009-14 as the head coach at St. Martin Episcopal High School, earning New Orleans Metro Coach of the Year honors in 2010. Uhle also coached several top fastpitch softball select teams in a career that dates back to 1995.
 
"Matt's return is pivotal for me personally, because he started with us back in 2016 and helped us over the years in a variety of ways," Fremin said. "Our pitching staff will benefit greatly from his return."
 
The Lady Lions will officially open their 2026 campaign at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, scheduled for Feb. 5-8 in Clearwater, Florida. SLU's eight-game fall exhibition slate opens with a 10-inning scrimmage versus Pensacola State Sept. 26 at 4:30 p.m. at North Oak Park.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Softball, follow @LionUpSoftball on X and Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook.
 
HOME RUN CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the softball program are encouraged to join the Home Run Club. Lady Lion softball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Home Run Club and S Club (softball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern softball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern offers mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.