University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
BASEBALL OPENS SEASON WITH DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP
2/19/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
CAJUNS' BASEBALL CRUISES TO 7-1 WITH WIN OVER SMU...Feb. 19, 2000
LAFAYETTE -- Louisiana's Ragin' Cajun baseball team beat SMU
Saturday in the second straight contest the two teams have played of their three-game
series, pushing the Cajuns to a 7-1 mark.
Junior right hander Eric Templet mowed down the Golden Eagles'
hitters for seven and 1-3 innings by striking out eight of 29 batters that he faced, en
route to the Cajuns' 5-3 victory . Templet only allowed three runs on five hits with the
Cajun defense making three errors.
"Eric gave me everything that he had," head coach Tony Robichaux said. "The guy hit the ball off the wall and that was it for him.
This win gives the Cajuns a 7-0 record at home against the Golden
Eagles, but Robichaux said that he and the team can't reduce the level of intensity.
"We can't think that we are automatically going to pick up a
win on Sunday," Robichaux said. "You will have just as good of a team, if not a
better team on Sunday."
Senior third baseman Nathan Nelson continued to murder the ball in
this game, going 2 for 4 with a homerun and plating two Cajun baserunners.
Senior right fielder Ryan Gill, sophomore second baseman Neil
Simoneaux and senior catcher Danny Massiatte each had an RBI, bringing the Cajuns final
tally to five.
Robichaux admitted that although his team is winning they are not to
the point they need to be yet.
"We have some holes in our line-up," Robichaux said.
"We have guys with ability that haven't been swinging the bat too consistently."
Templet had only given up one run through seven to Golden Eagles
centerfielder Dusty Haley who hit a solo homer to left for the Eagles first score of the
game. But, in the top of the eighth inning Templet ran out of steam as he gave up two more
runs, opening the door for sophomore reliever Gordon O'Brien. O'Brien managed to pick up
an out for the Cajuns by forcing an infield pop-up, but proceeded to walk the next two
hitters, which forced Robichaux to make another pitching change in the eighth.
Junior closer Aaron Welbourne came on for the Cajuns to slam the
door on the Golden Eagles, and managed to do so by giving up only one hit, walking one and
striking out none.
There will be a rotation change from the last two series as junior
left hander Justin Gabriel will start on the mound for the Cajuns. This will be the Lassen
Junior College transfer's first start in Division I baseball, but he has made appearances
for the Cajuns already this season. He has pitched two innings, striking out five, giving
up only three hits and one run. He currently has an ERA of 4.50 and a record of 0-0.
SMU 000 001 020 3 6 1
UL Lafayette 022 001 000 5 8 1
Templet, O'Brien (8), Welbourne (8) and Massiatte; Rogers, Sells (8) and Welch.
W-Templet, L-Rogers, Sv-Welbourne. HR-Haley (1), Nelson (2). HBP-Fishburn, Feehan.
Tuesday, May 19
Tuesday, May 12
Monday, May 11
Monday, May 11
