University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Veteran Squad Seeks to Defend Title
2/9/2011 5:11:00 PM | Baseball
In 2010 Louisiana baseball's remarkable second half run returned the squad to the upper echelon of the Sun Belt Conference for the first time since 2007 and resulted in an NCAA Regionals appearance.
It's hard to imagine a way possible to top the excitement of that second half run, but the 2011 version of the Ragin' Cajuns appears to have the "tools" to be able to create their own magic.
The challenge this season is to give Louisiana its first-ever, back-to-back Sun Belt Conference titles.
The current Cajuns squad is reminiscent of the 2005 championship team that returned with a lot of veterans in 2006. This year, Louisiana features a veteran squad in both position players and pitching staff. UL returns five position starters and two-thirds of its weekend pitching rotation.
Head coach Tony Robichaux welcomed 16 letterwinners and 15 newcomers at the start of preseason practice. The fall practice session yielded quality performances from several newcomers indicating quality depth to support the Cajuns veterans.
The defending champions must replace three key elements in order to stay atop the Sun Belt - victories and strikeouts leader Zach Osborne, catcher and two-time RBI leader Chad Keefer plus defensive stalwart Justin Robichaux at first base.
T.J. Geith (6-2, 4.67 ERA) and Taylor Hubbell (4-4, 4.42 ERA) are the two returning starters in the pitching rotation. New Orleans transfer Joe Zimmermann, the ace of the Privateers staff the past two seasons, is expected to complete the rotation.
The entire bullpen - with the exception of Dayton Marze - is back. Joey Satriano (24 appearances, five saves) and Ryland Parker (15 appearances, .167 opponent average) are the top returners.
Hitting-wise, the Cajuns return four of the top five players in batting average, hits and RBI.
In the infield, Jordan Poirrier returns at second base. Nearly half of his hits in 2010 went for extra bases and he figures to be a key run producer again. Greg Fontenot (shortstop) and Tyler Frederick (third base) proved to be valuable assets defensively at their positions and return to shore up the left side of the infield.
Alex Fuselier and Matt Goulas are the returning starters in the outfield. Fuselier led UL with 20 steals last season and Goulas posted 21 multiple-hit games. UNO transfer Mike Petello is expected to replace Kyle Olasin in center field and he'll add power to the lineup (13 HR in 2010 at UNO).
The Cajuns have plenty of speed and expect to utilize it again this season (had 101 steals in 2010). Fuselier (20), Brian Bowman (17) and Goulas (14) and will be the main culprits in stolen bases.
The schedule features an even balance between home and road games (28 apiece). Louisiana is scheduled for a trip to San Francisco March 11-13 to participate in a tournament, hosted by Cal, at AT&T Park, home of the defending world champion San Francisco Giants.
The season begins the weekend of Feb. 18-20 as Louisiana hosts Southeast Missouri State at "The Tigue" to start of the 17th season of the Robichaux Era.
Fans are invited to meet the 2011 Ragin' Cajuns baseball team on Saturday, Feb. 12 as annual Fan Day festivities are held at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field. Gates open at 11 a.m.
