University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Cajuns Close Out March at Home
3/28/2011 9:44:00 PM | Baseball
THE MIDWEEK GAME
Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Location: Lafayette, La.
Site: M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field (3,755)
Time: 6:00 p.m
Opponent: Northwestern State (7-16, 2-7 Southland)
Radio: SportsRadio ESPN 1420 AM (KPEL)
Live Stats/Video: www.RaginCajuns.com
STARTING PITCHERS
RHP Michael Cook (UL) vs. RHP Jacob Roark (NSU)
A Cajuns Uprising: The Ragin' Cajuns enter Tuesday's game with Northwestern State having posted double figure hits in five consecutive games, a streak that dates back to the La.-Monroe series finale. UL seems to have found the offensive firepower needed to make the pitching staff even more lethal.
It's Clicking Now: In the past five games (dating back to La.-Monroe Sunday game) the Cajuns have hit .388, scored 49 runs, rapped out 71 hits and slugged .645. UL has posted 27 extra base hits during the streak (14 doubles, 6 triples, 7 home runs).
It's a Winner: Louisiana claimed 2-of-3 games at Arkansas State last weekend to post the squad's first Sun Belt series victory of 2011. It was also the first series win over ASU since the 2007 season.
April Means Time Change: Beginning with this weekend's series against Florida Atlantic at "The Tigue" the remaining Saturday home games (except April 30 vs. UALR) will be played at 6 p.m.
Quick Reset: It was a wild and crazy series in Jonesboro for UL against Arkansas State. Despite allowing a six-run inning on Friday, the Cajuns plated four runs in the eighth inning off two walks, a hit by pitch and sacrifice fly to rally for a 10-9 win. Rain postponed game two to Sunday, forcing a doubleheader. In game 1 on Sunday, ASU took advantage of two free passes in the fourth to record a three-run inning and added seven over the next four frames to pull out an 11-7 victory that evened the series. In game 2, the Cajuns wasted little time taking control. UL scored a run two batters into the game and led 6-0 after three innings. The Cajuns won the finale by a 10-4 count on the strength of a 16-hit attack against the Red Wolves.
The Northwestern State Series (UL leads 75-47): For the ninth straight season the Ragin' Cajuns and Demons meet for a home-and-home, mid-week series. After a three-year hiatus from 2000-02, the Ragin' Cajuns have won 14 of the 22 meetings held since the series resumed in 2003. Louisiana holds a 20-15 edge in the Robichaux Era (14-6 at "The Tigue"). UL swept the season series in 2010 and has won seven of the past 10 meetings dating back to 2007.
Makeup Date Announced: Louisiana and Northwestern State announced last week that the March 8 game in Natchitoches that was postponed by inclement weather will be made up on Wednesday, April 13. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m., at Brown-Stroud Field.
The Line Has Been Drawn: Louisiana has now won four of its past five games after falling a season-high, two games below .500 after the Saturday loss to La.-Monroe.
Following Fontenot: Senior Greg Fontenot is tops in batting average (.366) and base hits (30). Fontenot is second on the squad with seven multiple-hit games.
Poirrier's Power: Jordan Poirrier hit .450 (9-for-20) last week, posting nine RBI and slugging 1.200. He saw seven of his nine base hits go for extra bases as he tallied two doubles, two triples and three home runs. Poirrier hit .571 (8-for-14) in the ASU series, scored six runs, rapped out six extra base hits and slugged 1.500.
He Wants More: For the season Jordan Poirrier has seen 19 of his 27 hits (70 percent) go for extra bases and he now leads the team with a .648 slugging percentage.
Pitching is the Name of the Game: Cajuns pitching has held the opponent below five runs 15 times in 23 games.
Tough as Nails: In 84 1/3 innings of work this season the Cajuns bullpen has allowed just 29 runs and 76 hits. The pen's ERA is 2.99 and WHIP is 1.22.
Take at Least One Each Weekend: UL has now gone 15 consecutive Sun Belt series without being swept by the opposition (dates back to 2009)
The Sun Belt's Best: To no one's surprise the Ragin' Cajuns rank nationally and lead the Sun Belt in home average attendance. In the most current national attendance rankings UL ranks 16th with an average home attendance of 3,323.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
