University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Pair of Midweek Games Await Cajuns
3/8/2011 5:11:00 AM | Baseball
MIDWEEK #1
Date: Tuesday, March 8
Location: Natchitoches, La.
Site: Brown-Stroud Field
Time: 6:30 p.m
Opponent: Northwestern State (4-8)
Radio: SportsRadio ESPN 1420 AM (KPEL)
Live Stats: www.RaginCajuns.com
STARTING PITCHERS
LHP T.J. Geith (UL) vs. LHP Jacob Williford (NSU)
Note: Geith will be on pitch count; Williford to throw two innings
MIDWEEK #2
Date: Wednesday, March 9
Location: Hammond, La.
Site: Alumni Field
Times: 6:00 p.m
Opponent: Southeastern Louisiana (8-4)
Radio: SportsRadio ESPN 1420 AM (KPEL)
Live Stats: www.RaginCajuns.com
STARTING PITCHERS
RHP Joe Zimmermann (UL) vs. LHP Jordan Hymel (SLU)
Road Trip Continues: The Cajuns longest road trip of the season - now seven games long after a rainout at Southern Miss last weekend - takes the squad to Natchitoches and Hammond for midweek games against Northwestern State and Southeastern Louisiana. UL visits NSU on Tuesday and travels to Hammond on Wednesday.
Unleash The Power: Louisiana is beginning to find its groove at the plate. Last week the Cajuns pounded out eight extra base hits in three games (4 doubles, 4 home runs). In the Southern Miss doubleheader, the Cajuns launched three home runs which included the squad's first multiple-home run game of the season.
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" & 6-8 at Brown-Stroud Field). UL swept the season series in 2010 and has won seven of the past 10 meetings dating back to 2007.
The Southeastern La. Series (UL leads 57-42): UL is 13-7 vs. SLU under Tony Robichaux. The Lions have won the last five meetings -their longest win streak in the series since the mid-1980s. Series resumed in 1999 after a 10-season hiatus from 1989-1998. Cajuns last win over SLU came on March 5, 2008 at "The Tigue" (W, 3-1). The two teams will complete the home-and-home series on April 26 at "The Tigue".
Quick Reset: Louisiana is coming off a doubleheader split at Southern Miss on Sunday. Rain washed away games scheduled for Friday and Saturday, shortening what was supposed to be a three-game series. USM used a Marc Bourgeois home run in the fourth inning to take the lead in game one and used a double play in a bases loaded situation to hold off the Cajuns in a 6-5 victory. In game two, Chris Sinclair homered to lead off the fifth for UL and tie the score at 3-all. UL added three more runs in the inning and went on to an 8-4 victory to earn a split of the doubleheader.
Catching the Breaks: After having nearly everything he hit find an opposing fielder in the first two weeks, Jordan Poirrier is starting to find his home run swing. He belted two homers last week and posted a team-high eight RBI.
Steady Bullpen: In 43 2/3 innings of work this season the Ragin' Cajuns bullpen has allowed just nine runs and 31 hits. The bullpen ERA is 1.85 and WHIP is 0.96.
Stingy Pitching: For the season, Cajuns pitching has limited opponents to 11 extra base hits and a .241 average. The staff has issued just 30 walks and allowed 85 hits over 96 2/3 innings resulting in a 1.19 WHIP.
Shining Defense: The Cajuns defense has posted double figure assists in all but two games this season. UL has tallied 144 assists in 11 games (13.1 per game). This season, UL has committed only 10 errors in 444 chances for a fielding percentage of .977.
It's a Sin to Steal on Him: Opponents are having a hard time sneaking a stolen base on Chris Sinclair. Opponents are 0-for-4 in stolen base attempts on the Cajuns catcher.
Emerging Leader: The star of the Cajuns pitching staff in Week 2 was Taylor Hubbell. Hubbell took over with one out in the first inning a midweek game with Nicholls State (Feb. 22) and already three runs having crossed the plate. He ended the Colonels early uprising and finished the final 8 2/3 innings allowing only one run on seven hits. Then he came back on Sunday of the Siena series and tossed a complete game shutout.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
