University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Cajuns Look to Extend Streak at FAU
4/22/2011 3:12:00 PM | Softball
www.RaginCajuns.com - After completing an undefeated, six-game homestand, the 17th ranked Ragin' Cajuns go back on the road this weekend when they travel to Boca Raton, Fla., to face the Sun Belt's second place team, Florida Atlantic, in a three-game set.
The Cajuns (38-6, 13-2) enter this weekend's contests as winner of their last 10 games and five games up on the Owls (28-22, 12-7) in the loss column.
UL and Florida Atlantic are set for a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 5:00 p.m. CT before they close out the series with a single game on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT.
All three games can be followed through live stats via RaginCajuns.com at the above link.
Game Day Storylines
- The Cajuns enter this weekend's contests with a 10-game winning streak, tying the longest of the season for UL. In those 10 games, the Cajuns have outscored their opponents 84-9, including four shutouts.
- The Cajuns have won seven straight Sun Belt games as they currently sit atop the league's standings, five games ahead of the second-place Owls in the loss column.
- The Cajuns last started Sun Belt play with a 13-2 record in 2008. That season also marks the last time UL advanced to the NCAA Women's College World Series.
- Christi Orgeron enters the weekend with an NCAA-leading 75 RBI, just five shy of breaking a 10-year-old Sun Belt and UL single-season record.
- Gabriele Bridges currently sits tied for first in the nation with 20 home runs as she is just the fourth player in Sun Belt and UL history to post 20 homers in a season.
- Bridges and Orgeron have combined for 39 home runs this season, the most by any duo in the country, and more than six entire Sun Belt teams.
Scouting the Competition
Florida Atlantic
- The Owls come into this weekend's series sitting in second place in the Sun Belt, five games back of the Cajuns in the loss column. Florida Atlantic used three runs in the seventh inning and a walk-off home run on Wednesday to defeat rival FIU, 3-2, in Boca Raton.
- Florida Atlantic is led by a senior hurler Rose Gressley who comes in with a 15-11 record and a 2.13 ERA in a team-leading 171.0 innings pitched. The Owls No.2 pitcher, Taylor Fawbush, sits at 13-10 with a 3.12 ERA.
- Offensively, the Owls have hit just 13 home runs as a team, but have three players hitting over .300, led by Cari Curfman at .316. Preseason All-Sun Belt catcher Kerri Croney is currently hitting .227.
- The Cajuns have never lost to Florida Atlantic as they enter this weekend at 14-0 all-time against the Owls. Last season, the Cajuns defeated the Owls four times, including once in the Sun Belt Tournament. The Cajuns are 6-0 all-time in Boca Raton, Fla.
Last Time Out
Nicholls State (2-0)
- The Cajuns moved their winning streak to ten games with two run-rule wins by scores of 8-0 and 11-2 at home against the Colonels.
- Game 1: The Cajuns threw their fourth shutout in five games as they blanked Nicholls 8-0 in six innings. The win marked the 600th in the history of Lamson Park. Christi Orgeron added two more RBI to her NCAA-leading total while Gabriele Bridges lifted her 18th home run of the season.
- Game 2: The Cajuns posted four home runs, two from Bridges in another six-inning win, this one by a score of 11-2. Bridges posted six RBI and became the fourth player in Sun Belt and UL history to hit 20 home runs in a season. Orgeron added two more RBI with her 19th home run of the year while Sarah Draheim also homered.
Middle Tennessee (3-0)
- The Cajuns posted their third Sun Belt sweep of the season in five series. UL has now swept 39 of their 65 all-time Sun Belt series, or 60.0%. The Cajuns defeated the Blue Raiders by a combined score of 28-1while Ashley Brignac threw 13.0 scoreless innings and Christi Orgeron posted 11 RBI.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
