University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
UL Returns to Monroe for SBC Tourney
5/24/2011 11:00:00 AM | Baseball
THE SUN BELT TOURNAMENT
Dates: Wednesday-Sunday, May 25-29
Location: Monroe, La.
Site: Warhawk Field (1,800)
Pool Opponents: FIU (37-17-1), South Alabama (29-26), Arkansas State (25-30-1)
Radio: SportsRadio ESPN 1420 AM (KPEL)
Live Stats/Video: www.sunbeltsports.org
SCHEDULE OF POOL PLAY GAMES
Thursday, May 26 vs. South Alabama | 11 a.m.
Friday, May 27 vs. Arkansas State | 11 a.m.
Saturday, May 28 vs. FIU | 7 p.m.
SUN BELT TOURNAMENT BASICS
Appearance: 18th appearance in 20th season as SBC member
All-Time Record: 31-32 (.492)
Championships: 1 (1998)
PITCHING MATCHUPS
Thursday - LHP Taylor Hubbell (UL) vs. RHP Garrett Harris (USA)
Friday - LHP T.J. Geith (UL) vs. RHP Andy Ferguson (ASU)
Saturday - RHP Jordan Nicholson (UL) vs. RHP Daniel DeSimone (FIU)
Another Top 3 Finish: Louisiana ended the regular season in sole possession of third place in the Sun Belt standings. In 17 seasons under Tony Robichaux, UL has finished third or higher in the SBC standings 12 times.
We're Back: The staff at Warhawk Field will see familiar faces when the Ragin' Cajuns enter the park this week. Louisiana concluded regular season play against La.-Monroe last weekend at Warhawk Field.
New Format: Under the new round robin format adopted for this season's event, the Sun Belt Tournament field is divided into two four-team pools with the team with the best record in each pool advancing to the tournament's championship game. Each team is guaranteed three games and a day off prior to Championship Sunday.
Meet the Competition: Louisiana, the No. 3 seed in the tournament, is slotted into Pool B and will compete for the right to advance to Sunday's championship game against No. 2 FIU (37-17-1), No. 6 South Alabama (29-26) and No. 7 Arkansas State (25-30-1).
What's at Stake: Should Louisiana win Pool B the squad would advance to Sunday's championship game against the winner of Pool A which is comprised of No. 1 Troy (40-16), No. 4 Western Kentucky (32-22), No. 5 Florida Atlantic (32-22) and No. 8 UALR (20-32). The championship game is scheduled for Sunday, May 29 at 1 p.m., and will be televised live by the Sun Belt Network
The "Unofficial" Home Team: With host La.-Monroe not qualifying for the tournament, the Ragin' Cajuns will represent the State of Louisiana in the 2011 Sun Belt Tournament. And, with the shortest drive time to Monroe, expect the Cajuns to have the largest fan gathering.
Cajuns Come Alive at Warhawk Field: UL has visited Warhawk Field the past two seasons and the squad has liked the numbers they've been able to produce. In 2010, the Cajuns hit .341 and belted 17 extra base hits. Last weekend the squad produced 20 runs, hit. 290 and nabbed eight extra baggers (five home runs).
Poirrier Likes Warhawk Field: Jordan Poirrier is 12-for-26 (.462) in six career games played at Warhawk Field.
Petello on the Prowl: Mike Petello, who recently reeled off a 14-game hitting streak, is the Ragin' Cajuns hottest hitter since April 1 hitting .385 with 47 base hits (17 extra baggers) in 122 at bats. That has raised his season average to a team-leading .363.
Double 'Em Off: UL has turned 53 double plays leaving the team seven (7) shy of a third straight season of 60-plus twin-killings with at least three (3) games left to play. Since April 1, the Cajuns have executed 37 double plays.
Nationally Ranked Defense: As of May 17, the Cajuns ranked in the Top 20 for fielding percentage (No. 19) and Top 40 for double plays turned (No. 32).
Pitching is the Name of the Game: Cajuns pitching has held the opponent to five runs or less 38 times in 55 games (27-11 record).
Model of Consistency: Adding in this season's play, UL has now gone 23 consecutive Sun Belt series without being swept by the opposition (dates back to April 2009). The Cajuns' Sun Belt record during the streak is 45-24.
The Sun Belt's Best: To no one's surprise the Ragin' Cajuns rank nationally and lead the Sun Belt in average home attendance. UL currently ranks 18th with an average home attendance of 3,313. The total attendance at "The Tigue" for the entire 28-game slate was 92,784 which set a new facility record.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
