University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Florida Atlantic*
Cajuns Take on FAU Seeking to Gain Ground in SBC Standings
3/29/2012 6:54:00 PM | Baseball
Contact: Matt Hebert
Game Notes
THE WEEKEND SERIES
Dates: Friday-Sunday, March 30-April 1
Location: Boca Raton, Fla.
Site: FAU Stadium (2,000)
Times: 5:30 p.m. CDT (Fri) | 3:00 p.m. CDT (Sat) | 12:00 p.m. CDT (Sun)
Opponent: Florida Atlantic (16-10, 5-1 Sun Belt)
Radio: Sports Radio ESPN 1420 AM & News Talk 96.5 KPEL-FM (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Internet Broadcast Links: ESPN 1420-AM and 96.5 KPEL-FM
Live Stats: www.FAUSports.com
STARTING PITCHERS
Friday: RHP Jordan Nicholson (UL) vs. RHP Ryan Garton (FAU)
Saturday: LHP Chris Griffitt (UL) vs. TBA (FAU)
Sunday: TBA (UL) vs. LHP Austin Gomber (FAU)
It's Been Awhile Since We've Seen You: The Ragin' Cajuns are in Boca Raton, Fla., for a Sun Belt series with Florida Atlantic for the first time since the 2008 season. The Owls visited “The Tigue” each of the previous three seasons. In fact, it's just the second trip for the Cajuns to Boca Raton since FAU joined the Sun Belt in 2007.
No Stranger to Florida: Louisiana has made at least one trip to the Sunshine State each year since 2006. The Cajuns visited FIU each of the past three seasons (2009-11).
Halfway Home: The FAU series wraps up Week 7 of the 2012 season, bringing an end to the first half of the season. The second half begins next week with a midweek tilt against Southeastern Louisiana at “The Tigue” (April 3).
Golden Opportunity: The Cajuns currently sit in the middle of the pack in the Sun Belt standings, meanwhile FAU is in first place. This weekend's series gives UL a chance to climb near the top of the league standings heading into back-to-back series at “The Tigue” (WKU April 6-8 and FIU April 13-15).
Quick Reset: UL opened its current four-game road swing on Wednesday at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge against No. 15 LSU. Two home runs provided all but one of the Tigers runs and 10 different pitchers combined to hold the Cajuns to three hits. After a one hour, 17 minute rain delay, the Cajuns' bullpen was able to hold the Tigers in their tracks when play resumed, holding LSU to one hit the over the final 5 2/3 innings. The offense never got untracked and UL was shutout for the first time this season.
The FAU Series (UL leads 8-6): Series began with FAU's entry into the Sun Belt in 2007. Louisiana swept the first-ever series back in 2007 at “The Tigue”. Prior to last season's Cajuns sweep at “The Tigue”, FAU had won six of eight meetings to claim their first series lead at 6-5. Neither team has scored double figures. Eight (8) of the 14 all-time meetings have been decided by three runs or less. This weekend's set is just the second series at FAU Stadium (Owls hold a 2-1 edge claiming a series in March 2008).
Nicholson Delivers Again: Jordan Nicholson turned in his fifth quality start (six innings, three earned runs or less) of the season last Friday vs. Arkansas State. The senior righty from Ruston, La., has pitched at least six complete innings in five of his six starts.
Run Producing Machine: True freshman Dylan Butler has posted at least one RBI in 11 of the last 14 games. He sports a team-high 29 RBI, which ranks third in the Sun Belt trailing only UALR's Sean Bignall (38) and Troy's Boone Shear (32).
Special Company: Dylan Butler is one of only six (6) players in the Sun Belt Conference averaging over one RBI per game (1.21 per game). At his present pace, the freshman from Belle Chasse, La., might challenge the Cajuns single-season RBI record of 75 set by Greg Blevins in 1990. Butler is currently on pace for 67 RBI by regular season's end, which would be good enough for Top 5 in school history.
Bowman Bagging Bases: Brian Bowman needs two (2) stolen bases to tie his personal, single-season best of 17 set in 2010. Bowman ranks second in the Sun Belt with 15 swipes in 16 attempts. He trails league leader Michael Faulkner (20) by five stolen bases.
Pitching Prowess: Louisiana pitching has held the opposition to single digits in runs in 23 of 24 games.
Prime Time Performers: Night and day games have provided a stark contrast for the Ragin' Cajuns – UL is 10-2 in night games and only 3-9 in day games.
The Countdown Continues: Head coach Tony Robichaux is 16 wins shy of 900 career wins (presently 884-597-1 in his 26th season as a Division I head coach).
Welcome Back Adam: Adam Todd, who played seven games in 2010, has rejoined the squad after sitting out the 2011 season. A catcher by trade, he'll serve as a backup to Chris Sinclair who was the lone catcher after Michael Strentz's season-ending surgery.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
