University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Missouri State
Louisiana Baseball Preview: Missouri State
2/12/2026 2:30:00 PM | Baseball
Ragin' Cajuns, Bears meet up for first time since 1997
LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Baseball team officially opens its 2026 season on Friday when it plays host to Conference USA member Missouri State in a three-game series at M.L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park.
First pitch for Friday's opener is scheduled for 2 p.m. The series will resume on Saturday at 2 p.m. before wrapping up Sunday at 1 p.m.
Fans will be able to listen to all three games in the Lafayette area on KPEL-FM (96.5) and worldwide on the Varsity Network app with Jay Walker (pxp), Brad Topham (color) and Craig Melancon (color) providing commentary.
Friday's game will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald (pxp) and Brennan Breaux (color) on the call.
ABOUT LOUISIANA
Louisiana opens its 113th season of intercollegiate baseball on Friday, hosting Missouri State in a three-game series at M.L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park.
After advancing to the NCAA College Station Regional final in 2024, Louisiana finished with a disappointing 27-31 record.
The Ragin' Cajuns brought in 19 newcomers during the offseason, including six experienced players (Donovan LaSalle, Steven Spalitta, Rigoberto Hernandez, Landon Victorian, Tyler Papenbrock, and Cowan Alfonso) from four-year schools to bolster the roster.
Lee Amedee (.285-2-35), Owen Galt (.277-0-16), Jose Torres (.267-2-35) and Drew Markle (.248-2-19) are Louisiana's top returning hitters. Maddox Mandino (.250-1-8) stole 17 of 18 bases last season to lead the team.
Louisiana plays 12 of its first 13 games at home with weekend series against Missouri State, Maryland and UC San Diego. The Ragin' Cajuns will also host Kansas State in a two-game, midweek series and reigning national champion LSU to close out the homestand.
ABOUT MISSOURI STATE
Missouri State wrapped up its 35th and final Missouri Valley Conference season in 2025 with the program's seventh regular-season championship, going 30-25 overall and 17-8 in Valley games.
The Bears, in their first year in Conference USA and picked sixth in the preseason rankings, finished among the nation's best power-hitting teams, finishing the 2025 campaign seventh nationally in slugging (.547) and 12th with 109 home runs.
The Bears have homered in 155 of the last 186 games, and rank 8th nationally with 422 long balls since the beginning of the 2022 season, when head coach Joey Hawkins took over as hitting coach. MoState's 109 homers last season ranked 4th in school history. The current roster has combined for 102 round-trippers in their time at MoState, and four have a 10-plus homer season at MSU.
Missouri State welcomes 18 newcomers into the program this season from a variety of backgrounds. Of the new players, 11 transferred from four-year schools, two were in junior college in 2025, and five are freshmen.
PARKING OPTIONS FOR MARDI GRAS WEEKEND
With Mardi Gras parades and the Lafayette Mardi Gras Carnival kicking into high gear this weekend around the Cajun Field complex, there are several parking options for fans attending events at both Lamson Park and M.L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park.
Beginning Friday, free designated general parking for fans attending the season-opening series will be available on the southeast side of Cajun Field at Gate 5 (Cajundome Boulevard and Souvenir Gate). ADA parking will be available for fans on a first-come, first-served basis on the East Side of Cajun Field, with shuttles running to both Russo Park and Lamson Park.
Additional parking for baseball and softball fans will be available at the UL Print Shop (500 Coliseum Rd.), along with a park-and-shuttle service from the UL Health Sciences Campus (611 St. Landry St.).
Baseball fans can access Russo Park throughout the weekend via the southeast gate of Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium and exit through the southwest gate.
Paid parking, within the footprint of Cajun Field, is available through the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association.
SEASON, SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets for Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Baseball are available for purchase on-line at RaginCajuns.com/tickets or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 482-GoUL (4685).
Group tickets are also available by contacting the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office by email at Tickets@louisiana.edu.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
For the latest updates on Ragin' Cajuns baseball, follow on Facebook (RaginCajunsBaseball), Twitter (@RaginCajunsBSB) and Instagram (@RaginCajunsBSB) or check RaginCajuns.com.
GAMES 1-3 PREVIEW
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (27-31 in 2025) vs. Missouri State Bears (30-25 in 2025)
DATE/TIMES (dates and times are subject to change)
Friday (February 13) – 2 p.m.
Saturday (February 14) – 2 p.m.
Sunday (February 15) – 1 p.m.
LOCATION/SITE
M.L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park (6,015) | Lafayette, La.
PROJECTED PITCHING MATCHUPS
FRIDAY - 2 p.m.
LOUISIANA | LH Ty Roman (6-3, 215, Jr., Diboll, Texas)
'25 – 9-1, 2.81 ERA, 2 CG, 2 ShO, 51.1 IP, 33 H, 18 R, 16 ER, 18 BB, 42 K)
MISSOURI STATE | RH Michael Yusypchuk (6-3, 215, So., Edmonton, Alberta)
'25 Stats – 4-3, 5.83 ERA, 2 CG, 71.0 IP, 80 H, 48 R, 46 ER, 22 BB, 63 K, .280 OppBA)
SATURDAY – 2 p.m.
LOUISIANA | LH Andrew Herrmann (6-3, 215, Gr., Kennesaw, Ga.)
'25 Stats: 3-5, 4.99 ERA, 2 Sv., 1 CG, 70.1 IP, 84 H, 52 R, 39 ER, 27 BB, 53 K, .295 OppBA
MISSOURI STATE | TBA
SUNDAY – 1 p.m.
LOUISIANA | RH JR Tollett (6-3, 210, Jr., Ruston, La.)
'25 Stats – 6-4, 3.51 ERA, 1 CG, 1 ShO, 77.0 IP, 76 H, 34 R, 30 ER, 12 BB, 63 K, .252 OppBA
MISSOURI STATE | TBA
TICKETS
• Tickets for Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Baseball are available for purchase on-line at RaginCajuns.com/tickets or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 482-GoUL (4685).
• Group tickets are also available by contacting the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office by email at Tickets@louisiana.edu.
RANKINGS
Louisiana – None
Missouri State – None
RADIO/TV/LIVE STATISTICS
RADIO (Pregame Show starts 30 minutes prior to first pitch)
Station – KPEL-FM 96.5 / The Varsity Network App
Talent –Jay Walker (pxp); Brad Topham (color – Friday/Sunday); Craig Melancon (color - Saturday)
TV/STREAMING (ESPN+ - FRIDAY & SUNDAY)
Talent – Dan McDonald (pxp); Brennan Breaux (color)
LIVE STATS
CajunStats.Statbroadcast.com
SERIES RECORD
Overall – Louisiana leads, 2-0
In Lafayette – Louisiana leads, 1-0
In Springfield – Never met
Neutral Sites – Louisiana, 1-0
Last 10 – Louisiana, 2-0
Streak – Louisiana +2
