University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, March 13
Lafayette, La.
6:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
vs
South Alabama
Louisiana Baseball Preview: vs. South Alabama
3/13/2026 12:10:00 AM | Baseball
Ragin' Cajuns, Jaguars renew diamond rivalry in SBC opener
LAFAYETTE – Louisiana opens its 30-game Sun Belt Conference baseball schedule on Friday when it begins a three-game series against rival South Alabama at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park.
The series opens on Friday at 6 p.m., resumes on Saturday at 3 p.m., and concludes on Sunday at 1. All three games will be available on ESPN+, with fans able to listen each game locally on KPEL-FM (96.5) and worldwide on the Varsity Network app.
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).
Since a 0-2 start to the season, Louisiana (13-4) has reeled off 13 wins in its last 15 contests, including a three-game sweep of Maryland, a two-game midweek sweep of Kansas State, and midweek wins against Rice and nationally ranked LSU.
The Ragin' Cajuns closed out their non-conference weekend series, taking two of three games last weekend at Dallas Baptist, earning a one-run decision in Friday's opener before taking an 11-6 win on Saturday.
True freshman Colt Brown leads the Ragin' Cajuns with a .361 average and eight doubles while driving in 10 runs, while senior Lee Amedee has hit .328 with a team-best 15 runs scored and 11 walks.
Rigoberto Hernandez has added power to the lineup with three home runs and 11 RBI while maintaining a .309 average.
Several other regulars have contributed balanced production in the lineup, including freshman shortstop Blaze Rodriguez and junior third baseman Drew Markle, each hitting .276.
Maddox Mandino (.259) has driven in 10 runs and leads the team with six stolen bases, while Donovan LaSalle has recorded three home runs and five doubles since returning to the lineup for an early injury.
Freshman Sawyer Pruitt (2-1, 1.48 ERA) will start in Friday's opener for Louisiana with veteran southpaw Andrew Herrmann (2-0, 2.84 ERA) slated to pitch on Saturday. Junior right-hander JR Tollett (3-0, 6.55 ERA) will earn the start in Sunday's finale.
South Alabama (12-5) enters the opening weekend of SBC play coming off a 10-3 win on Wednesday over Southeastern Louisiana to complete a season sweep.
The Jaguars earned weekend series wins over USC-Upstate and College of Charleston before a three-game sweep of West Georgia.
In South Alabama's final non-conference weekend series last weekend at home, the Jags took the opening game over future Sun Belt member Louisiana Tech before the Bulldogs claimed the final two contests.
Brennon Wright (.483-0-9) leads South Alabama at the plate with Blake Guerin (.340-5-19) leading the team in both home runs and RBI. As a team, the Jaguars are hitting .291 with 18 home runs and averaging 8.0 runs per game.
All three starters on the mound for South Alabama are to be determined with Mitchell Heer (3-0, 4.09 ERA), Daniel Gonzalez (1-1, 2.37 ERA) and Hayden O'Dell (1-0, 5.14 ERA) each starting a team-high four games during the season.
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 18-20 PREVIEW
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (13-4) vs. South Alabama Jaguars (12-5)
TIMES (dates and times are subject to change)
Friday (March 13) – 6 p.m.
Saturday (March 14) – 2 p.m.
Sunday (March 15) – 1 p.m.
LOCATION/SITE
M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park (6,015) | Lafayette, La.
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.
PROJECTED PITCHING MATCHUPS
FRIDAY – 6 p.m.
LOUISIANA | RH Sawyer Pruitt (6-7, 240, Fr., Watson, La.)
'26 Stats: 2-1, 1.48 ERA, 24.1 IP, 22 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 29 K, .237 OppBA
SOUTH ALABAMA | TBA
SATURDAY – 2 p.m.
LOUISIANA | LH Andrew Herrmann (6-3, 215, Gr., Kennesaw, Ga.)
'26 Stats – 2-0, 2.84 ERA, 25.1 IP, 12 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 14 BB, 35 K, .143 OppBA
SOUTH ALABAMA | TBA
SUNDAY – 1 p.m.
LOUISIANA | RH JR Tollett (6-2, 210, Jr., Ruston, La.)
'26 Stats – 3-0, 6.55 ERA, 22.0 IP, 21 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 5 BB, 24 K, .250 OppBA
SOUTH ALABAMA | TBA
RANKINGS
Louisiana – None
South Alabama – 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)
TV/STREAMING (ESPN+)
Talent – Dan McDonald (pxp); Brennan Breaux (color)
LIVE STATS
CajunStats.Statbroadcast.com
SERIES RECORD
Overall – South Alabama leads, 71-60
In Lafayette – Louisiana leads, 32-29
In Mobile – South Alabama leads, 40-22
Neutral Site – Louisiana leads, 6-2
Last 10 – Louisiana, 7-3
Streak – Louisiana +1
WHAT'S ON TAP
• Louisiana goes on the road for its next four games beginning Wednesday (March 18) with a midweek trip to face Big 12 member Houston.
• The Ragin' Cajuns will then travel west to San Marcos to face Texas State March 20-22 in the final Sun Belt Conference series between the schools.
#THETIGUE REACHES 1K WINS
• Louisiana's series against Old Dominion was historic in nature, capped by a 2-0 win on March 24, 2024 for the 1,000th career victory at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park.
• Since its opening in 1978, #TheTigue has recorded a 1,043-430-2 record, and eclipsed the 2.5-million fan mark against UC San Diego on February 27, 2026.
CLOSING IN ON 2,200 CAREER WINS
• In its recorded history, Louisiana has posted a 2,190-1,589-10 overall record and is 589-339-1 all-time in Sun Belt Conference play.
CAJUNS AND THE RPI
• Louisiana enters the weekend with South Alabama ranked No. 15 overall in the WarrenNolan.com RPI rankings, with the 29th-toughest schedule in the country and 31st among non-conference opponents.
• The Ragin' Cajuns are also 15th in the latest NCAA NET rankings (as of March 11) - one spot behind Mississippi State and five spots behind the nation's consensus No. 1 team - UCLA.
The series opens on Friday at 6 p.m., resumes on Saturday at 3 p.m., and concludes on Sunday at 1. All three games will be available on ESPN+, with fans able to listen each game locally on KPEL-FM (96.5) and worldwide on the Varsity Network app.
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).
Since a 0-2 start to the season, Louisiana (13-4) has reeled off 13 wins in its last 15 contests, including a three-game sweep of Maryland, a two-game midweek sweep of Kansas State, and midweek wins against Rice and nationally ranked LSU.
The Ragin' Cajuns closed out their non-conference weekend series, taking two of three games last weekend at Dallas Baptist, earning a one-run decision in Friday's opener before taking an 11-6 win on Saturday.
True freshman Colt Brown leads the Ragin' Cajuns with a .361 average and eight doubles while driving in 10 runs, while senior Lee Amedee has hit .328 with a team-best 15 runs scored and 11 walks.
Rigoberto Hernandez has added power to the lineup with three home runs and 11 RBI while maintaining a .309 average.
Several other regulars have contributed balanced production in the lineup, including freshman shortstop Blaze Rodriguez and junior third baseman Drew Markle, each hitting .276.
Maddox Mandino (.259) has driven in 10 runs and leads the team with six stolen bases, while Donovan LaSalle has recorded three home runs and five doubles since returning to the lineup for an early injury.
Freshman Sawyer Pruitt (2-1, 1.48 ERA) will start in Friday's opener for Louisiana with veteran southpaw Andrew Herrmann (2-0, 2.84 ERA) slated to pitch on Saturday. Junior right-hander JR Tollett (3-0, 6.55 ERA) will earn the start in Sunday's finale.
South Alabama (12-5) enters the opening weekend of SBC play coming off a 10-3 win on Wednesday over Southeastern Louisiana to complete a season sweep.
The Jaguars earned weekend series wins over USC-Upstate and College of Charleston before a three-game sweep of West Georgia.
In South Alabama's final non-conference weekend series last weekend at home, the Jags took the opening game over future Sun Belt member Louisiana Tech before the Bulldogs claimed the final two contests.
Brennon Wright (.483-0-9) leads South Alabama at the plate with Blake Guerin (.340-5-19) leading the team in both home runs and RBI. As a team, the Jaguars are hitting .291 with 18 home runs and averaging 8.0 runs per game.
All three starters on the mound for South Alabama are to be determined with Mitchell Heer (3-0, 4.09 ERA), Daniel Gonzalez (1-1, 2.37 ERA) and Hayden O'Dell (1-0, 5.14 ERA) each starting a team-high four games during the season.
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 18-20 PREVIEW
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (13-4) vs. South Alabama Jaguars (12-5)
TIMES (dates and times are subject to change)
Friday (March 13) – 6 p.m.
Saturday (March 14) – 2 p.m.
Sunday (March 15) – 1 p.m.
LOCATION/SITE
M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park (6,015) | Lafayette, La.
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.
PROJECTED PITCHING MATCHUPS
FRIDAY – 6 p.m.
LOUISIANA | RH Sawyer Pruitt (6-7, 240, Fr., Watson, La.)
'26 Stats: 2-1, 1.48 ERA, 24.1 IP, 22 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 29 K, .237 OppBA
SOUTH ALABAMA | TBA
SATURDAY – 2 p.m.
LOUISIANA | LH Andrew Herrmann (6-3, 215, Gr., Kennesaw, Ga.)
'26 Stats – 2-0, 2.84 ERA, 25.1 IP, 12 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 14 BB, 35 K, .143 OppBA
SOUTH ALABAMA | TBA
SUNDAY – 1 p.m.
LOUISIANA | RH JR Tollett (6-2, 210, Jr., Ruston, La.)
'26 Stats – 3-0, 6.55 ERA, 22.0 IP, 21 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 5 BB, 24 K, .250 OppBA
SOUTH ALABAMA | TBA
RANKINGS
Louisiana – None
South Alabama – 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)
TV/STREAMING (ESPN+)
Talent – Dan McDonald (pxp); Brennan Breaux (color)
LIVE STATS
CajunStats.Statbroadcast.com
SERIES RECORD
Overall – South Alabama leads, 71-60
In Lafayette – Louisiana leads, 32-29
In Mobile – South Alabama leads, 40-22
Neutral Site – Louisiana leads, 6-2
Last 10 – Louisiana, 7-3
Streak – Louisiana +1
WHAT'S ON TAP
• Louisiana goes on the road for its next four games beginning Wednesday (March 18) with a midweek trip to face Big 12 member Houston.
• The Ragin' Cajuns will then travel west to San Marcos to face Texas State March 20-22 in the final Sun Belt Conference series between the schools.
#THETIGUE REACHES 1K WINS
• Louisiana's series against Old Dominion was historic in nature, capped by a 2-0 win on March 24, 2024 for the 1,000th career victory at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park.
• Since its opening in 1978, #TheTigue has recorded a 1,043-430-2 record, and eclipsed the 2.5-million fan mark against UC San Diego on February 27, 2026.
CLOSING IN ON 2,200 CAREER WINS
• In its recorded history, Louisiana has posted a 2,190-1,589-10 overall record and is 589-339-1 all-time in Sun Belt Conference play.
CAJUNS AND THE RPI
• Louisiana enters the weekend with South Alabama ranked No. 15 overall in the WarrenNolan.com RPI rankings, with the 29th-toughest schedule in the country and 31st among non-conference opponents.
• The Ragin' Cajuns are also 15th in the latest NCAA NET rankings (as of March 11) - one spot behind Mississippi State and five spots behind the nation's consensus No. 1 team - UCLA.
Players Mentioned
IF
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RHP/C
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IF
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LHP
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OF
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OF/LHP
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IF
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RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
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