Printable View
Hey man, they came out great. Even after the 5 pitchers of beer we split throughout the day, the late pictures were all awsome. Oh by the way we made it home. I have to say it was a great day, Awsome weather, cold beer, great game, and a basketball win last night...boy I can't wait to move back.
I was supprised how well the pictures came out myself. That was the best time I have had at a baseball game in a long time. GO CAJUNS !!
To RaginCajun08:
Thanks for the pictures, they turned out great and I do appreciate them. Now to figure out how to print them.
Gentlemen, I was also there and have helped in putting on fan day for Coach Rob, Lots of people show up and get the souvenirs, autographs, and free food and stay a little while and leave. You have to understand staying at the ball park from 11 am to 5 pm is a long time for little kids and older people, only the die-hards will endure the weather. This is an obersavation which I have noticed over the past three Fan Days. I figure there were 2000 people there for Fan Day, all in total. For Ron Guidry and Paul Bako to show up was Awesome and then there were all the other fan favorites. Gill, Massiatte, Devy, and Dohlman( who by the way could not play either), and so many others. It was great and it is only gonna get better.
<blockquote><p align=justify><b>Experience, depth key for Cajun catchers</b>
<i> This is the third of a four-part series of stories on UL Lafayette’s 2004 baseball squad. The Ragin’ Cajuns open their season Friday at 6:35 p.m. against Sam Houston State.</i> Today: <b>The Catchers.</b>
LOUISIANA La. — There’s no substitute for experience behind the plate, and Louisiana’s 2004 baseball squad has that. But what the Ragin’ Cajuns also have is catching depth, probably more so than at any time in modern-day history.
Two returning starters, two highly-regarded newcomers and a fifth player that scouts want to see get more catching action ... it’s almost an embarrassment of backstop riches for coach Tony Robichaux.
“We have a way to rest these guys some now,” Robichaux said. “We can spread out the duties, and by the end of the year our catchers will still have legs and still be fresh.”
Senior Ryan Core stepped up offensively at the end of the 2003 season and ended up earning second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors. He hit .297 with five homers, 13 doubles and 25 RBI, most of those numbers coming in the latter half of his initial Cajun season.
“He really had a good fall,” Robichaux said of the former Delgado standout, “and he’s better behind the plate and understands our system better now. We knew eventually he’d hit, and he knew he had to get better as a catcher. He’s a much better overall player now.”
He’ll need to be to stay high on a catcher depth chart that also includes the consistent Justin Morgan, junior college products Adam Massiatte and Brandon Montemayor and freshman Jeffries Tatford.
Morgan has started 32 games behind the plate over the past two seasons, and the son of former Cajun backstop Jamie Morgan has earned a reputation as one of the league’s and the region’s best defensive catchers. He’s also earned the trust of the Cajun coaches.
“It’s always nice when guys behind the plate are well respected,” Robichaux said, “and Justin is that. He’s one of the hardest workers on the team. We’re going to use him a lot, definitely in the later innings because he has great tempo and understands our pitching system almost better than I do. We know nobody’ll be able to pick up our signs.”
The name Massiatte is synonymous with Cajun catchers after Danny Massiatte helped will the 2000 squad to the College World Series. Adam, Danny’s younger brother, carries many of the same traits, according to the Cajun staff, but didn’t join the squad until the spring semester as a mid-term transfer.
<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/sports/html/988C45BD-FBFF-43F2-A259-03DCB4C666A1.shtml">The rest of the story</a>
Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@lafayette.gannett.com <!--
“You can tell he has some great ability,” Robichaux said. “We just need to harness that and channel it the right direction. Everybody else had two or three months to pick up the system and he had a couple of weeks. He’ll get better as we go.”
Montemayor was able to play in the fall season, and provides the Cajuns with the potential for offensive punch from the position. Tatford, a freshman and product of St. Thomas More, will likely play more at first base but can don the gear if needed.
“Montemayor’s very capable,” said Robichaux, “and we’re also going to be able to use him at designated hitter.
“Tatford played third base, first base, catcher and pitcher in high school, and the scouts really like him behind the plate. But it’s tough to pick up the hitting at this level and at the same time try to catch.”
2004 Cajun Catchers
Name B-T Ht. Wt. Cl.-Exp. Hometown-Previous School
Ryan Core R-R 5-11 204 Sr.-1L Folsom-Delgado CC
SKINNY: Hit .297 with 25 RBI in 2003, second-team All-Sun Belt catcher.
Adam Massiatte R-R 6-1 185 Jr.-JC Houston, Texas-Blinn JC
SKINNY: Younger brother of former Cajun Danny, highly-regarded prospect.
Brandon Montemayor R-R 6-0 205 Jr.-JC Newhall, Calif.-Coll. of Canyons
SKINNY: Provides offensive force behind plate, could also see DH action.
Justin Morgan R-R 6-1 183 Jr.-2L Gonzales-East Ascension
SKINNY: Two-year defensive standout, started 32 games during career.
Jeffries Tatford L-R 6-3 217 Fr.-HS Lafayette-St. Thomas More
SKINNY: More likely to play at first base, but could catch if needed.
-->
Great points, it was still cool of them all to show
I am a new poster, a UL(USL)ulumni, season ticket holder, and long time fan of cajun baseball. I have two small children that look forward to fan day. The players and their attitudes towards my children (autographing their arms, shirts, and any articles of clothings)was outstanding. Nothing but high quality players with great morals and bright smiles on their faces.
In my opinion, a GOOD turnout was on hand. I arrived slighly late (12:15) to keep my children out of the cold weather, thinking that the autograph line would be short, but it definitely wasn't. Which I take it as good turnout since all autographs couldn't be signed in the allotted time (11:30 - 12:45).
I, like a large alumni population, could not keep small children in the cold weather any longer.
Keep the positive observations about Fan Day as the priority.
AS a side note: Maybe Corey Coles should have used a wooden bat insted of aluminum during his UL days at "The Tigue". Man, he had some shots in the home run deby.
<blockquote><p align=justify><i>This is the final of a four-part series of stories on Louisiana’s 2004 baseball squad. The Ragin’ Cajuns open their season Friday at 6:35 p.m. against Sam Houston State</i>. Today: <b>The Pitchers</b>
LOUISIANA La. — Half of University of Louisiana's pitching staff has collegiate experience — some a little, some a lot — entering the 2004 season.
But coach Tony Robichaux knows that, especially as the season progresses, the Ragin’ Cajun baseball squad will need contributions from new faces if they’re going to find success.
“We’re very solid position wise,” Robichaux said, “so we’ll go as far as our pitching grows up. I think we’re going to score runs, we just have to grow up on the mound. We have enough pitchers to get it done.”
The loss of multi-year lettermen Andy Gros, Jordy Templet and Corey Coles depleted the squad’s experience, and puts a lot of pressure on a pair that emerged as stalwarts last year — righthanders Kevin Ardoin and Kraig Schambough.
Ardoin became the opening-night starter in Sun Belt Conference play, squaring off against league opponents’ top hurlers and compiling a 5-5 record and a 4.03 ERA. Schambough, meanwhile, was both a short and long reliever, making 25 appearances with a 3.79 ERA and four saves along with a 4-1 record.
Schambough was the biggest part of a bullpen that helped UL go 23-0 when leading after seven innings.
“Kevin’s definitely our number one starter going in,” Robichaux said. “He’s been consistent and he has the advantage of having another year in our system.
<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/sports/html/AF9BA698-D374-47D6-B005-4B945199FB9F.shtml">The rest of the story</a>
Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@lafayette.gannett.com <!--
“Kraig will probably start some early. A lot of times last year I was forced to bring him in the fifth or sixth inning to keep from letting games get away, before I had a chance to use him as a closer. This year we’re going to score more runs, so the closer spot’s going to be even more important.”
That job — and pretty much all the other pitching staff slots — are up in the air going into opening weekend, and there’s a big cast for Robichaux to choose from. Even if sophomore Jeff Martinez has shoulder surgery as expected, the Cajuns still have 14 available pitchers on the roster.
Some saw limited action in 2003, with junior and Lafayette product Thad Montgomery (1-1, 5.87) seeing the most of a group that also includes Bubba Olivier, Brandt Sanders, Jered Salazar and Aaron Hays.
Salazar, a former standout at Teurlings Catholic, may be a big key. A medical redshirt last year after limited early action and elbow surgery, he wasn’t scheduled to be back at full strength until nearly midseason. However, he started and threw two strong innings against the alumni squad Saturday.
“Jared’s way ahead of schedule,” Robichaux said, “and we’re fortunate that he is. He looks very good ... he was up to the 80-pitch mark with breakers and sliders. Sometimes it’s a little easier to come back quick when it’s an elbow, so we’re looking for big things from him. Thad’s got enough stuff and maturity to close, and he’s ready to succeed ... he’s a guy that has to step up and pitch like an older guy should.”
Olivier (0-0, 2.64), Sanders (0-1, 0.00) and Hays (0-0, 4.50) will vie with a talented newcomer group for rotation and relief spots. Hays and Sanders provide lefthanded arms along with Arizona junior college product Ben Belanger.
“We’re going to need some help out of the left side,” Robichaux said. “Belanger has good stuff and just needs to become more of a strike thrower.”
The Cajuns will also need big performances out of potential starter Josh Kohrs and closer candidate Patrick Green, a transfer from Tennessee. Ian Pecoraro and Kohrs were both juco all-stars as starters.
“Josh Kohrs has shown ability to go out and dominate somebody,” Robichaux said, “and Green has the ability to close for us especially if we keep Schambough as a starter. Pecoraro’s doing well and looked very solid in the fall.”
Another candidate as a closer is redshirt freshman Jeremy Whipple, a hard thrower from Central Catholic in Morgan City who got the save in Saturday’s alumni game. Ditto for Sport Voorhies, who will play in a utility role but could see extensive mound action.
A wild-card entry may be Jeff Morgan, who transferred from Texas Tech at mid-term.
“He was a junior college All-American with really good movement and off-speed stuff,” Robichaux said. “He’s trying to learn a lot in just a little time, but he has the ability to spot start, go in long relief or as a set-up man.”
2004 Cajun Pitchers
Name B-T Ht. Wt. Cl.-Exp. Hometown-Previous School
Kevin Ardoin R-R 6-2 175 Jr.-2L Eunice-St. Edmund
SKINNY: Went 5-5 with 4.03 last year and became Friday starter in league play.
Aaron Hays L-L 6-1 158 Sr.-Sq Enid, Okla.-N. Oklahoma
SKINNY: Threw only two innings last year and compiled 4.50 ERA .
Ben Belanger L-L 6-2 190 Jr.-JC Glendale, Ariz.-Glendale JC
SKINNY: Arizona JC all-star, 38 strikeouts and 4.12 ERA as freshman.
Patrick Green L-R 6-3 182 Sr.-TR Alpharetta, Ga.-Tennessee
SKINNY: Had 5.09 ERA with 16 strikeouts in limited action at UT last year.
Josh Kohrs R-R 6-4 225 Jr.-JC St. Charles, Mo.-Maple Woods CC
SKINNY: Threw strong five innings, fanning three, in fall World Series.
Jeff Martinez L-L 5-11 190 So.-1L Baton Rouge-Parkview Baptist
SKINNY: Was still recovering from surgery last year, 1-1 in limited time.
Thad Montgomery R-R 6-1 195 Jr.-2L Lafayette-St. Thomas More
SKINNY: Pitched in relief role, throwing in 16 games with 1-1 mark and 5.87.
Jeff Morgan R-R 6-2 200 Jr.-TR Seminole, Okla.-Texas Tech
SKINNY: Mid-term transfer who should add immediate help to staff.
Bubba Olivier R-R 6-1 190 Sr.-1L Eunice-Pensacola JC
SKINNY: Made six appearances with 2.61 ERA in first Cajun season last year.
Ian Pecoraro R-R 5-11 170 Jr.-JC Plano, Texas-Temple JC
SKINNY: 10-2, 3.86 ERA as starter at Temple, will likely see starting action.
Jered Salazar R-R 5-11 194 Jr.-RS Breaux Bridge-Pearl River JC
SKINNY: Medical redshirt last year, but has returned quicker than expected.
Brandt Sanders L-L 6-2 165 So.-1L Patterson-Central Catholic
SKINNY: Only pitched two innings last year with 0-1 mark in limited time.
Kraig Schambough R-R 5-10 172 Sr.-1L Carencro-Carencro
SKINNY: Became prime short and long reliever, 3.79 with four saves last year.
Sport Voorhies R-R 6-2 215 Sr.-1L Lafayette-Blinn JC
SKINNY: Played utility role last season and will likely play a lot of roles again.
Jeremy Whipple R-R 5-11 167 Fr.-RS Morgan City-Central Catholic
SKINNY: Impressive in fall drills, could emerge in late-inning relief or as closer.
-->
For those of you with children playing ball, these guys have a camp in the Acadiana area from Nov - Feb. Visit devey.ca for details
<blockquote><p align=justify><b>Robichaux’s club develops chip on its shoulder as season begins</b>
LOUISIANA La. — Rodney Dangerfield has nothing on UL Lafayette’s baseball team.
No respect for either one.
Dangerfield pulls at his red tie and gets put down by his peers. The Ragin’ Cajuns tug their red belts and get ignored by league coaches and national voters.
Four different national college baseball polls have been released — Collegiate Baseball magazine, Baseball America magazine, USA Today Sports Weekly/ESPN and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
One lists 25 teams, one lists 30. The remaining two list other schools receiving votes that didn’t make their list, going down 57 and 58 places when the “others receiving votes” are included.
In none of the four do the Cajuns even rate a mention. Nowhere, nada ... even in those that go nearly 60 deep.
In the Sun Belt Conference’s preseason balloting of the nine league coaches, UL Lafayette got one first place vote out of nine. If past history is any indication, that vote came from Cajun coach Tony Robichaux.
All of those voters may have missed this time, especially if the Cajuns’ pitching jells.
“I really like where this team is,” Robichaux said. “We’re going to play good defense and we’re going to score a lot more runs. We’ll go as far as our pitching grows up, and I really believe they’re going to be a solid group.”
<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/sports/html/5D7EC34E-B820-4534-8890-FB7351C49CCB.shtml">The rest of the story</a>
Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@lafayette.gannett.com <!--
Robichaux, all of those voters and UL Lafayette fans get their first chance to see who’s correct this weekend when the Cajuns welcome Sam Houston State for a three-game season-opening series that kicks off with a Friday 6:30 p.m. contest at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field.
Part of the reason for internal optimism is the schedule. Of the 56 games on the regular-season schedule, 34 of them are at the “Tigue” and only 22 of them are road battles. Among the non-traditional teams coming to Acadiana to play are Michigan, Harvard, Furman, Stony Brook and Siena.
“We have some northern teams coming in that feel they need to play somebody with a higher RPI,” Robichaux said. “They’re willing to travel, so that’s the biggest change in our schedule.
“I know I’m looking forward to a season in which we have a lot of home games.”
The bigger reason for high hopes is the squad’s makeup. For the first time in Robichaux’s Cajun career — including the 2000 College World Series team and the 1999 NCAA Super Regional team — the squad can virtually go two or more deep at all everyday positions without a significant talent and ability decline.
In other words, keep the scorecards handy.
“We have great depth, especially in the infield,” Robichaux said. “We have guys that can move around the diamond if somebody goes down hurt, but more importantly we can pinch-hit, we can play lefty-righty and we can go defensive substitutions.”
The squad has already realized the importance of that depth. Highly-regarded junior college transfer shortstop Jameson Parker will miss the season after surgery to correct a nagging hand injury, after being expected to solidify the starting infield this season.
Robichaux also cited a second year of having the hitters work with assistant coach John Szefc, who revamped the squad’s offense and hitting system. The Cajuns hit .278 as a team last year — no great shakes, but more than 10 points higher than the previous year when UL Lafayette had the third-lowest team batting average in the 64-team NCAA Tournament and still made the regional final round.
The squad was a lot closer to .300 over the final half of the 2003 regular season.
But the Cajuns’ chances of success will rise and fall on their mound performance, and because of that Robichaux and his staff have loaded up with 15 pitchers on the roster. But precious few have extensive collegiate experience, and more than half will be in their first season in the UL Lafayette program.
“The important thing is that the distribution of the stress has to be spread around,” Robichaux said. “We can’t put everything on a couple of guys’ shoulders ... we need some other guys to step up and pitch.”
At least in the first weekend, though, it’ll be on the shoulders of veterans Kevin Ardoin and Kraig Schambough, the top starter and the tested reliever from last year’s squad respectively.
“We’ll go with them Friday and Saturday,” Robichaux said. “We want our knew guys to sit through a night game Friday and then sit through a Saturday game, and watch two guys that pitch the way we want our staff to pitch. That’ll get them used to our crowd and our facility, and we don’t have to put a new arm out there until Sunday.”
The focus of the team and coaching staff is on opening weekend, but that hasn’t stopped Robichaux from looking to the future ... and he wasn’t talking just this season. He’s already drawing parallels from that 1999 team to this year’s unit, and the ‘99 squad set the stage for the program’s storied World Series appearance the following year.
“There are an awful lot of similarities,” he said. “In 1999 we had a lot of juniors that needed to mature, and they did that during the season and we did a lot of special things that year and in 2000.
“We have the same thing this year, a lot of juniors that only need to go through the maturation process. If we don’t get destroyed by the draft, next year’s team lines up to be something very special again.”
-->
:mad: as you all know too well, we have alot of people,places,things,and area working against us, having said that,let me say this, i have confidence in our coaches staff, and what they can and will do, so, the only way to remedy this is to go out there and win and i think we will. so the saga begins, wait til you hear the rest of the story..............
.......Paul Harvey
His initials are P.H. which this year will stand for Pure Hitting, and Pitching Hallmark