Coach Robichaux interviewed with me tonight on the Cajun Redzone and here are some of the notes from the show. I won’t spend anytime reviewing his comments from the championship game because his comments have been noted in interviews the past few days.
On the subject of facilities: He mentioned that the national coverage of the team and regionals has changed the conversation on the facilities and the needs of investing into the program. To that point, I mentioned that the over flow crowds and the number of fans watching the game outside the stadium in fact only increased the awareness that the investment is needed. He stated that “The new facilities are needed and the fans, former players and supporters deserve better.”
Finishing in the Top 10 in Attendance: We have some of the best fans in the country and they’ve been attending games in large numbers for some time now. There is no doubt that our fans have shown a new stadium would be not be an empty field.
2015 Schedule: Coach said that they will have to season a very young team early on the road opening the season at U. Texas San Antonio, Stony Brook at home and Alabama on the road. The Cajuns will also play LSU in the Wally Pontiff Classic in New Orleans next season. The Cajuns will also host South Alabama, Arkansas State, Troy, ULM, UALR and App. State or Georgia Southern. In 2016, the Cajuns will return to the Minute Maid Classic College Tournament in Houston.
On who is returning at this point: On Michael Strentz possibly returning, Coach stated that he believes that some team will come in late and offer Strentz money to sign as a free agent similar to what happened to Dex Kjerstad last season. This is how he broke down the roster for the fall and competition at each position.
Pitching
Returning
LHP Conner Toups- Coach said that he believes Toups could have a breakout season in 2015.
LHP Riley Cooper
RHP Martin Anderson
RHP Hayden Guidry
RHP Chris Charpentier
RHP Nick Zaunbrecher
RHP Trace Guidry
RHP Regan Bazar
New Signees
LHP Gunner Leger- 17-0, 1.55 ERA
LHP Trey Jeans
LHP Ty Ewart
RHP Wyatt Marks
RHP Harrison Fife
RHP Evan Guillory
RHP Alex Shelton
RHP Orynn Veillon
RHP Blaine Suehs
RHP Colton Lee
Note: Dylan Moore RHP has not signed his papers…did not discuss
Catchers
L/R Nick Thurman
R/R Evan Powell
R/R Logan Stoelke
1st Base
R/R Greg Davis
R/R Joe Trahan
L/L Gunner Leger
2nd Base
R/R Joe Robbins
R/R Stefan Trosclair
SS
R/R Blake Trahan
3rd Base
L/R Brenn Conrad
R/R Kennon Fontenot - .489 BA/21 HRs/69 RBI
Outfield
R/R Adam Angelle
R/R Dylan Butler
L/R Kyle Clement
L/L Nolan Brown
R/R Brian Mills
R/R Cole Jackson
R/R Derek Herrington
R/R Orynn Vellion
Recruiting Class- Coach agreed with me that this class is very athletic and the pitchers have stature. They wanted to sign athletes that were similar to what we’ve had the past two seasons and that is the model they are following. This group isn’t as physical yet because they have been in the weight and conditioning program for one year yet, but they have the potential to be that type of players.
Coach said the fall will be critical to see which athletes are willing to buy into the offseason program and each returning player was asked if they were on board with doing that again because those are the guys that will be setting the example for the younger kids. He said last year 90% committed to toughening out the program and those that didn’t were not in the program.
These are just a few notes, we didn’t have him for an hour. Jay will have coach longer tomorrow, so I’m sure he will have a few more details. I didn’t type his comments about some of the young athletes because it’s so late, but we talked about a hand full in detail.