The Book: 2004 Baseball

[Turbine]

If I heard correctly, Robe said he will sit in some classs to make sure the kids show up.

[Turbine]

The picture doesn't capture how well the new lights light up the field. Let me tell you, the field is lit up, it is nice.

[RaisingCajun08]

Did they happen to move the light poles back also? It is hard to tell from the pictures but it doesnt look like they did.

[CAJUNJUDO]

It would be nice if they did move the light poles back, but I doubt that they did. I've had to move a couple of times because they were in the way. It seems like they would have put them outside (behind) the bleachers to begin with.

[RedBug58]

The first thing that I noticed when the new bleachers were put in was the light pole within the stands. I never understood that, but I guess it just cost too much to move it????

[NewsCopy]

This is the first 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. Today: The Infield.

LOUISIANA La. — University of Louisiana’s baseball squad has exceptional depth in the infield for the 2004 season. That depth would be even better were it not for Jameson Parker’s hand.

The highly-touted junior college shortstop’s nagging hand injury hasn’t healed, and a recent second surgery puts him out of the Cajun picture for this season.

Many teams might panic. The Cajuns are just rolling someone else to that position. Such is the level of infield talent that’s available this season.

“We’re fortunate we have some guys that can move around the diamond if somebody goes down hurt,” said Cajun head coach Tony Robichaux. “We can also do some pinch-hitting, do a lot of lefty-righty and make defensive changes as we need.”

Three regular starters are back, and they’ve all got help in the form of junior college and freshman newcomers who will all see playing time.

The unit is anchored by third baseman Dallas Morris (.299), a two-year performer who has improved steadily since being thrown into it as a freshman.

“I’ve been coaching 16 years,” Robichaux said, “and I’d give him the vote as the best defensive third baseman I’ve coached. The only thing he has to do to make his game complete is cut down the holes in his swing and his strikeouts, and he’s worked hard at that.”

The other returning starters are junior Phillip Hawke (.305) at first base and senior Brad Saloom (.244) at second. Justin Bourque (.260 in 2002), the second-base starter two seasons ago, also returns after a year of academic ineligibility.

“Phillip had an excellent fall,” Robichaux said. “He’s always had the physical strength, and he’s now becoming a smarter hitter. It gives us a great opportunity when our five-hole hitter can be patient, draw walks and give us opportunities to score even more.

The rest of the story

Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@lafayette.gannett.com

[CajunKate]

I was able to attend the game protion of fan day. I missed the autograph session and homerun contest. The pros won the homerun contest, but the Cajuns won the game. It was a fun experience, and there were a goodly number of people out to watch the game. I ALWAYS enjoy the baseball games, so I am a little disappointed that I will miss the season opener, but not too much because I will be down in New Orleans to watch the basektball team.

Here are a few pictures to appease those who couldn't attend to day and our out of state posters.

[CajunKate]

First base shot

[CajunKate]

End of game handshakes

[RaginRash]

thanks kate!

[RaisingCajun08]

I have a bunch more pictures that will be posted in the morning.

I am just getting back from the basketball game. Its been a long day. Baseball / Basketball double header.

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA La. - Josh Kohrs picked up the win with Jeremy Whipple getting the save for the Cajuns squad in a Fan Day exhibition Saturday at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field. Former Ragin Cajuns pitcher Trey Bullinger took the loss for the pro team after walking in the go ahead run in the seventh.

Jered Salazar set the tone early in the game with two strikeouts while only allowing a pair of singles in the first two innings.

John Coker led off the bottom of the first inning with a stand-up triple. Josh Landry brought him around to score with an RBI double.

Coker came around to score again in the third inning for the Cajuns after being issued a walk by Andy Gros. Landry came through again, this time with a single, to advance the runner to second. A single off the bat of shortstop Michah Cockrell brought Coker around pulling the Cajuns ahead 2-0.

Kevin Ardoin entered the game to get work in during the third and fourth innings. He tallied two strikeouts in the third and gave up a homerun to former Cajun Ryan Gill with two outs in the fourth.

Sophomore lefty Brandt Sanders also put in two solid innings striking out the side in the sixth. The second run for the pro team came on a throwing error charged to Sanders with two outs in the fifth that allowed Walter Guillory to cross the plate for the veteran squad.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Trey Bullinger walked Brandon Montemayor, Justin Bourque and Justin Merindino to load the bases before settling down to strikeout Devon Bourque. Coker picked up an RBI as he watched ball 4 sail past him on a full count bringing in Montemayor.

For good measure in the eighth, relief catcher Justin Morgan doubled off of pitcher Ryan Gill and was brought around to score two batters later on a Montemayor single.

Whipple came in to seal the deal in the ninth inning by getting Corey Coles to fly out to second and Rick Haydel to ground out to the third base side. Whipple also struck out Chase Lambin to preserve the win and earn the save.

LOUISIANA SI