This Is Louisiana

[NewsCopy]

 
• Louisiana has finished .500 or better in each of the last 12 seasons.

• The Ragin’ Cajuns have won 1,236 games since moving to NCAA Division I status in
1972 – an average of 33 wins over 37 seasons.

• Louisiana has won 64 percent of its Sun Belt Conference games and finished first or
second in the league standings 10 out of 17 seasons competed.

• Head coach Tony Robichaux is one of only 32 active NCAA Division I head coaches
with 750 career victories. Robichaux has led Louisiana to 512 wins in his 14 seasons
with the program (average of 37 wins per season).

• Louisiana’s baseball program has turned out 59 All-Sun Belt Conference selections
and produced the Sun Belt’s Pitcher of the Year three times (2000, 2005, 2006) since
the turn of the century.

• The Ragin’ Cajuns have had five All-American selections in the past four seasons.

• There have been 38 Major League Baseball draft selections under Tony Robichaux.

• Louisiana has made 11 appearances in the NCAA Regionals since 1988.

• The Cajuns’ pitching staff has led the Sun Belt Conference in ERA for four consecutive
seasons. In 2008, UL was the only league school with a sub-5.00 ERA.

2009 Louisiana Baseball Media Guide

[UL_Cajuns]

I really don't follow baseball as much as I do Basketball and Football. What kind of year are we looking at? Will Coach Robe bring us back to a regional?

[J-Town Cajun]

I was told by a UL coach to look out for Zach Osbourne to contribute in a big way on the pitching staff this year, possible opening day starter.

Greg Wilborn has come back healthy and is nasty from the left side.

Cook is a starter but may not be the opening day starter that many are to believe.

They would like to keep Justin Robichaux as a relief pitcher.

Expects Will Long to be the most improved player.

Chance Harst will see start somewhere as he will be one of the top hitters. Could play catcher or 1st Base.

He really likes Alex Fuselier as a freshman.

[NOCajun]

I hope someone will step up at catcher this year. That position has been lacking since Lucroy left.


igeaux.mobi

[Textitan]

_ I hope someone will step up at catcher this year. That position has been lacking since Lucroy left.


igeaux.mobi _

You mean that whole 1 year that we have been without him? How did we ever survive?? haha

[Just1More]

Lucroy is missed as a catcher... but a whole lot more as a leader. Baseball doesn't get led by a loudmouth. It gets led by a guy that goes out and gets the job done. His bat did a whole lot to lift the entire line-up. The difference this year needs over last year is for someone (or more) to give the team the edge from a leadership role. Robe knows and uses every method possible of allowing people to step up and lead by example. He just never knows who will or won't. Robe is probably the best coach/mentor UL has ever had in a coach, in any sport.

[CajunCanaille]

_ You mean that whole 1 year that we have been without him? How did we ever survive?? haha _

I was thinking the same thing....lol

[CajunCanaille]

_ Lucroy is missed as a catcher... but a whole lot more as a leader. Baseball doesn't get led by a loudmouth. It gets led by a guy that goes out and gets the job done. His bat did a whole lot to lift the entire line-up. The difference this year needs over last year is for someone (or more) to give the team the edge from a leadership role. Robe knows and uses every method possible of allowing people to step up and lead by example. He just never knows who will or won't. Robe is probably the best coach/mentor UL has ever had in a coach, in any sport. _

I agree with you that this team lacked a leader last year. It looked as though Willie Long was trying to take on the role but not all followed. Someone really needs to step up this year and be a leader.

[TuffGuy84]

_ I hope someone will step up at catcher this year. That position has been lacking since Lucroy left.


igeaux.mobi _

Prior to Griffens illness last year, he was starting to heat up. I think between Griffen and Guillory, we'll be fine behind the plate this year. What I'm worried about is the middle infield. Unless we see dramatic improvement defensively from out Short and Second, we're still gonna get hit by the error bug.

[J-Town Cajun]

A quick assessment of our catcher situation:

1. Chance Harst is our best hitter maybe at any position other than Scott Hawkins. He is also not that bad defensively both blocking and throwing. Harst will play either catcher or first, if first this will open up catcher to the other two.

2. Griffen is by far our best throwing catcher and is ok blocking. The dude has some serious power if he connects with the ball but there lies the problem. My guess is he will strikeout at least 25% of the time this year but he will also drop a few bombs if he gets enough at-bats. This guy has by far the most potential because he has a major league body, arm, power, but he has huge holes in his swing. Griffen will be given his shot because of his potential and the guy turned down a high draft pick because he wanted to come to UL.

3. Dylon Guillory is someone I like but may have a hard time getting playing time. Guillory is a left-handed hitting catcher which are hard to find and he swings a good stick. I have not seen enough of him defensively to make a good judgement but from what I have seen he is ok but not good as the other two.