WALLY PONTIFF JR. FOUNDATION AND CLASSIC

The Wally Pontiff Jr. Foundation was established in memory of LSU’s All-SEC third baseman who died in 2002 at age 21 due to heart abnormalities. Proceeds from the Classic will benefit numerous charitable organizations in the New Orleans area.

Zephyr Field is home to the New Orleans Zephyrs, AAA-affiliate of the Florida Marlins. Opened in 1997, the park holds 10,000 spectators and will admit its 5,000,000th fan this season. Zephyr Field was the site of an NCAA Super Regional in 2001 and the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in 1999, in which the Cajuns went 2-2, earning at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. In 2001, the Cajuns traveled back to Zephyr Field for a regular season game with LSU. The Cajuns lost 12-7 during the April 10 contest.

This is the second straight season the two programs meet, and the second ime this season, with LSU holding a 44-22 advantage following a Cajuns win earlier this year.

After a 2002 meeting in the NCAA Regional at Baton Rouge, the teams did not meet for five years. The series resumed last season at Alex Box Stadium with an 5-3 LSU victory on April 29.

The teams have split the last six meetings, but LSU owns an 8-4 advantage in the Robichaux Era. This is the third meeting since Paul Mainieri took the Tigers’ coaching reins. Prior to the 9-8 UL victory on March 11 this year, the last two UL wins were shutouts: 5-0 on June 1, 2002, in the NCAA Regional at Baton Rouge and 7-0 in a regular season meeting on March 19, 2002. The Cajuns and Tigers met in NCAA Regional play in 1990, 1991 and 2002.


UL Press