Monica Lifts Cajuns Baseball To Series Win Over Appalachian State

[NewsCopy]

Junior catcher Handsome Monica came through with a walk-off squeeze bunt in the ninth as the 14th-ranked Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns baseball team defeated Appalachian State 4-3 on Sunday at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park to claim the squads fourth straight series victory of the year.

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UL SI

[Boomer]

Junior catcher Handsome Monica came through with a walk

[Boomer]

Photo sure captures the thrill of victory----a keeper for the grand kids to see!!!

[moorecajun]

I love his enthusiasm and hope he continues to improve during the season!

GEAUX CAJUNS!

[LaCajunsFan]

I love his enthusiasm and hope he continues to improve during the season!

GEAUX CAJUNS!

Same here....i look for many good things from this guy as time goes by.

[GreatestStory]

I'm happy we won the game, won the series, and for Monica to get his name in the headlines for being able to lay down a successful bunt.

I think Kennon Fontenot leading off the 9th with a double to put himself (the winning run) on second is deserving of recognition.

Congrats on winning the series.
GEAUX CAJUNS

[moorecajun]

I'm happy we won the game, won the series, and for Monica to get his name in the headlines for being able to lay down a successful bunt.

I think Kennon Fontenot leading off the 9th with a double to put himself (the winning run) on second is deserving of recognition.

Congrats on winning the series.
GEAUX CAJUNS

You are right! There is nobody to bunt in if he doesn't start it off like that!

[DocCajun]

You are right! There is nobody to bunt in if he doesn't start it off like that!

Also recall that Fontenot was down 0-2 and battle back to full count, fouled off several pitches and THEN got the hit. That was a GREAT AB

[LaCajunsFan]

You are right! There is nobody to bunt in if he doesn't start it off like that!

Yes indeed....glad you both pointed that out. He worked his way out of 0-2 count before the hit....He was the first cog in the winning machine!

[ManAboutTown]

I'm happy we won the game, won the series, and for Monica to get his name in the headlines for being able to lay down a successful bunt.

I think Kennon Fontenot leading off the 9th with a double to put himself (the winning run) on second is deserving of recognition.

Congrats on winning the series.
GEAUX CAJUNS

I don't think people realize how important Kennon has been for us this year. He's become a sneaky good defensive OF and has so many quality ABs.

[CajunAmos]

I don't think people realize how important Kennon has been for us this year. He's become a sneaky good defensive OF and has so many quality ABs.

His batting average of 0.300 is actually higher than I thought it was before checking. My issue is we are averaging almost one strikeout per every four at bats. The team batting average is up to 0.269, but that has to continue to improve. You can get away with a lower batting average if you're average is good when you have runners in scoring position, but unfortunately ours hasn't been very good.

[ManAboutTown]

His batting average of 0.300 is actually higher than I thought it was before checking. My issue is we are averaging almost one strikeout per every four at bats. The team batting average is up to 0.269, but that has to continue to improve. You can get away with a lower batting average if you're average is good when you have runners in scoring position, but unfortunately ours hasn't been very good.

IMO, our brand of baseball is very hard on hitters. We essentially give our hitters fewer opportunities by relying on the timely hit. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just my personal opinion that this kind of offense is more taxing on the man at the plate.

It's also interesting that we are attracting bigger and better recruits with some interesting results. Touted recruits are not touted because they can play situationally, bunt, have a knack for when to steal, understand counts, be disciplined at the plate and execute squeezes. Usually, the more talented and touted guys get recognized because of eye popping numbers, producing runs, being atheltic, hitting HRs, gap power, etc. The crux of the matter is, those kind of players rarely accel at small ball. It has to be taught to them, mostly from scratch.

Something interesting to think about.