Due to an expected weather system passing through the Gulf South region on Wednesday, No. 15 Louisiana and No. 10 Texas meet in a relocated doubleheader on Thursday, March 18 in Austin, Texas.

The Ragin' Cajuns and Longhorns were originally scheduled to meet at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park on Wednesday, March 17.

Thursday's double header kicks off a five-game trip in the state of Texas for Louisiana that continues Friday-Sunday, March 19-21 in Arlington, Texas against UT Arlington in a Sun Belt Conference series.

Louisiana returns to the softball diamond for the first time since sweeping a three-game set from Memphis on March 6-7.

The Ragin' Cajuns are 9-1 in contests away from Lamson Park (6-1 in true road games; 3-0 in neutral site games).

Louisiana and Texas return to the scene where the nationally ranked clubs split a doubleheader in 2020. Bailey Curry's three-run home run in Game 1 lifted the Ragin' Cajuns to a 3-2 win, then in the nightcap a wind-aided broke a 1-all tie in the 5th inning in Texas' favor.

THIS 'N THAT
Thursday's doubleheader closes out a 10-day break for Louisiana. The time off was extended when last weekend's Sun Belt series with Georgia Southern was postponed by COVID concerns within the Eagles' program.

Ciara Bryan carries a season-best, 10-game hitting streak into the Texas twinbill – the longest streak by a Ragin' Cajun this season.

In each of the three weeks competed, Ciara Bryan has led Louisiana in hitting each time. Bryan hit .500 (8-for-16) at UAB's Green and Gold Classic, finished .435 (10-for-23) over the eight-game stretch the last week of February, and sported a .526 average (10-for-19) the opening week of March.

Over the last five games, the Ragin' Cajuns have excelled in two-out hitting situations – hitting .429 (24-for-56) with 19 two-out RBI.

In the last outing (series finale at Memphis), nine different players tallied at least one base hit in leading the squad to 10 hits in the contest – the eighth outing with double-digit hits.

Jade Gortarez has started the month of March with a five-game hitting streak, producing a .500 average (8-for-16) with five runs scored, three doubles and a home run.

In two previous starts vs. ranked teams (LSU, Oklahoma State), Kandra Lamb yielded just eights hits over 11-2/3 innings pitched.

The March 3 win at McNeese halted a brief two-game losing streak. Since taking over the program in 2018, Gerry Glasco's Ragin' Cajuns have never lost more than two straight.

SERIES HISTORY
Series Record: Texas leads, 11-6
In Austin: Texas leads, 3-2
Last Meeting: 2/25/20 // TX 2, LA 1 (Austin, Texas)
Streak: Texas, +1

Series Notes
- Second straight year meeting in a DH (split 2020 matchup in Austin).
- Louisiana has claimed four of the last five meetings.
- Prior to 2020 meeting, previous regular season matchup came in 2014.

NUMBERS TO KNEAUX
12: Number of Ragin' Cajuns who have hit at least one home run in the 2021 season
17: Ciara Bryan has reached base all 17 games. She sports a team-best .523 on base percentage
11: Justice Milz has produced at least one RBI in 11 of the past 14 games
12-0: Louisiana's record when scoring five or more runs in a game this season
2: Summer Ellyson is two wins shy of her 80th career victory. Would become the 6th Ragin' Cajun pitcher to reach the mark.
53: Team-leading strikeouts by Kandra Lamb, representing her personal season-high total

A QUICK LOOK AT THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Infield: The Ragin' Cajuns have one of the best infield units in the country as both Alissa Dalton (returning shortstop) and Jade Gortarez are on the field together on the left side, covering shortstop and third base. Sure-handed second baseman Kaitlyn Alderink leads the way in securing the right side. Georgia transfer Justice Milz took over at first base following the untimely injury to Taylor Roman. Melissa Mayeux will also be in the mix with the group, available to play at any position.

Outfield: Returning center fielder Raina O'Neal (.329 average and nearly 30 extra base hits previous two seasons) is out for at least the regular season with an injury. Ciara Bryan has taken over in center field and is showing signs that she'll continue the performance that made her one of the most dynamic hitters in the nation during the COVD-19 shortened season. Kendall Talley has assumed duties in left field, while Julie Rawls has seen most of the time in right field since O'Neal's injury. Once fully recovered from a preseason injury, Jenna Kean adds speed that rivals single-season stolen base record holder Keeli Milligan.

Pitchers: Efforts in the circle are led by Summer Ellyson once again. She led the nation in wins (39) in 2019, and was off to an 11-1 start (1.83 ERA) in 2020 with wins over Oklahoma State, Ole Miss and Florida (twice). Kandra Lamb has emerged as the front-runner for the No. 2 spot following solid outings in her first career starts against ranked teams (at Louisiana State, vs. Oklahoma State). Casey Dixon, Vanessa Foreman and Karly Heath provide added depth and options to shorten innings pitched for Ellyson and Lamb.

Catchers: The mainstay from the past two seasons, Julie Rawls, is joined by Bailey Curry and Melissa Mayeux who trained at the position in preseason practice. Curry and Mayeux should allow for a rotation at the position which would prevent Rawls from having to catch every game to keep her fresh for the postseason. Rawls has led the Ragin' Cajuns in slugging percentage the past two seasons.


UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Following the doubleheader in Austin, Louisiana opens Sun Belt Conference play Friday-Sunday, March 19-21 at Allan Saxe Field in Arlington, Texas with a three-game series against UT Arlington. The Ragin' Cajuns and Mavericks begin the series Friday at 7:30 p.m., followed by matchups at 2 p.m. and Noon on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.