The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Baseball team opens its third, five-game week of the season beginning on Tuesday when it plays host to in-state rival Louisiana Tech at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park.
irst pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Following the first of two meetings with Louisiana Tech (16-16), Louisiana will travel to Hammond on Wednesday to face in-state foe Southeastern Louisiana (16-16) in a 6 p.m. contest at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+ with fans in the Lafayette area able to listen to the games on 103.3 The Goat, 1420 AM and worldwide on the Varsity Network app.
Louisiana (23-9), ranked No. 28 by Collegiate Baseball, capped off an unbeaten week on Saturday with an 8-2 victory at Marshall to complete a three-game sweep. The Ragin' Cajuns opened the week with an 8-7 win over in-state rival Tulane before taking the first two games against the Thundering Herd, 8-4 and 5-2.
The Ragin' Cajuns, who are 8-2 overall when playing five games in a week, ranked fourth nationally in stolen bases (98) and are fifth in stolen bases per game (3.06). Louisiana leads the Sun Belt Conference in fielding percentage (.978), hits allowed per nine innings (7.40), sacrifice flies (22), shutouts (4) and WHIP (1.31).
Heath Hood, who had his streak of 48 consecutive games of reaching base dating back to last snapped in Saturday's win at Marshall, leads Louisiana at the plate with a .376 average. Kyle DeBarge (.352-4-20), John Taylor (.333-4-22), Julian Brock (.327-8-39) and Carson Roccaforte (.307-2-24) are next in hitting for the Ragin' Cajuns.
Right-hander Brendan Moody (0-3, 4.55 ERA) will earn the start in Tuesday's contest against Louisiana Tech with Wednesday's starter at SLU to be determined.
Louisiana Tech comes off a weekend where it took two of three games at Conference USA rival Rice. The Bulldogs opened the season splitting a four-game series against BYU.
Logan McLeod (.299-0-13), Walker Burchfield (.276-2-16) and Adrian Myers (.276-2-14) are the top hitters for the Bulldogs with right-hander Reed Smith (1-3, 9.24 ERA) slated to start on the mound.
SLU was swept in a three-game Southland Conference series at New Orleans and have dropped its last six games. Tyler Finke (.313-2-24), Shea Thomas (.300-3-30) and Jake Killingworth (.271-0-24) are the top three hitters for the Lions. SLU's starter for Wednesday's game is to be determined.
Single-game tickets are available by visiting the Louisiana Athletics Box Office at the Cajundome or purchasing by visiting Account Manager. For more information call the Louisiana Athletics Box Office at the Cajundome at (337) 265-2104.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
For the latest updates on Ragin' Cajuns baseball, follow on Facebook (RaginCajunsBaseball), Twitter (@RaginCajunsBSB) and Instagram (@RaginCajunsBSB) or check RaginCajuns.com.
GAMES 33-34 PREVIEW
Game 33 - Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (23-9, 9-3 SBC) vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (16-16, 6-6 C-USA)
Game 34 - Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (23-9, 9-3 SBC) at Southeastern Louisiana Lions (16-16, 3-6 SLC)
DATE/TIMES (dates and times are subject to change)
Tuesday, April 11 – 6 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12 – 6 p.m.
LOCATION/SITE
M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park (6,015) | Lafayette, La.
Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field (2,500) | Hammond, La.
PITCHING MATCHUPS
TUESDAY – 6 p.m.
LOUISIANA | RH Brendan Moody (6-2, 220, Jr., Iowa, La.)
'23 Stats: 0-3, 4.55 ERA, 29.2 IP, 22 H, 17 R, 15 ER, 10 BB, 27 K, .210 OppBA
LOUISIANA TECH | RH Reed Smith (6-2, 225, Jr., Lufkin, Texas)
'23 Stats: 1-3, 9.24 ERA, 25.1 IP, 31 H, 28 R, 26 ER, 7 BB, 18 K, .284 OppBA
WEDNESDAY – 6 p.m. CT / 6 p.m. ET
LOUISIANA | TBA
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA | TBA
RANKINGS (RPI)
Louisiana (67) – No. 28 (Collegiate Baseball); Receiving Votes (USA Today Coaches' Poll)
Louisiana Tech (143) – Not ranked
Southeastern Louisiana (123) – Not ranked
RADIO/TV/LIVE STATISTICS
RADIO (Pregame Show starts 30 minutes prior to first pitch)
Station – 103.3 The Goat / 1420 AM / The Varsity Network App
Talent – Jay Walker (pxp); Brad Topham (color – Tues.); Anthony Babineaux (color – Wed.)
STREAMING (ESPN+)
Tuesday (vs. Louisiana Tech)
Dan McDonald (pxp); Brennen Breaux (color)
LIVE STATS
Tuesday - CajunStats.com
Wednesday - RaginCajuns.com, LionSports.net
SERIES RECORD
vs. Louisiana Tech – Louisiana leads, 83-71
vs. SLU – Louisiana leads, 83-74
WHAT'S ON DECK
Louisiana concludes its five-game week beginning on Friday when it hosts Troy in a Sun Belt Conference showdown at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park. The series starts on Friday (April 14) at 6 p.m. with the series resuming on Saturday (April 15) at 4 p.m.
The final game of the series is scheduled for Sunday (April 16) at 1 p.m. Sunday's game ONLY will be streamed on ESPN+.