Looking to extend its eight-game win streak, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Baseball team opens a three-game Sun Belt Conference series on Thursday against Texas State at Bobcat Ballpark.
First pitch for Thursday's opener is scheduled for 6 p.m. Louisiana (17-8, 5-1 SBC) and Texas State (15-10, 4-2 SBC) will continue the Easter Weekend series on Friday at 6 p.m. before concluding on Saturday at 2 p.m.
All three games will be streamed live on ESPN+ with fans in the Lafayette area able to listen on KPEL-FM (96.5) and worldwide on the Varsity Network app.
Louisiana extended its win streak to seven games on Tuesday after claiming a 12-4 win over in-state opponent Grambling. The Ragin' Cajuns have won their last five SBC contests highlighted by a three-game sweep of Old Dominion at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park.
Sophomore Lee Amedee (.310-2-12), Kyle DeBarge (.307-8-28) and Josh Alexander (.306-1-11) are the top regulars in the lineup with John Taylor (.299-3-13), Duncan Pastore (.291-2-14), Conor Higgs (.276-2-10) and Jose Torres (.274-1-13) following.
Louisiana will send left-handers Andrew Herrmann (1-1, 2.54 ERA) and Chase Morgan (1-1, 2.22 ERA) to the mound in the opening two games with Saturday's starter to be determined.
Texas State opened SBC play with series wins against App State and at James Madison. The Bobcats earned a 12-6 win over UTRGV on Tuesday behind a 2-for-3 performance from Alec Patino and 11 runs through the first three innings.
Three players – Kameron Weil (.367-0-7), Ryne Farber (.359-2-18) and Daylan Pena (.350-6-26) – are hitting above .350 for the Bobcats with Aaron Lugo (.318-8-24) and Patino (.318-1-14) next.
Austin Easton (2-1, 4.10 ERA) will start on the mound for Texas State on Thursday with right-hander Sam Hall (1-1, 3.04 ERA) slated to pitch on Friday. The Bobcats will send another right-hander – Drayton Brown (0-2, 3.18 ERA) – to the mound on Saturday.
Louisiana holds a 30-21 lead in the all-time series which dates back to 1985. The Ragin' Cajuns have claimed the last six meetings in the series with three wins each at Russo Park and the SBC Championships in Montgomery, Ala.
The Bobcats hold a 10-6 lead in games played in San Marcos, including a three-game sweep in the 2022 meeting between the schools.
Tickets for Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Baseball are available for purchase on-line at RaginCajuns.com/tickets or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 482-GoUL (4685).
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 26-28 PREVIEW
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (17-8, 5-1 SBC) at Texas State Bobcats (15-10, 4-2 SBC)
DATE/TIMES (dates and times are subject to change)
Thursday – March 28, 6 p.m.
Friday – March 29, 6 p.m.
Saturday – March 30, 2 p.m.
LOCATION/SITE
Bobcat Ballpark (2,500) | San Marcos, Texas
PITCHING MATCHUPS
THURSDAY – 6 p.m.
LOUISIANA | LH Andrew Herrmann (6-3, 215, Jr., Kennesaw, Ga.)
'24 Stats: 1-1, 2.54 ERA, 28.1 IP, 20 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 12 BB, 34 K, .196 OppBA
TEXAS STATE | RH Austin Eaton (6-1, 225, R-Jr., Frisco, Texas)
'24 Stats: 2-1, 4.10 ERA, 26.1 IP, 26 H, 15 R, 12 ER, 10 BB, 21 K, .248 OppBA
FRIDAY – 6 p.m.
LOUISIANA | LH Chase Morgan (6-3, 195, Fr., Cypress, Texas)
'24 Stats: 1-1, 2.22 ERA, 24.1 IP, 15 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 7 BB, 23 K, .174 OppBA
TEXAS STATE | RH Sam Hall (6-1, 193, So., Beaumont, Texas)
'24 Stats: 1-1, 3.04 ERA, 26.2 IP, 26 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 7 BB, 20 K, .252 OppBA
SATURDAY – 2 p.m.
LOUISIANA | TBA
TEXAS STATE | RH Drayton Brown (6-3, 215, Sr., Nacogdoches, Texas)
'24 Stats: 0-2, 3.18 ERA, 17.0 IP, 18 H, 11 R, 6 ER, 9 BB, 19 K, .265 OppBA
RANKINGS
Louisiana – Receiving Votes (NCBWA); RPI - 62
Texas State – Unranked; RPI - 72
RADIO/TV/LIVE STATISTICS
RADIO (Pregame Show starts 30 minutes prior to first pitch)
Station – KPEL-FM 96.5 / The Varsity Network App
Talent – Jay Walker (pxp); Anthony Babineaux (color)
TV/STREAMING
ESPN+
Talent – Brant Freeman (pxp), Ty Harrington (color)