Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns baseball team and approximately 1,200 fans gathered Saturday afternoon at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field for the annual Fan Day Festivities to welcome the start of another college baseball season.
Underneath clear skies and temperatures approaching 60 degrees, members of the 2011 Ragin' Cajuns baseball team welcomed fans at the entrance of "The Tigue" with an autograph session from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Posters, pocket schedules and autograph books were given to fans to seek autographs. Complimentary Coca-Cola products and hot dogs were provided for refreshments.
A home run hitting contest featuring Team Ragin' and Team Cajun followed the autograph session. Team Ragin' consisted of Jordan Poirrier, Michael Strentz, Lance Marvel and Tyler Frederick. Team Cajun was comprised of Mike Petello, Chris Sinclair, Alex Fuselier and Trask Switzenberg.
Poirrier opened the contest with four home runs for Team Ragin'. Petello swung the momentum back to Team Cajun with seven blasts. Team Cajun went on to claim the home run hitting contest 17-10.
An introduction of the Diamond Darlings and the 2011 squad and coaching staff occurred prior to the start of a 5 inning contest. On hand to throw out first pitches was former Cajuns Greg Wilborn, Dayton Marze and Scott Dohmann. Dohmann was joined by his sons Ezra and Gavin.
For the 5 inning game, the current Cajuns squad was split into a Red vs. White contest and they were joined by 2010 Cajuns seniors Kyle Olasin (Red) and Justin Robichaux (White).
A four-run outburst in the bottom of the first inning gave the White team a 4-0 edge. Doubles from Poirrier and Marvel drove home three runs and Daniel Nichols added a sacrifice fly.
The first of four RBI from freshman catcher Michael Strentz put the Red team on the scoreboard in the second inning.
Strentz added a bases clearing double in the third inning to cap off a five-run inning that catapulted the Red Team to a 6-4 victory.
Louisiana officially kicks off the 2011 season - which marks the 17th season of the Tony Robichaux Era - on Friday, Feb. 18 when the defending Sun Belt champion Ragin' Cajuns host Southeast Missouri State in a 6 p.m. contest at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field.
HOME RUN CONTEST TALLY SHEET
Team RAGIN' - Jordan Poirrier (4), Michael Strentz (0), Lance Marvel (4), Tyler Frederick (2). TEAM (10)
Team CAJUN - Mike Petello (7), Chris Sinclair (5), Alex Fuselier (4), Trask Switzenberg (1). TEAM (17)
5 INNING GAME LINESCORE
123 45 R H E
RED 015 00 6 3 0
WHITE 400 00 4 4 1