Louisiana's Ragin' Cajun softball team will face its biggest test of the regular season next weekend.
Coach Stefni Lotief's squad will host No. 1-ranked Arizona at Ragin' Cajun Softball Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and they're looking for packed crowds for the occasion.
"We're going to need the community's support," said Lotief, whose team is 22-5 after a disappointing weekend at the Kia Klassic.
"We could use angels in the outfield, behind home plate, everywhere."
Arizona coach Mike Candrea requested the regular-season meeting, a rare venture outside his home state, after the Cajuns knocked his Wildcats out of their own NCAA Regional and a chance at the Women's College World Series last year.
"I don't think they'll hold anything back," Lotief said. "He coached the U.S. Olympic Team, and they stomped the competition last year. Just winning wasn't good enough.
"I think he's got a little vengeance on his mind."
Candrea and co-UL head coach Michael Lotief are friends, and the two talk frequently about hitting philosophies and other matters in the game. It was Candrea who initiated the idea of coming to Louisiana.
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Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com