Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns are getting some time off, and they could use it.

Coach Stefni Lotief's No. 14-ranked Cajuns improved to 24-7 with Tuesday's doubleheader sweep of UL Monroe at Ragin' Cajun Softball Park and won't play again until an April 6 road doubleheader at Nicholls State in Thibodaux.

Once they get back to action, the Cajuns have the potential for 26 more games in the regular season before competing in the May 12-15 Sun Belt Conference Tournament in Bowling Green and gearing up for an expected return to the NCAA Tournament.

"I've always built a break into our schedule, so the players can catch up on family and school," Lotief said. "An old coach I know once told me that it's one of the smartest things I've ever done.

"We've played some tough teams, and it's time to take a breath."

Louisiana has competed in the NFCA Leadoff Classic and the Kia Klassic, meeting up with some of the best programs in the nation. The Cajuns are winless against ranked teams this season, but counted narrow losses to Georgia (2-1) and Arizona (2-0) among those contests.

Last year's squad set a school record with a 60-8 finish, and it's easy to see how this year's team should exceed the 60-game plateau once again.

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Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com