Four of them showed up on the University of Louisiana campus only two months after the Ragin' Cajuns' unprecedented run to Omaha in 2000.

Two others came in the first class that was recruited right after that College World Series trip.

Three of them earned their college degrees before the 2005 season even began. Three more will receive their parchment prior to Sunday's game.

It's an impressive group, those 16 seniors that, barring a host position for an NCAA regional, occupy Moore Field's third-base dugout for the final time this weekend.

It's not impressive because of its numbers, even though the total is more than all but a small fraction of college baseball teams in the country.

It's not because of its huge successes. The fifth-year seniors have never played for a losing team, but they've also advanced to NCAA play only once.

It's impressive because 16 people have bought into Tony Robichaux's system, and that's not the easiest thing for players unless they're as dedicated to success as the Cajun coach.

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Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com