LAFAYETTE (Press Release) – With Louisiana’s Sun Belt Conference opener at Little Rock looming, the Ragin’ Cajuns will play host to two challenging midweek opponents when they welcome New Orleans and Southern Miss to Russo Park on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. First pitch for both contests is set for 6:30 p.m.
Louisiana (6-9) has played in three midweek games this season, all of which have come against in-state opponents, and boasts a 2-1 record in those games after defeating Nicholls State (3-1) and McNeese State (16-10) last week.
In their last outing, the Ragin’ Cajuns dropped the final two games of a three-game series at home to Loyola Marymount. The lone win came on Friday, a 5-0 decision behind stellar pitching and hot bats. Gunner Leger matched the school record for career starts (52) by a pitcher in the contest, going 5.0 innings and allowing no runs and four hits.
Offensively, Orynn Veillon led the charge over the weekend with four hits in 12 at bats, including a triple and a home run. Jonathan Windham also made his presence felt against the Lions, notching a team-best three RBI and recording two hits over the course of the series.
Through 15 games this year, Hunter Kasuls is leading the way at the plate, hitting .320 (16-for-50) with three extra base hits and two RBI to his name.
As it stands, Louisiana’s starting pitchers for both midweek contests are currently TBA.
New Orleans (9-5) enters Tuesday’s game riding a two-game skid, but has posted some impressive victories on the season, including taking two-of-three games from Michigan State and beating Louisiana’s Wednesday opponent, Southern Miss, 2-1.
The Privateers are led by Collin Morrill, who is currently batting .347 in 14 starts with six extra-base hits and 10 RBI. Bailey Holstein will get the start on the hill for the Privateers. The right hander enters the game 1-0 with a 5.56 ERA in 11.1 innings of action this season.
Southern Miss (8-5) is currently riding a four-game winning streak and boasts some big wins on the season as well after sweeping Purdue on opening weekend and topping Mississippi State once in Starkville.
Hunter Slater leads the way at the plate for the Golden Eagles with a team-high 17 hits on the year and is second on the team with 11 RBI. Southern Miss’ pitcher is currently TBA.
Louisiana holds winning records against both opponents all-time with an 83-68 advantage over New Orleans and a 27-22 mark against Southern Miss. The Ragin’ Cajuns have taken nine of the last 10 games against the Privateers and seven of the last 10 from the Golden Eagles, including at least one win against both teams last season.
