PRESS RELEASE
HE MIDWEEK GAMES
Dates: Tuesday, April 10/Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Location: Lafayette, La.
Site: Russo Park (4,850)
Times: 6:30 p.m./6:30 p.m.
Opponent: McNeese (13-19)/Southeastern Louisiana (24-11)
Radio: ESPN 1420-AM
Television: Cox Sports Television
Live Stats: www.RaginCajuns.com
STARTING PITCHERS
Tuesday: LHP Hogan Harris (LA) vs. RHP Cayne Ueckert (McN)
Wednesday: TBA (LA) vs. TBA (SLU)
LAFAYETTE, La. – The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns baseball team continues its five-game homestand on Tuesday as the Cajuns host McNeese in a 6:30 p.m. contest at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park.
The Ragin’ Cajuns then host Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. to close out the homestand.
As part of the Sun Belt Conference initiative to promote Mental Health Awareness week, the Cajuns baseball team will wear kelly green wrist bands during the McNeese contest to bring attention to the issue. Additionally, social media graphics pertaining to the game will also feature kelly green.
Fans that purchase tickets to both the Tuesday and Wednesday games will get a free ticket to both Tuesday and Wednesday games. Additionally, each set of tickets purchased will include a coupon for a free hotdog or hamburger. Tickets must be purchased either at the Cajundome Box Office Monday or Tuesday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or at the Russo Park Box Office Tuesday afternoon starting at 4:30 p.m.
Where to Listen/Watch
Both games will be broadcast on Cox Sports Television (CST) and simulcast on ESPN3 outside of the CST viewing areas. Jeff Palermo and Tommy Krysan will be on the call Tuesday, while Lyn Rollins and Ronnie Rantz will call the action on Wednesday.
Fans can also listen to the games on ESPN 1420-AM with Jay Walker and Brad Topham providing play-by-play. Live stats are available on RaginCajuns.com.
Schmidt Named LSWA Pitcher of the Week
Senior Colten Schmidt became the first Cajuns player to earn LSWA honors this season as he was named the LSWA Pitcher of the Week on Monday. Schmidt had a career outing against West Division leader UT Arlington tossing eight shutout innings to claim his third victory of the year for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
The left-hander struck out a career-best 10 while limiting the Mavericks to three hits. Schmidt retired 18 of the last 20 batters he faced in the contest. The La Porte, Texas native ranks third in the SBC and 12th in the nation with a 1.26 ERA allowing just one run in his last 17 innings of work.
The Series
Louisiana holds a 94-64 lead in the all-time series with McNeese having won three straight in the series after defeating the Cowboys 5-2 earlier this season. The Ragin’ Cajuns have won 11 of the last 12 home meetings in the series with the only loss coming in 2015 in a 17-inning contest.
The Cajuns are 31-16 all-time against the Cowboys with head coach Tony Robichaux at the helm including an 18-4 record in Lafayette.
The Ragin’ Cajuns (1-2) hold a 65-51 edge over Southeastern Louisiana in the all-time series. Robichaux is 21-16 all-time against the Lions including a 12-5 mark at home having won four of the last five meetings in Lafayette.
Scouting Louisiana
Louisiana (15-17) is coming off of a series win over Sun Belt West Division leader UT Arlington claiming a pair of victories 2-0 and 4-2 before falling 4-2 in 10 innings in the series finale. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 6-2 in midweek games this year including a 2-0 mark at home.
Junior Daniel Lahare has taken over the best average on the team hitting .295 with four doubles, one triple, one home run and 21 runs scored. Junior Hunter Kasuls continues to lead the squad in RBI with 23 coming on six doubles, three triples and two home runs, while senior Kennon Fontenot is second on the team with 20 RBI.
Scouting McNeese
McNeese (13-19) claimed a series victory over Abilene Christian last weekend taking two out of three with 3-2 and 6-2 victories sandwiched around a 9-3 loss. The Cowboys are 5-7 on the road this year and 3-5 in midweek games.
Offensively, McNeese is hitting .239 as a team with 39 doubles, seven triples and 23 home runs while averaging 4.3 runs per game. Shane Selman has the only average over .300 on the season hitting .302 with eight doubles, a triple, six home runs and 19 RBI.
Scouting Southeastern Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana (24-11) has won seven of their last 10 contests after taking two of three from Texas A&M Corpus Christi last weekend. The Lions are 9-2 in midweek games this season with the only losses coming to South Alabama and Jackson State.
Cody Grosse is one of three SLU players batting over .300 on the year with a .324 average including eight doubles, one triple and 15 RBI. Kyle Schimpf has a team-best 32 RBI coming on six doubles and five home runs, while Drew Avans has six doubles, two triples, a team-high six home runs and 28 RBI.
Up Next
The Ragin’ Cajuns return to Sun Belt Conference play this weekend with three games at Appalachian State starting Friday at 5 p.m. CT at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium. Game two of the series is set for 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, while the team close out the series on Sunday with an 11 a.m. CT start.