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Cajuns host Texas State for weekend series

Posted at 7:09 PM, Apr 25, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-25 20:09:32-04

LAFAYETTE (Press Release) – It will be a special weekend at the ballpark as 80 former players will return for the program’s annual Alumni Weekend when Louisiana welcomes Texas State to Russo Park. Game times are set for 6:30 p.m., on Friday, 4 p.m., on Saturday and 1 p.m., on Sunday.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (20-24, 8-10) have their work cut out for them as they look to snap a four-game skid and make their way up the league standings with only four Sun Belt series remaining on the schedule before the conference tournament.

Through 44 games this season, junior Todd Lott continues to lead the charge with a .323 (43-for-133) batting average, while sophomore Hayden Cantrelle leads the team in total bases (91), hits (54) and stolen bases (26). Cantrelle’s stolen bag total is the most since John Coker stole 29 in 2005.

Senior Handsome Monica is the team leader in home runs with 11 dingers on the season, the second most in the Sun Belt and the most since Steven Sensley also hit 11 for the Ragin’ Cajuns in 2017.

The offense continues to make a splash in the national statistical rankings as its 44 home runs ranks 31st in the NCAA and its 80 stolen bases is good for 15th nationally.

On the hill, juniors Brandon Young (2-4, 4.04 ERA) and Jack Burk (1-1, 3.58 ERA) will start on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Sunday’s starter is listed as TBA.

Texas State (28-13, 12-6) has been on an absolute tear as of late, winning its last seven games including a sweep against Arkansas State and a 7-6 victory over Texas in its most recent outing on Tuesday.

Jaxon Williams paces the offense with a .350 average on the back of a team-best 56 hits, while Jaylen Hubbard has been an extra-base hit machine for the Bobcats with 20, including 11 doubles and five homers.

The Bobcats have also announced their starting rotation, with Nicholas Fraze (6-3, 4.65 ERA) getting the start on Friday, Hunter McMahon (4-4, 4.83 ERA) starting Saturday and Connor Reich (5-1, 2.94 ERA) getting the nod on Sunday.

Louisiana leads the all-time series over Texas State, 22-13, but the Bobcats have had the edge as of late after winning the last three meetings. However, the Ragin’ Cajuns have an advantage this weekend as they are 11-5 against the Bobcats in Lafayette.