LAFAYETTE — Matt Deggs thought the emotions of the Cajuns' season opener jammed up the bats Friday as Louisiana fell to Southeastern 3-2.
Before the game the Cajuns retired the late Tony Robichaux's number 36. His family and former player filled the infield Friday night for the pregame ceremony. Tony's sons also threw out first pitches.
In the game, the Cajuns; junior college transfer Conor Angel worked into a first inning jam, but a 6-3 double play ended the inning. Angel settled from there and was lights out, striking out 7. He allow 2 hits and one run.
That run came in the sixth, after Angel walked off the mound, relief pitcher Jeff Wilson walked a batter, then surrendered a three-run home run to Brandon Hale. the three-run home run gave the Lions a 3-0 lead.
The Cajuns got one back in the bottom of the inning when Nick Hagedorn hit an automatic double to left. Louisiana got another run back on a fielder's choice in the seventh, but ultimately could complete the comeback. The Cajuns bats were held to five hits. Louisiana struck out 16 times.
"I like the way we played. We punched out 30 times, or whatever. We'll correct that," said Deggs. "A lot of it was nerves and sometimes you can want something too much. There were a lot of emotions. You look at since July 3rd there were a lot of emotions. You'll see us settle in and tomorrow is a brand new day. We'll see what happens."