The undefeated LSU Fighting Tigers (7-0) welcome the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin Cajuns (7-1) to Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field on Tuesday night at 6:30pm. LSU comes into tonight’s game with a 34 game midweek winning streak on the line, including 32 straight against teams from the state of Louisiana. This will be the first meeting of nationally ranked Louisiana schools since 2008 when LSU defeated UNO at Zephyr Field in 15 innings. LSU has won 10 of the last 14 meetings with ULL including both matchups last season, one of which was the Baton Rouge Regional Championship game. Below we get to know the 2014 Louisiana-Lafayette Cajuns a little bit more.
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns Record: 7-1
Conference: 0-0 Sun Belt
Non-Conf: 7-1
Home: 3-1
Road: 4-0
Neutral: 0-0
Overview:
Tony Robichaux’s Cajuns enter tonight’s matchup having won 7 in a row after dropping their season opener. One year ago ULL was a 2 seed in Baton Rouge as an at-large selection, finishing 3rd in the Sun Belt Conference and eventually losing to LSU in the regional championship. In 2014, Louisiana-Lafayette is the preseason favorite to win the conference and have 6 players represented on the preseason all-conference team, including the preseason Sun Belt pitcher of the year in Austin Robichaux and player of the year in Caleb Adams. ULL enters the game tonight ranked by all of the major polls, and as high as #10 by Baseball America.
(LSU numbers in parentheses)
RPI: 97 (18)
vs Top 25: 0-0 (1-0)
vs Top 50: 3-1 (1-0)
vs Top 100: 3-1 (3-0)
Avg runs scored/game: 6.5 (7.1)
Avg runs allowed/game: 3.5 (1.3)
Starting Pitching:
Team ERA: 2.64 (1.00)
LSU sends out junior Cody Glenn who will be making his second midweek start against an in-state foe. Cody has appeared in 2 games, throwing 6 innings and allowing just 1 earned run. If this were a weekend series, Lafayette would throw ace Austin Robichaux (1-1) followed by former LSU pitcher Carson Baranik (1-0), who has a found a nice place at the number 2 starter at ULL after spending a season at Miami Dade CC. Instead, the Cajuns will counter with junior Greg Milhorn (1-0). Much like Glenn, Milhorn will likely end up as a weekend starter once conference play rolls around, and a solid outing vs. LSU would solidify him in that Sunday spot. The 6’2 righty has thrown 7 and a third innings on the season with 1 start and 1 relief appearance, allowing only 2 hits and no runs in those frames. Opponents are batting a measly .083 against Milhorn on this young season.
Tuesday's Pitching Matchup:
Jr. LHP Cody Glenn (1-0, 1.50 ERA, 6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, .333 OBA)
Jr. RHP Greg Milhorn (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, .083 OBA)
Relief Pitching:
The Cajuns have a strong and deep bullpen in 2014. Senior Matt Hicks leads the team with 5 appearances, throwing 8.0 innings allowing just 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5 and recording 1 save. Two-way player Ryan Wilson will be a solid contributor to the bullpen this season as well as at the plate. The lefty pitcher/outfielder has been a situational arm so far this year appearing in 4 games throwing 2.2 innings surrendering 4 hits, 2 walks 2 K’s, and recording a save. The guy everyone is talking about is true freshman righty Reagan Bazar, who is said to be sitting in the upper 90’s with his fastball and even touched 100mph on some guns and upper 80’s with his slider. Bazar has some control problems, but once he learns to manage his arm, he will be a solid closer for the Cajuns. Bazar has a 1.80 ERA in 5.0 IP, recording 1 save, giving up 2 hits and striking out 4, walking 5, hitting a guy, and throwing 1 wild pitch.
Offense: (LSU numbers in parentheses)
Team BA: .272 (.289)
Team OBP: .384 (.394)
Team SLG: .419 (.396)
UL Lafayette is lead at the plate by preseason Player of the Year Caleb Adams. He displays big power hitting 16 home runs last year, which ranked 9th in the nation. Adams averaged .339 last year and has hit .375 (6 for 16) so far in 2014 with 3 doubles, a triple, and a .524 OBP. Leadoff man Seth Harrison has struck out an insane 12 times already, which could possibly send Caleb Adams to the top of the lineup tonight. Harrison is still hitting for a .333 average and a ridiculous .500 BABIP. Shortstop Blake Trahan is off to a nice start hitting .320, as well as LSU-E transfer Even Powell who is hitting .319 with a homer and 4 RBIs in his 5 games played.
Louisiana-Lafayette Projected Lineup:
1) CF – Seth Harrison (.333 avg / 1 HR / 3 RBI)
2) 2B – Jace Conrad (.219/1/6)
3) 3B – Ryan Leonards (.250/0/4)
4) 1B – Chase Compton (.235/0/5)
5) DH – Tyler Girouard (.278/0/2)
6) LF – Caleb Adams (.375/0/1)
7) RF – Evan Powell (.316/1/4)
8) C – Michael Strentz (.359/1/5)
9) SS – Blake Trahan (.320/0/4)
Defense:
The Cajuns’ fielding percentage is a solid .985, they are lead by athletic middle infielders Trahan and Conrad, who have turned 7 double plays already. LSU is fielding .981 this season.
Season Stats
Roster
Schedule (via Warren Nolan)
Media Coverage:
TV – CST
Online: GeauxZone
Radio – 98.1 FM (check local listings for your LSU sports radio network affiliate)
PREDICTION: If the weather holds off long enough to get this one in, fans at The Box are in for a treat tonight. This is the first ranked team in The Box midweek since March 2006. I see ULL jumping out to an early lead riding high emotions, but as Glenn settles in the Tigers take the lead and hold on for a nice win over their toughest test before Vanderbilt next month. ULL 2, LSU 3
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