Cajuns Open Homestand With A Pair Of Midweek Contests

THE MID-WEEK GAMES
Dates: Tuesday, April 19, 2016/Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Location: Lafayette, La.
Site: M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field (3,755)
Times: 6:00 p.m./6:00 p.m.
Opponent: Nicholls (16-21)/McNeese (22-12)
Radio: ESPN 1420-AM
Television: none
Live Stats: www.RaginCajuns.com

STARTING PITCHERS
Tuesday: RHP Evan Guillory (UL) vs. LHP Mike Hanchar (NICH)
Wednesday: TBA (UL) vs. TBA (McN)

LAFAYETTE, La. – The 20th-ranked Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns baseball team is set to open a five-game homestand as the Cajuns host a pair of in-state foes in the midweek starting Tuesday at 6 p.m. against Nicholls at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field.

Following the matchup with the Colonels, the Ragin' Cajuns face McNeese on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at The Tigue.

Both contests will be broadcast on ESPN 1420-AM with Jay Walker making the call. Live stats and video are available on RaginCajuns.com.

Louisiana (24-12, 10-5 Sun Belt) climbed back into the top 25 in three of the five polls and saw a rise in a fourth this week. The Cajuns climbed to No. 20 in the NCBWA rankings, while checking in at No. 24 in the D1Baseball, Baseball America and USA Today Coaches polls.

The Ragin' Cajuns have won 12 of their last 15 contests after going 3-1 last week including a 9-2 win over previously ranked Tulane and a series win over Southeastern Louisiana.

Sophomore right-hander Evan Guillory will make the start against Nicholls. Guillory is 3-3 with a 2.98 ERA in eight starts. The Jennings, La., native has posted quality start in four games this season including his last two starts at The Tigue.

Junior Joe Robbins was named the Sun Belt Player of the Week after going 7-for-15 in four games with a double, two home runs, five RBI and scored four runs. Robbins and Kyle Clement are tied for the team lead in average hitting .333 on the season.

Robbins leads the squad with 25 RBI, while senior Brian Mills is second with 24 RBI and a .299 average.

The Cajuns lead the all-time series with McNeese State holding a 91-64 edge. The Cowboys won the only meeting between the two teams taking a 7-2 decision in Lake Charles, La.

The Ragin' Cajuns hold a 70-53-1 all-time series edge over Nicholls. Louisiana battled back from a 4-2 deficit with three runs in the ninth inning to defeat the Colonels in Thibodaux, La. earlier this year.

Nicholls (16-21, 7-11 Southland) has won four of its last six contests taking series from Incarnate Word and Central Arkansas. The Colonels are 5-11 on the road this season.

Junior left-hander Mike Hanchar will make the start on the mound for Nicholls. Hanchar is 0-4 with an 8.49 ERA in 12 appearances including five starts.

The Colonels are hitting .277 on the year with 51 doubles, 11 triples and three home runs. Kyle Knauth paces the squad offensively hitting .340 with a team-best 10 doubles and 22 RBI.

McNeese (22-12, 12-6 Southland) have won eight of their last night contests including midweek victories against Houston and LSU. The Cowboys are coming off of a series win over Lamar taking the final two games this past weekend 5-4 and 1-0.

Connor Crane leads a McNeese State offense that is hitting .277 on the season with 62 doubles, 10 triples and 19 home runs. Crane has a team-best .364 average with 12 doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 28 RBI.

The Ragin' Cajuns close out the five-game homestand with a three-game series against Texas State starting Friday at 6 p.m. at The Tigue.

For updates and info on Louisiana baseball, follow the team on twitter @CajunsBaseball or check RaginCajuns.com.

-- Ragin' Cajuns --

Cajuns Open Homestand With A Pair Of Midweek Contests

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kyle Clement

Evan Guillory

Brian Mills

Joe Robbins

Footer

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics