Third baseman Brenn Conrad’s availability could be limited during UL’s upcoming NCAA Baton Rouge Super Regional series at LSU, Ragin’ Cajuns coach Tony Robichaux suggested one day after his club beat Rice 5-2 on Monday to win the NCAA Houston Regional.
Conrad aggravated a pre-existing hamstring injury during the win over Rice while running the bases, and was replaced by fellow third baseman Joe Robbins.
The Lafayette High product was first injured during the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at Troy, which UL won to earned an automatic NCAA Tournament berth.
“We’ll have to see how that leg recovers as the week wears on,” Robichaux said Tuesday.
After getting hurt earlier in the Sun Belt tourney, Robichaux said Conrad “tweaked it” in the SBC tournament title game against South Alabama.
“(He) then got better, then kind of tweaked it again trying to go first to third (against Rice),” Robichaux said. “When you do that kind of twice, it starts to weaken.
“So, maybe we’ll have him at least as a pinch-hitter. Maybe. Don’t know if we’ll have as everyday player yet. We’ll see how (trainer) Brian (Davis) works him back up.”
Conrad has been platooning lately with Robbins at third, with left handed-hitting Conrad starting when right-handed pitchers throw and Robbins starting against lefties.
Robichaux said he was glad the Regional will start on Saturday instead of Friday, as announced late Monday night.
That gives Conrad an extra day to rest and recover, and gives Cajun pitchers – who, like all UL players, got Tuesday off – an extra day to prepare as well.
One other bonus:
“We didn’t have a long travel back (from Houston) – no long flight, or long, log bus ride,” Robichaux said. “You know, we got pretty quick and he (Conrad) was able to start his treatment (Tuesday).”
DEADLINE EXTENDED
With the Baton Rouge Super Regional not starting until Saturday, UL has extended its deadline to request RCAF priority tickets from noon Wednesday to noon Thursday.
Consistent with all postseason events not hosted on the UL campus, RCAF donors receive first priority to purchase tickets for the entire Super Regional. Priority requests will be based on 2015 RCAF Annual Fund donation levels.
UL has an allotment of 600 Super Regional series tickets — the minimum LSU is required to provide, according to NCAA rule.
Vermillion and Louisiana Classics donors may be able to purchase up to four all-session tickets per account, based on availability; donors in other RCAF levels may be able to purchase up to two tickets per account, based on availability.
Tickets cost $18 per game.
RCAF donors who do receive Super Regional tickets to the Super Regionals will automatically be charged for the first two games of the series. If a third game is necessary, donors will be charged at that time.
Ticket requests may be submitted via email at [email protected], in person at the Cajundome box office or by phone at 337-265-2170 by noon Thursday.
Program supporters who would like to increase their chances of being able to buy Baton Rouge Super Regional tickets have until noon Thursday to raise their 2015 RCAF Annual Fund donation level by calling 337-851-2903 or online at RaginCajuns.com.
WATCH-PARTY PLANS
UL will host a watch party at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field for all NCAA Baton Rouge Super Regional games.
Admission is free. Gates will open 30 minutes prior to each game. Fans can watch from the field or from seats. Lawn chairs, blankets umbrellas and small tents are allowed for on-field use.
Concessions will be sold, including all beverages usually available during the season. Free popcorn will be distributed while supplies last. No outside food or beverages will be allowed in The Tigue.
Via- Tim Buckley