The Ragin Cajuns have one more weekend at the Tigue and will host Princeton, Arizona, and Sam Houston State. So let’s take a look through each of the Cajuns potential opponents and who the Cajuns should look out for.
PRINCETON TIGERS
Ivy League Champions
RECORD: 24-19
SIMILAR OPPONENTS: NONE
Pitcher to Watch Out For: Chad Powers. The senior righty has a 6-3 record and a 2.07 ERA. He pitched a complete game shutout against Georgetown on March 20th. If I was a betting man, Powers is the guy that Princeton will put on the bump against the Cajuns on Friday.
Hitters to Watch For: Jesper Horsted and Danny Hoy. These are the best hitters the Tigers have and they should be toward the top of the lineup based off of how they’ve set it up throughout the season. Both haven’t been in a slump of sorts, but the two do have a batting average over .300 this season.
ARIZONA WILDCATS
RECORD: 38-20
SIMILAR OPPONENTS: Rice, Northwestern State, and Tulane. The Wildcats hold a 3-3 record over similar opponents.
Pitcher to Watch Out For: Nathan Bannister. The senior righty currently holds a 9-2 record and a 2.72 ERA, this has to be the Goliath of this pitching staff. Has thrown three complete games this year so expect for him go the distance if needed.
Hitters to Watch For: Zach Gibbons and Cody Ramer. Both have batting averages that are well above .300 and can get runs on the board. This is another pairing that’s at the top of the lineup that the Cajuns need to respect as Gibbons has an on-base percentage of .472 and Ramer has a .452 OBP.
SAM HOUSTON STATE
Southland Conference Champions
RECORD: 41-20
SIMILAR OPPONENTS: Texas Tech, Rice, Texas State, New Orleans, Northwestern State, Nicholls State, Houston, Southeastern Louisiana, and the Cajuns. Cajuns swept the Bearkats to start the season. Have an 8-9 record against similar opponents of the Cajuns.
Pitchers to Watch: Sam Odom and Riley Gossett. Both pitchers hold a 7-0 record on the season. The Cajuns have faced both pitchers at the start of the season and know that Odom can deal as he threw eight innings opening day allowing one run off of two hits and struck out eight in a no decision. However, Gossett pitched in a limited capacity in the series finale, so the Cajuns will need to do a little more research as to what he can do.
Hitters to Watch: Zach Smith. His average is just under .300, but when he hits it, he makes it count with 16 doubles and seven homers on the year. If there’s one player the Cajuns need to take care of, it’s him.
-Clint Domingue