The Ragin’ Cajuns season opener began by paying tribute to a legend, and unfortunately ended with a defeat.
The man first-year University of Louisiana baseball coach Matt Deggs replaced, the late Tony Robichaux, was honored with a brief ceremony and video presentation before the game on Friday night. The Ragin’ Cajuns though was unable to cap the evening with a win for Robe as Southeastern Louisiana defeated No. 24 UL 3-2.
How It Happened:
SLU started the game with by drawing back-to-back walks and having Champ Artigues reach first with a swinging infield single. UL’s Conor Angel though managed to get out of the jam by striking out Preston Faulkner and then getting Brandon Hale to hit into a double play.
Angel settled down giving up one more hit while striking out seven Lions.
UL couldn’t get anything going at the plate.
SLU’s Trey Shaffer put on quite a performance on Friday night as the LIons ace struck out 10 of the 20 batters he faced.
The game though would open up in the top of the sixth inning.
After retiring the first two batters he faced, Angel walked Artigues and was pulled for Jeff Wilson. The junior righty gave up a single to Faulkner and then surrendered a three-run home run to Hale — a blast that hit the left field foul pole and bounced back into the field.
UL got a run across in the bottom of the frame.
Connor Kimble led off with a single and scored three batters later on a ground rule double by Nick Hagedon.
UL plated another run in the bottom of the eighth when former St. Thomas More star Brennan Breaux, who led off with a single and reached second on an error, scored on a ground out by pinch hitter Justin Green.
UL led off the ninth inning with a single by Jonathan Windham.
The Ragin’ Cajuns were unable to get him across home plate as Brandon Talley, and Sebastian Toro all struck out to end the game.
Big Number: 15
The Ragin’ Cajuns hitters struck out 15 times in Friday’s season opener. UL particularly struggled against SLU starter Schaffer as he fanned 10 batters and struck out every single Cajuns starter in the lineup.
Player of the Game: Conor Angel
After brief first-inning struggles, the University of Louisiana junior put together a fine performance on the mound. Angel gave up only two hits, one run, striking out seven SLU hitters in 5 2/3 innings.
Next Up: UL hosts Louisiana Tech on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.