HOUSTON – The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Baseball team opens its 110th season of intercollegiate baseball on Friday when it opens a three-game series against Conference USA member Rice at Reckling Park.
First pitch for Friday’s opener is set for 6:30 p.m. with the teams resuming the series on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1. All three games will be streamed live on CUSA.tv and can be heard in the Lafayette area on KPEL-FM (96.5) and worldwide on the Varsity Network app.
Louisiana, the defending Sun Belt Conference Tournament champions, finished 37-23 after reaching the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2016. The Ragin’ Cajuns return six position starters from the 2022 squad, led by Preseason All-SBC selections Carson Roccaforte (.374-16-68) and Julian Brock (.303-7-35).
Rice (17-39), under second-year coach Jose Cruz, Jr., was picked to finish eighth in the CUSA Preseason Poll and will host Louisiana in a three-game series for the first time since the 1993 season.
GAMES 1-3 PREVIEW
Louisiana (37-23 in 2022) at Rice (17-39 in 2022)
DATES/TIMES (time is subject to change)
February 17 – 6:30 p.m.
February 18 – 2 p.m.
February 19 – 1 p.m.
LOCATION/SITE
Reckling Park (6,193) | Houston, Texas
PITCHING MATCHUPS
FRIDAY – 6:30 p.m.
LOUISIANA | RH Jake Hammond (6-3, 230, Sr., Monroe, La.)
‘22 Stats: 3-1, 3.77 ERA, 1 Sv., 31.0 IP, 19 H, 14 R, 13 ER, 16 BB, 36 K, .183 OppBA
RICE | RH Parker Smith (6-4, 230, So., Houston, Texas)
‘22 Stats: 2-3, 4.19 ERA, 43.0 IP, 49 H, 32 R, 20 ER, 12 BB, 23 K, .292 OppBA
SATURDAY - 2 p.m.
LOUISIANA | RH Blake McGehee (5-11, 190, r-Fr., Tioga, La.)
‘22 Stats: Redshirt season at Ole Miss
RICE | TBA
SUNDAY - 1 p.m.
LOUISIANA | RH Jackson Nezuh (6-1, 180, Jr., St. Cloud, Fla.)
‘22 Stats (at Florida State): 1-0, 8.22 ERA, 15.1 IP, 18 H, 18 R, 15 ER, 12 BB, 15 K
RICE | TBA
RANKINGS
Louisiana – Receiving Votes (NCBWA, Collegiate Baseball)
Rice – Receiving Votes (USA Today Coaches Poll)
RADIO/TV/LIVE STATISTICS
Radio – KPEL-FM (96.5)
Talent – Dan McDonald (pxp), Anthony Babineaux (analyst)
Video Streaming – CUSA.tv
Talent – J.P. Heath (pxp)
Live Stats – CajunStats.com
SERIES RECORD
Overall : Rice leads, 17-15
In Lafayette: Louisiana leads, 5-2
In Houston: Rice leads, 11-5
Neutral Sites: Louisiana leads, 5-4
Last 10: Louisiana, 9-1
Single-game tickets are available by visiting the Louisiana Athletics Box Office at the Cajundome or purchasing by visiting Account Manager [am.ticketmaster.com]. For more information call the Louisiana Athletics Box Office at the Cajundome at (337) 265-2104.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here [apps.apple.com] for iOS/Apple platforms and here [play.google.com] for Android platforms.
For the latest updates on Ragin' Cajuns baseball, follow on Facebook (RaginCajunsBaseball), Twitter (@RaginCajunsBSB) and Instagram (@RaginCajunsBSB) or check RaginCajuns.com.
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