This Is Louisiana

[NewsCopy]

 
• Louisiana has finished .500 or better in each of the last 12 seasons.

• The Ragin' Cajuns have won 1,236 games since moving to NCAA Division I status in
1972 – an average of 33 wins over 37 seasons.

• Louisiana has won 64 percent of its Sun Belt Conference games and finished first or
second in the league standings 10 out of 17 seasons competed.

• Head coach Tony Robichaux is one of only 32 active NCAA Division I head coaches
with 750 career victories. Robichaux has led Louisiana to 512 wins in his 14 seasons
with the program (average of 37 wins per season).

• Louisiana's baseball program has turned out 59 All-Sun Belt Conference selections
and produced the Sun Belt's Pitcher of the Year three times (2000, 2005, 2006) since
the turn of the century.

• The Ragin' Cajuns have had five All-American selections in the past four seasons.

• There have been 38 Major League Baseball draft selections under Tony Robichaux.

• Louisiana has made 11 appearances in the NCAA Regionals since 1988.

• The Cajuns' pitching staff has led the Sun Belt Conference in ERA for four consecutive
seasons. In 2008, UL was the only league school with a sub-5.00 ERA.

2009 Louisiana Baseball Media Guide

[UL_Cajuns]

I really don't follow baseball as much as I do Basketball and Football. What kind of year are we looking at? Will Coach Robe bring us back to a regional?

[J-Town Cajun]

I was told by a UL coach to look out for Zach Osbourne to contribute in a big way on the pitching staff this year, possible opening day starter.

Greg Wilborn has come back healthy and is nasty from the left side.

Cook is a starter but may not be the opening day starter that many are to believe.

They would like to keep Justin Robichaux as a relief pitcher.

Expects Will Long to be the most improved player.

Chance Harst will see start somewhere as he will be one of the top hitters. Could play catcher or 1st Base.

He really likes Alex Fuselier as a freshman.

[NOCajun]

I hope someone will step up at catcher this year. That position has been lacking since Lucroy left.


igeaux.mobi

[Textitan]

_ I hope someone will step up at catcher this year. That position has been lacking since Lucroy left.


igeaux.mobi _

You mean that whole 1 year that we have been without him? How did we ever survive?? haha

[Just1More]

Lucroy is missed as a catcher... but a whole lot more as a leader. Baseball doesn't get led by a loudmouth. It gets led by a guy that goes out and gets the job done. His bat did a whole lot to lift the entire line-up. The difference this year needs over last year is for someone (or more) to give the team the edge from a leadership role. Robe knows and uses every method possible of allowing people to step up and lead by example. He just never knows who will or won't. Robe is probably the best coach/mentor UL has ever had in a coach, in any sport.

[CajunCanaille]

_ You mean that whole 1 year that we have been without him? How did we ever survive?? haha _

I was thinking the same thing....lol

[CajunCanaille]

_ Lucroy is missed as a catcher... but a whole lot more as a leader. Baseball doesn't get led by a loudmouth. It gets led by a guy that goes out and gets the job done. His bat did a whole lot to lift the entire line-up. The difference this year needs over last year is for someone (or more) to give the team the edge from a leadership role. Robe knows and uses every method possible of allowing people to step up and lead by example. He just never knows who will or won't. Robe is probably the best coach/mentor UL has ever had in a coach, in any sport. _

I agree with you that this team lacked a leader last year. It looked as though Willie Long was trying to take on the role but not all followed. Someone really needs to step up this year and be a leader.

[TuffGuy84]

_ I hope someone will step up at catcher this year. That position has been lacking since Lucroy left.


igeaux.mobi _

Prior to Griffens illness last year, he was starting to heat up. I think between Griffen and Guillory, we'll be fine behind the plate this year. What I'm worried about is the middle infield. Unless we see dramatic improvement defensively from out Short and Second, we're still gonna get hit by the error bug.

[J-Town Cajun]

A quick assessment of our catcher situation:

1. Chance Harst is our best hitter maybe at any position other than Scott Hawkins. He is also not that bad defensively both blocking and throwing. Harst will play either catcher or first, if first this will open up catcher to the other two.

2. Griffen is by far our best throwing catcher and is ok blocking. The dude has some serious power if he connects with the ball but there lies the problem. My guess is he will strikeout at least 25% of the time this year but he will also drop a few bombs if he gets enough at-bats. This guy has by far the most potential because he has a major league body, arm, power, but he has huge holes in his swing. Griffen will be given his shot because of his potential and the guy turned down a high draft pick because he wanted to come to UL.

3. Dylon Guillory is someone I like but may have a hard time getting playing time. Guillory is a left-handed hitting catcher which are hard to find and he swings a good stick. I have not seen enough of him defensively to make a good judgement but from what I have seen he is ok but not good as the other two.

[TuffGuy84]

_ A quick assessment of our catcher situation:

1. Chance Harst is our best hitter maybe at any position other than Scott Hawkins. He is also not that bad defensively both blocking and throwing. Harst will play either catcher or first, if first this will open up catcher to the other two.

2. Griffen is by far our best throwing catcher and is ok blocking. The dude has some serious power if he connects with the ball but there lies the problem. My guess is he will strikeout at least 25% of the time this year but he will also drop a few bombs if he gets enough at-bats. This guy has by far the most potential because he has a major league body, arm, power, but he has huge holes in his swing. Griffen will be given his shot because of his potential and the guy turned down a high draft pick because he wanted to come to UL.

3. Dylon Guillory is someone I like but may have a hard time getting playing time. Guillory is a left-handed hitting catcher which are hard to find and he swings a good stick. I have not seen enough of him defensively to make a good judgement but from what I have seen he is ok but not good as the other two. _

I think that Harst will be our starting first baseman. I mean, we don't have anyone else that is gonna field and hit at that position like Harst would be able to. With that said, I think that it will pan out with Harst at first, griffen catching, and Hicks at third. If what I read on here was true, Long will be short. 2nd is a Q, and I think Hatfield and Bowman will start the season in the outfield with one of the outfield spots being a Q. Just 3 short weeks until baseball season people!

[Clutch0364]

_ I think that Harst will be our starting first baseman. I mean, we don't have anyone else that is gonna field and hit at that position like Harst would be able to. With that said, I think that it will pan out with Harst at first, griffen catching, and Hicks at third. If what I read on here was true, Long will be short. 2nd is a Q, and I think Hatfield and Bowman will start the season in the outfield with one of the outfield spots being a Q. Just 3 short weeks until baseball season people! _

Everything I have heard would put some new faces possibly in the starting line up. The JC guys we signed can smash the ball from what I have been told.

[TuffGuy84]

I hope so, we definitely need some extra pop in the lineup. A little protection for Hawkins will pay huge dividends.

[Winos]

_ I hope so, we definitely need some extra pop in the lineup. A little protection for Hawkins will pay huge dividends. _

Hopefully they find a spot for Jon Masch, he hit 19 homers last year for Richland Junior College. Masch was a first team All-American in 2008 after hitting .410 and leading the nation in RBIs (89) and ranking second in home runs (19). The former Texas State signee helped Richland finish third at the NJCAA Division III World Series. And someone correct me if I'm wrong, but if I'm not mistaken, Les Smith was in the top Rivals top 60 recruits in the whole nation. Maybe he'll fill in for an injured Goulas.

[Boomer]

I can't believe that Goulas is out for the year!!!!!! With that said ---what will be the starting lineup??// and what about the mid week and week end throwers????/

[TuffGuy84]

_ I can't believe that Goulas is out for the year!!!!!! With that said ---what will be the starting lineup??// and what about the mid week and week end throwers????/ _

Unless something has changed that I didn't hear about, Goulas might not be out for the year, he might be able to rehab enough to get back at some point this season, but I think a lot would hinge on whether or not we're in position to go to a regional, they rest him if we're not.

[J-Town Cajun]

I am a Physical Therapist and I would be surprised if he comes back this season. It is a very delicate surgery that involves removing the first rib and involves arteries and nerves that past right over the rib. To do so they are going to go through the arm pit which sounds painful but this is going to effective his range of motion while the scar heals and hopefully his shoulder does not get tight. While he is slinged he will lose strength. We must remember that his symptoms are caused by throwing overhead so I sure his Dr. will not allow this activity for some time while healing.

Although I never rehabed someone with this procedure (people with Thoricac Outlet Syndrome only 2-5% involves vascular symptoms and only 10% will need surgery) I would guess at least 2 months, most likely 3, and maybe 6 months before he is ready for high level activity such as baseball. It may not be worth the half a season he could play when we have a redshirt we could use.

Although I am not sure but I think Buddy Glass he may have had the symptoms of neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome after his car accident which caused weakness in his arm. I am sorry if this is not correct maybe someone would correct me.

[lifetimecajun]

_ I hope so, we definitely need some extra pop in the lineup. A little protection for Hawkins will pay huge dividends. _

well my take on things are this.....if hawkins can be himself and put up good numbers like he did in the past, and we can get griffen and harst going....thats three pretty good power guys. I really liked Benzel last year....somewhat streaky while he was trying to figure it out, but he was a freshman. I am still not sold on the SS position offensively or defensively. I dont know much about the jr college guys but i heard one has some pop and could be a middle of the lineup type of hitter I also like Bowman last year.....lots of speed and a big arm good frame kid that will hit in time. In my opinion the key to this years team is gonna be if Hatfield get this year and can play. If so, I think and hope that he can be that leader we lacked last year. He's in about his 8th yr so hopefully can provide leadership.

[ManAboutTown]

Considering the youth on this team, I think that opening weekend can really dictate the first 10 to 15 games for this years' squad. Nebraska is a Power, and right out of the gate, we'll get a preview of what kind of talent we have. IMO, the talent is there, but obviously you can't win games on talent alone. Again, I've always applauded Coach Robe for his OOC scheduling of great competition early in the season. This Nebraska tilt could set our boys on a fast track to success, or cripple their psyche early on (which I hope not). Great opportunity to get some confidence, taste success, and get some swagger for 09.

Hatfield is back, thats good news. Pitching has a ton of potential, and supposedly Will Long is the most improved player on the team. If Cook is consistent on Friday nights, we could put together a special season.

[jllanclos]

Great opportunity to get some confidence, taste success, and get some swagger for 09. [/QUOTE]
Then we'll all be "swaggin"

igeaux.mobi