The Cajuns dominate heading into a four-game homestand

Before these last two weeks, I have not been paying close attention to Louisiana baseball. That might have been a bigger mistake than sleeping through a hurricane.

This is easily the best team the Ragin’ Cajuns have had in a while, and they are looking like a well-oiled machine. Although, that is not accurate enough.

Picture each individual player as a machine, about 7 stories tall, can turn into vehicles and has enough firepower to destroy the world. Yes, they are Transformers. And similar to robots, they are making their human opponents look ridiculous on the field. 

Heading into their series against Coastal Carolina, the Ragin’ Cajuns won 20 out of their last 21 games. They continue to rise up the ranks, now 14th in the nation according to NCAA.

Although there is much to be excited for, the Cajuns are not immune to losing as it was made well-aware on Friday. Coastal Carolina quickly made it a humbling experience for them.

As the 19th best team in the nation, it should have been obvious that the Chanticleers were not a team to skim over. They were coming off a huge upset win against 11th-rank North Carolina.

Not to mention the Tar Heels were on a 27-game home win streak stemming back to last season.

The Ragin’ Cajuns would be the next team to fall victim to the rooster onslaught. They would lose 9-1 in crushing fashion. They essentially got shut out the entire game after an RBI in the first inning by John Taylor.

Most losses are looked at as a setback, but when you are a team that is as scorching hot as the Cajuns are, a loss like this really just gives you a reality check.

Yes they are great, but they are not invincible. A simple reminder of what losing feels like should give them more motivation. And that motivation was fuel used to flip the switch back to complete dominance. 

The following day, to end off the series against the Chanticleers, the Cajuns needed every ounce of fuel available. 

They were down by as much as three runs heading into the top of the fourth. That was until the Cajuns came… raging back. 

Duncan Pastore led the team in hits racking up three for the game. But it was his double RBI single in the fourth that woke up the Cajuns, reminding them there was a lot of game left.

Coastal Carolina was scrambling for answers like me scrambling for more fries at the bottom of the bag. But there were no more fries. Because my dog ate them. 

Let’s just say the Cajuns were that dog. And the Ragin’ K-9s completely shut out the Chanticleers after Pastore’s RBI. But the Cajuns were still down 6-5 at this point. I know Cajun fans were biting their nails wondering if they would finally take the lead.

Four innings later, everyone’s worries were resolved. The Cajuns displayed an absolute masterclass at bat. Connor Cuff sparked the momentum getting on base. He was soon joined by Taylor and eventually Luke Yuhasz.

That is when the takeover began. Cuff got home first off of a passed ball. Soon after, a deep fly ball from Caleb Stelly advanced Taylor to home plate.

And just when I thought he was back on the team bus, ready to get out of Conway, South Carolina, Duncan Pastore was at bat to seal the game. He finished with another RBI which was the catalyst to bringing Yuhasz in for another score.

The Ragin’ Cajuns indeed did get their “getback.” And with that their series comes to an end with both teams taking a game.

Next week the Cajuns will be back home in Russo Park. They will play four straight games in Lafayette then head back out to Alabama for their series with Troy.

Amongst the four-game home stand is a game against Houston Christian, an 11-37 team. Comparing our records alone, both teams are evenly matched and it should go down-to-the-wire.

After that is a three game series against Southern Miss. They are actually pretty decent with a 25-14 overall record. We will have to watch out for their best hitter Dalton McIntyre batting an average 0.404. 

Another thing to watch out for against Southern Miss is the first pitch. On April 28th at 1:00 pm, Governor Jeff Landry will be on the mound for the celebratory first pitch. You do not want to miss it!