It was a very cool atmosphere around Russo Park last weekend for the UL baseball program.
Sunday’s series win allowed the nostalgia of alumni weekend — topped by honoring the 2014 team — to not be a mere consolation prize for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
But there’s still plenty of work left for the Cajuns to secure the Sun Belt regular-season title.
Yes, the Cajuns own a three-game lead on the field at 33-13 overall and 17-4 in league play. But the second-place team three games back is Troy, whom the Cajuns visit this weekend.
The formula doesn’t change, but it can get tougher to achieve last in the season: Don’t get swept on the road and win each series at home.
“That’s a formula that’s worked for a long time,” UL coach Matt Deggs said.
It’s especially critical this weekend. After hosting UL, Troy plays three at Texas State, which is limping to the finish line. The final three are James Madison at home.
The Dukes have a No. 30 RPI, but they’re 7-14 on the road this season and haven’t won a Sun Belt series away from home.
It shouldn’t shock anyone if the Trojans win their final six league games after playing UL. That makes it critical for UL to avoid getting swept in Alabama this weekend.
In some years, winning the regular-season crown wouldn’t be as important as this year, but UL’s RPI is No. 51. Finishing first is this team’s ticket to a NCAA regional berth, not the RPI.
There are a few issues the Cajuns need to address to finish strong. One is to avoid leaving so many runners on base. Last Wednesday’s bad loss to Houston Christian primarily was because of 14 left on base.
“Two things that are really an extreme mindset, and that’s hitting with two strikes and driving in runs,” Deggs said. “It’s attitude-driven and approach-driven. A lot of amateur hitters want to be too picky in those spots, especially in what we call Alpha ABs with a runner at third and less than two outs.
“Get a pitch you can handle — it doesn’t have to be perfect — and let’s stay inside that thing and finish it through the middle of the field.”
Another key for the Cajuns is better "small ball" execution.
“I got a text from my dad and he’s right, don’t forget about the small ball,” Deggs said. “Just because we haven’t been as good as some other packs in the past doesn’t mean we can't do it.”
Part of the problem is this year's roster isn’t as fast as Deggs would like, but getting the bunt down doesn’t require speed.
The most forgotten aspect of UL’s 3-2 loss Saturday was Southern Miss' backup catcher got a bunt down off LP Langevin after the leadoff man reached base.
“I would hate to have to bunt off of LP and he got it down first pitch,” Deggs said.
The Cajuns also have to stop making so many outs on the bases. UL has 51 stolen bases this season but also been thrown out 23 times.
“Some of these caught stealings are missed hit-and-runs,” Deggs said. “Each team is different. You have to create in different ways. Would I like to just be able to run in your face? Yeah, I really would.
“But yeah, you’re right, at some point, you’re either going to do it or not.”
Making outs while trying to take an extra base is even more bothersome.
“More concerning to me are making the third out at third, making the first out at third,” Deggs said. “I can’t fault us playing hard, but those are all situations that have been overly coached.”
In baseball, hitting comes and goes. Defense doesn’t have to, so if the Cajuns can avoid the free bases, Deggs remains confident the hitting that produced 16 straight wins not long ago will return.
“I never thought we peaked too soon,” he said. “I thought we were just playing to our potential, and I think that’ll come back around here.”