Preview: Ragin’ Cajuns Visit Bobcats to Open Sun Belt Series

SAN MARCOS, Texas (Interstat) — The surging Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns, ranked 15th nationally, open a three-game Sun Belt Conference series against the Texas State Bobcats at Bobcat Ballpark on Friday.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT under clear skies with a game-time temperature of 84 degrees.

Louisiana-Lafayette (16-5) carries momentum from a 6-3, 10-inning road win at Houston on Wednesday. The Ragin’ Cajuns have won 10 of their last 12 games.

Texas State (12-8) looks to rebound after a 9-6 midweek loss at Texas A&M, which extended its skid to four games.

A key matchup will feature Louisiana-Lafayette right-hander Ty Roman, who is expected to start. Roman is coming off a dominant performance against Houston, where he threw 5 2/3 hitless innings in relief, allowing two earned runs with eight strikeouts. Over his last three appearances, he has surrendered just three hits in 11 1/3 innings.

The Bobcats will counter with right-hander Alex Yearwood. Yearwood has struggled recently, allowing six earned runs without recording an out over his last two appearances against Texas A&M and Louisiana-Monroe. However, he showed high strikeout potential earlier this month, fanning six in 2 2/3 scoreless innings against Washington State.

The Ragin’ Cajuns’ offense is powered by catcher Colt Brown, who hit a two-run homer in the win over Houston. The Bobcats’ bullpen, which faltered late against the Aggies, will need to contain a Louisiana-Lafayette lineup averaging over seven runs per game during its current hot stretch.

Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-4 victory for Louisiana-Lafayette, giving the Ragin’ Cajuns a 55% probability to win the series opener.

The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.