The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (22-24, 12-9 SBC) hit the road this weekend for a pivotal three-game series against the Georgia State Panthers (24-22, 9-12 SBC) at the GSU Baseball Complex in Atlanta. With just three Sun Belt Conference series remaining, every win matters in a tightly packed middle of the standings.

This is the first meeting between the two teams since 2022, when Louisiana swept the Panthers in Atlanta, continuing their dominance in the all-time series with a 16-2 record. The Cajuns are riding an 8-game win streak in the series.

Cajuns Looking to Climb

Louisiana enters the weekend fourth in the Sun Belt, just one game ahead of both Arkansas State and App State. The Cajuns control their own fate with series remaining against Georgia State, nationally ranked Southern Miss, and Arkansas State.

Key to Louisiana’s success this weekend will be its pitching. The Cajuns own the second-best ERA in Sun Belt play (3.32). Left-hander Chase Morgan leads the staff with a 2.91 ERA and ranks sixth in the league. Righty JR Tollett, who tossed a complete-game shutout against James Madison in March, ranks 44th nationally in strikeout-to-walk ratio. Veteran lefty Andrew Herrmann, nicknamed the “Herm-inator,” brings grit and experience to the weekend rotation.

Offensively, Conor Higgs continues to lead the charge. Higgs enters the series with 14 home runs and is second in the Sun Belt in slugging (.682) and OPS (1.144). His next long ball will tie him for fifth on Louisiana’s all-time home run list. Fellow outfielder Caleb Stelly and slugger Luke Yuhasz bring added pop to a lineup that can hit the ball out in bunches—especially when Higgs is locked in.

Panthers Dangerous Despite Standings

While Georgia State currently sits ninth in the league, head coach Brad Stromdahl sees opportunity.

“We control our own destiny,” Stromdahl told Ragin Review. “We can still finish easily in the top six… that’s a really good thing.”

The Panthers boast one of the most potent offenses in the Sun Belt, leading the league with 76 home runs. Kaleb Freeman, a transfer from Auburn, leads the league in OPS and slugging, and has emerged as a Player of the Year candidate. He’s flanked by power threats Colin Heinneck (17 HR), Jesse Dano (12 HR), and Michael McInness (9 HR).

On the mound, Georgia State will likely run out a weekend rotation of Cole Roberts, Jay Kembrey, and Ross Norman, though Roberts may be on a pitch count.

“We’re playing six freshmen at times,” Stromdahl noted. “But now they’ve all been punched in the mouth and know how to react.”

Out of the bullpen, Stromdahl praised Caleb White, Tyson Benford, and Jake Cruz as key arms capable of bridging to late innings.

Keys to the Weekend

Coach Stromdahl identified three areas that will determine the series:

1. Limit free passes – “We have to put people away early.”
2. Two-out RBIs – “We know we’ll get those chances. We have to cash them in.”
3. Bottom-of-the-order execution – The 7-8-9 hitters must produce to extend innings.

Louisiana, too, will need execution and consistency to win in what has historically been a tricky road environment.

“Some people call us the Bus Lot Boys,” Stromdahl joked, referencing their current field’s location. “But we’re 18-9 at home. It’s a tough place to come in and play.”

The Cajuns, however, have proven they can thrive in tough environments, taking recent road series at Old Dominion and South Alabama.

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