Montgomery, AL — The postseason has arrived, and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns will open the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Baseball Tournament on May 21 against one of the league’s most improved teams — the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Louisiana enters the tournament with a 26–29 overall record and a 16–14 mark in Sun Belt play, good for the No. 5 seed. While the Cajuns have enough talent to be competitive, their season has been defined by inconsistency — both in performance and results. In contrast, Marshall (31–24, 16–14 SBC) has taken a major leap forward in 2025, earning the No. 4 seed after finishing near the bottom of the league standings just a season ago.

To advance in Montgomery, Louisiana will need to deliver the sharpest, most focused brand of baseball they’ve played all year. Marshall isn’t a traditional power, but they are confident, balanced, and capable on both sides of the ball.

Louisiana’s Season: Inconsistent Results Despite Veteran Core

The Cajuns have not lacked in effort or raw ability this year, but translating talent into consistent success has been a challenge. Notable wins over then-No. 23 Nebraska and No. 21 Troy earlier in the year demonstrated the team’s potential. But those victories were often followed by frustrating setbacks — including a seven-game losing streak in May and series losses to teams like ULM and Arkansas State.

Offense: Big Bats, But Sporadic Production

Senior outfielder Conor Higgs has been the heart of the offense, slashing .346/.466/.681 with 16 home runs, 51 runs scored, and 48 RBIs. He leads the team in nearly every major offensive category and ranks among the top five in the Sun Belt in slugging and OPS.

Behind him, junior first baseman Caleb Stelly has produced a strong season of his own, batting .314 with 8 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 12 doubles. He’s been one of the Cajuns’ more consistent RBI threats later in the season.

Freshman infielder Owen Galt has impressed in limited action, posting a .296 average and showing a mature approach at the plate. Meanwhile, senior catcher Jose Torres has contributed 35 RBIs with a .270 average and a knack for timely situational hitting.

The Cajuns have a team batting average of .278, but they’ve struggled to maintain momentum game-to-game. In their 29 losses, they were held to 3 runs or fewer in 16 of them — an issue that can’t continue in tournament play.

Pitching: Searching for Stability

Pitching has been a persistent concern for Louisiana. The team’s overall ERA sits above 5.40, and outside of a few bright spots, the staff has struggled to string together quality outings.

Sophomore Chase Morgan (3.83 ERA) has the stuff to dominate opposing hitters, but nagging injuries throughout the season has plagued the All-American pitcher. As the Friday night starter, he's thrown 56.1 innings in 12 starts, with most of those appearances shortened due to pitch count limitations. His 4-3 record is more reflective of the lack of run support rather than ability. Morgan has the talent to keep the score low, but the offensive production has to step it up against Marshall.

Sophomore JR Tollett has been a workhorse, tossing 63.1 innings with a 4.83 ERA and 61 strikeouts. He had a solid outing in the regular-season finale, where he struck out six over 5.1 innings.

In the bullpen, senior Matthew Holzhammer has emerged as a go-to arm, logging 37.2 innings, with a 3.35 ERA, 38 strikeouts, and a .218 opponent batting average. He has often been called upon in high-leverage moments.

Senior Dylan Theut (2 saves, 3.86 ERA) has contributed as a setup or closing option, but free passes and big innings have been an issue across the staff.

Marshall’s Breakout Season: Balanced, Dangerous, and Hot at the Right Time

Marshall’s 2025 season has been one of the best stories in the Sun Belt. After going 18–37 last year and being picked near the bottom of the preseason coaches poll, the Thundering Herd turned in a 31–24 campaign — their first winning season in years. They closed the year with a six-game win streak, including series sweeps of Georgia State and Georgia Southern.

Offense: Steady Contributors and Late-Season Power Surge

Junior shortstop Maika Niu has been the breakout star, finishing the regular season with a .287 average, 12 home runs, and 46 RBIs. He slugged .551 and carried the offense down the stretch, homering six times in the final six games.

Sophomore first baseman Ethan Murdoch added another power bat, batting .294 with 10 homers and 40 RBIs. He also walked 26 times, showing plate discipline.

Senior outfielder Eddie Leon was the team’s most consistent bat, leading the Herd with a .301 average, along with 18 doubles and 31 runs scored. He’s often been the table-setter, while sophomore Tyler Kamerer (.275 AVG, .372 OBP, 13 stolen bases) and freshman AJ Havrilla (10 sacrifice flies, 33 RBIs) helped manufacture runs through bunting and situational hitting.

Marshall hit .273 as a team, but they excel at creating pressure with aggressive baserunning and small ball. Their offense is deep and opportunistic — particularly in late-game scenarios.

Pitching: A Reliable Front-End and a Deep Bullpen

Junior right-hander Bryce Blevins is the ace and one of the league’s most durable starters. He’s logged 86 innings, posting a 4.08 ERA, 69 strikeouts, and two complete games. He beat Southern Miss and Texas State with strong, late-inning efforts.

Freshman Clint Moak has been sensational late in the season, finishing 6–1 with a 3.05 ERA and a complete-game shutout of Southern Miss. His rise gives the Herd another dangerous option for tournament play.

In the bullpen, Nicholas Weyrich (6–3, 4 saves, 3.50 ERA) has been a multi-inning reliever with swing-and-miss stuff. Charlie Krebs (3.00 ERA) and Tim Baird (13.2 K/9) give the staff depth and flexibility.

Marshall’s team ERA of 4.65 is a significant improvement from 2024, and their pitchers held opponents to just .247batting average in their final 10 games.

Keys to Victory for Louisiana

If the Cajuns are going to make a run in Montgomery, it starts with getting past a red-hot Marshall team. Here’s what needs to happen:

• Consistent At-Bats Early – Getting to Blevins early will be crucial. Higgs, Stelly, and Galt need to find fastballs early in the count and avoid falling into strikeout counts.
• Limit Big Innings – Pitchers must avoid walks and extra-base hits with runners on. Marshall thrives on big innings, especially in the middle frames.
• Defensive Execution – Bunt defense and infield communication will be key. Marshall puts the ball in play and forces defenders to make decisions.
• Win the Bullpen Battle – Louisiana’s relievers, especially Holzhammer and Theut, will need to be sharp. A one-run lead in the late innings will only hold if command is crisp.

Final Outlook

Louisiana has played better than their record at times, but they’ve also earned their place outside the top tier of the standings. A postseason reset offers new life, but it will require their most complete game of the year to get past Marshall — a team with momentum, discipline, and confidence.

For the Cajuns, this isn’t just a game — it’s a proving ground. A win could jumpstart a deeper run, but a loss would make it a difficult path to the championship in a season defined by missed opportunities. The question now: Can Louisiana find consistency at the moment it matters most?

We’ll find out Wednesday night in Montgomery.