An exciting Sun Belt Conference baseball showdown is on tap this weekend as the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns welcome the Georgia Southern Eagles for a three-game series in Lafayette. Both teams are looking to improve their position in the conference standings and bolster their postseason hopes as the regular season enters its final stretch. Louisiana comes in riding some momentum after recent wins, while Georgia Southern is eager to bounce back from a midweek loss. Fans can expect a competitive series filled with high stakes, key matchups, and plenty of college baseball excitement.

Game Schedule

The series will be played over three days, from Friday through Sunday, in Lafayette. Here are the game dates, times, and location for the matchup between Louisiana and Georgia Southern:

• Game 1: Friday, April 25 – 6:00 p.m. CT at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field
• Game 2: Saturday, April 26 – 2:00 p.m. CT at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field
• Game 3: Sunday, April 27 – 12:00 p.m. CT at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field

All three games are scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN+ for fans to stream, with local radio coverage available in Lafayette​. (Note: game times are subject to change, but these are the slated start times as of now.)

Team Overviews

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (20-23, 10-8 SBC): The Ragin’ Cajuns enter the weekend with an overall record below .500, but a winning record in Sun Belt play (10-8) that has kept them in the thick of the conference race​. Louisiana is coming off a confidence-boosting road series win last weekend at Old Dominion, including an extra-inning victory and a 10-0 shutout in the finale, and they followed that up with a 6-2 midweek win over Nicholls. This recent success has the Cajuns on a two-game winning streak heading into the homestand. Offensively, Louisiana has shown pop at times, averaging about 6 runs per game on the season. They have been solid at home (15-12 home record so far) and will look to leverage the home crowd advantage at Russo Park. While not nationally ranked, the Cajuns are fighting to climb up the Sun Belt standings and inch closer to a .500 overall record, which would strengthen their postseason resume. The team will also be energized by some off-field festivities – notably, Louisiana’s new men’s basketball coach, Quannas White, will throw out the first pitch on Friday, and members of the Cajuns’ 2000 College World Series team (the only CWS team in program history) will be honored before Saturday’s game​. These celebrations should add to the atmosphere as the Cajuns seek a crucial series win at home.

Georgia Southern Eagles (23-18, 9-9 SBC): The Eagles come into the series with a slightly better overall record and an even 9-9 mark in conference play​. Georgia Southern won two of three games in their Sun Belt series last weekend against Arkansas State, but they stumbled in a tough midweek contest, falling 12-1 on the road at nationally-ranked Florida on Tuesday​. Despite that setback, Georgia Southern has been playing solid baseball of late, winning 5 of their last 7 games. The Eagles sport a balanced team that leans on a potent offense – they have three regulars hitting above .330 – and a pitching staff that has shown flashes of brilliance. Georgia Southern is not currently in the Top 25 rankings, but they have been a strong program in recent years (they even hosted an NCAA Regional in 2022) and are looking to build a case for postseason consideration this season. At 23-18, the Eagles have a chance to boost their record and conference standing with a good showing in Lafayette. They sit just one game behind Louisiana in the Sun Belt standings, so this series provides an opportunity for Georgia Southern to leapfrog the Cajuns or, conversely, fall further behind​. The team knows the importance of this road series and will be motivated to reverse some recent history in this matchup.

Key Players to Watch

Both squads feature standout players who will be crucial to their team’s success in this series. Here are some key players to keep an eye on from each side:

• Conor Higgs, Louisiana (OF): Higgs is the offensive catalyst for the Ragin’ Cajuns, leading the team in batting average, home runs, and RBIs. He comes into the series hitting .336 with 13 home runs and 32 RBIs​. Higgs’ combination of power and average makes him a constant threat in the middle of Louisiana’s lineup. If he gets hot, he can carry the offense – as evidenced by several big games this season – so Georgia Southern’s pitchers will need to be careful when facing him.
• Chase Morgan, Louisiana (LHP): The sophomore left-hander is slated to start the Friday opener for Louisiana and has been one of their more reliable arms. Morgan owns a 3-1 record with a 3.35 ERA on the year​. In Sun Belt play, he’s helped set the tone with quality starts (Louisiana’s starters have a collective 3.93 ERA in conference games​). A strong outing from Morgan in Game 1 could put the Cajuns on the right track for the series.
• Sean Smith, Georgia Southern (OF): Smith has been the star of the Eagles’ lineup and one of the best hitters in the Sun Belt Conference this year. He is batting a robust .404 with 9 home runs and 33 RBIs, making him the league’s leading hitter in average​. Smith’s ability to consistently get on base and hit for power makes him a nightmare for opposing pitchers. Louisiana will need to find a way to cool him off; otherwise, he could spark big innings for Georgia Southern.
• Brady Pendley, Georgia Southern (RHP): Pendley is expected to take the mound as the Eagles’ Friday night starter, and he has been excellent so far. The junior right-hander has a perfect 3-0 record and a sterling 2.34 ERA in his appearances​. He’s been effective at limiting hits and runs (opponents are batting just .225 against him) while averaging nearly a strikeout per inning​. Pendley will face a tough Louisiana lineup, but if he can deliver a quality start, it will greatly boost Georgia Southern’s chances in the opener.
• Josh Tate and Daniel Haab, Georgia Southern (IF/OF): Aside from Smith, the Eagles have other dangerous bats like junior infielder Josh Tate and senior outfielder Daniel Haab. Tate is hitting .365 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs, providing power and run production in the heart of the order. Haab adds depth with a .331 average and 6 homers. Together, this trio (Smith, Tate, Haab) makes Georgia Southern’s lineup one of the more formidable in the conference, capable of putting up crooked numbers if pitchers are not on their game.
• JR Tollett, Louisiana (RHP): Another pitcher to note for the Cajuns is sophomore right-hander JR Tollett, who is slated to start Sunday’s finale. Tollett leads Louisiana’s regular rotation with a 2.98 ERA and has a 4-3 record​r. He was instrumental in a shutout victory last weekend and has shown great poise on the mound. If the series comes down to Sunday, Tollett could be the X-factor for Louisiana, aiming to shut down the Eagles’ offense in the decisive game.

Storylines to Watch

As this series unfolds, several intriguing storylines and implications will be in play. Here are some of the major storylines to watch:

• Conference Standings Battle: This matchup has direct implications for the Sun Belt standings. Louisiana and Georgia Southern are neck-and-neck in the conference – Louisiana is currently 10-8 in Sun Belt play, just one game (and one spot) ahead of Georgia Southern at 9-9​. That means the outcome of this three-game set could flip their positions. A series win by Georgia Southern would pull them ahead of the Cajuns, whereas Louisiana can create some separation if they defend their home turf. With only a few conference series left after this, every win is crucial for seeding in the Sun Belt Tournament and for keeping any NCAA postseason hopes alive.
• Postseason Implications: Both teams harbor aspirations of making the NCAA postseason, but neither has a secure resume at this point. Georgia Southern (23-18) likely has a slightly better shot, with a stronger overall record and an RPI hovering around the top 100, while Louisiana (20-23) will need to push above .500 and impress down the stretch to have at-large consideration. Essentially, each team needs a strong finish and probably a deep run (or win) in the conference tournament to punch a ticket to an NCAA Regional. This makes every conference series a must-watch. Expect an intense, playoff-like atmosphere as these squads know what’s at stake for their postseason dreams.
• Recent History and Rivalry: Although the all-time series between Louisiana and Georgia Southern is very even (Louisiana leads 12-11 overall)​, the Ragin’ Cajuns have had the upper hand lately. Louisiana has won the last five meetings between these teams​. Notably, the Cajuns rallied to beat Georgia Southern 7-6 in the 2022 Sun Belt Tournament championship game, and last season Louisiana swept a three-game series on the road in Statesboro​. The Eagles surely remember those losses and will be hungry to turn the tables. Georgia Southern actually has a history of playing well in Lafayette (they hold a 5-4 edge in games at Russo Park all-time)​, so this could be an opportunity for them to break Louisiana’s recent streak and rekindle a competitive rivalry.
• Powerful Offense vs. Solid Pitching: This series features a strength-on-strength matchup: Georgia Southern’s robust offense against Louisiana’s capable pitching staff. The Eagles average over 7 runs per game and have multiple big bats (Smith, Tate, Haab) who can change the game with one swing. On the other side, the Ragin’ Cajuns have quietly put together one of the better pitching units in the conference, especially in league play – Louisiana’s starters have a collective 3.93 ERA in Sun Belt games and the bullpen a 2.86 ERA​,  indicating they can keep games close. Whichever side can impose its style – high-scoring shootout vs. low-scoring duel – may determine the series. Keep an eye on critical at-bats between Georgia Southern’s sluggers and Louisiana’s key arms (for example, Sean Smith vs. Chase Morgan in the early innings, or Josh Tate vs. closer in a late-inning situation). These confrontations could produce fireworks or clutch outs that swing momentum.
• Home Crowd and Milestones: Louisiana is wrapping up a four-game homestand and expects strong crowds at Russo Park. The athletic department has added reasons for fans to pack the stands: on Friday night, new Louisiana basketball coach Quannas White will throw out the first pitch, and on Saturday, Louisiana will honor the 25th anniversary of its 2000 College World Series team with a pregame recognition​. These events tie the program’s past and future into the weekend and should create a festive atmosphere. For the players on the field, feeding off the home crowd energy could be a boost for the Cajuns. Meanwhile, Georgia Southern will aim to play spoiler and thrive in the role of the road underdog. How the Eagles handle the hostile environment – especially in key moments – is another storyline to watch.

Final Thoughts

This Louisiana vs. Georgia Southern series has all the ingredients of an entertaining and meaningful college baseball showdown. Both teams are fighting for ground in the Sun Belt, both feature a mix of veteran leadership and exciting talent, and both understand the importance of this late-April series for their larger goals. For Louisiana, it’s a chance to continue their recent surge, protect home field, and solidify their standing as a contender in the conference. For Georgia Southern, it’s an opportunity to make a statement on the road, snap a losing skid against the Cajuns, and position themselves for a strong finish to the season.

With quality pitching matchups set for each game and lineups that can put runs on the board, expect a hard-fought series that could very well come down to a few key plays or clutch performances. Sports fans should keep an eye on the action in Lafayette this weekend – the outcome will not only provide plenty of excitement but could also reshape the Sun Belt baseball landscape as the postseason draws near.