Some Thoughts on the Weekend at The “Tigue” – From the Bird’s Nest

South Alabama was in town this past weekend.  And, for the first time in several years, both teams were fighting to be at or near the top of the Sun Belt Conference.

And, the weekend was a treat.

Now, granted, it would have been a sweeter treat had the Cajuns won the series.  But even with that, fans that flocked to the "Tigue" this weekend left feeling like they witnessed something special.  Mainly, because they did.

Here are some of my thoughts.

THE TEAMS GOT AFTER IT---Just like old times.  Both teams knew it was going to

be a tight series and both teams came to play each day. The games were tight.  The games were intense.  And, the two teams hooked it up.

SOUTH ALABAMA IS GOOD---They don't have much power and they don't really look very physical, but I like the South Alabama offense.  Their guys didn't try to do too much.  Their hitters used the middle of the field and weren't afraid to take the outside pitch the other way.  They hunted the first fastball and swung early in the count.  And, every player in their lineup was a tough out.

GOOD DEFENSE = GOOD BASEBALL--Both teams had stellar weekends defensively.  There was only one error committed the entire weekend and that was on a catcher's interference call.  Both outfields had fine defensive plays and took several hits away from the opposition.  And, the infielders had several stellar plays of their own.  The offenses had to earn what they got because they got no help from the other team's defense.

THE CAJUNS' FRESHMAN PITCHING WAS SUPERB---South Alabama leads the Sun Belt in offense.  Because they don't have a lot of power, they have cultivated ways to score runs.  They've got almost as many walks as strikeouts.  But not this weekend.  The Cajuns four freshman, Gunner Leger, Evan Guillory, Wyatt Marks and Dylan Moore walked exactly NO South Alabama hitters in 23 1/3 innings.  The freshman team ERA for the weekend was 2.31.  All three starters had quality starts (three runs or fewer in six or more innings pitched).  And Moore retired seven of the eight batters he faced out of the bullpen.  Rock.  Solid.

KEVIN HILL IS THE PITCHER OF THE YEAR--The South Alabama senior showed why he is undefeated on the season.  He pounded the strike zone and threw multiple pitches for strikes.  His eight strikeouts were fewer than what he had his previous two starts when he carried a no-hitter into the ninth against Georgia State and struck out 15, and then another complete game allowing just one run with twelve strikeouts at Georgia Southern.  He pitches deep into every game and his consistency this year has been phenomenal.

NICE JOB BY THE BOYS IN BLUE---Kudos to the umpiring crew of Michael Thomas, John Haggerty, Scott Kennedy and Jett Minton.  As a crrew,, they were the best we've seen all year.  All three home plate umpires were consistent, they kept the game moving, they were approachable when necessary and they sensed the importance of the series.

AND THEY NOTICED THE PLAY, TOO---After the series, the umpires told the

coaches it was as good a series as they had seen all year.  And, they said it was the best college baseball atmosphere they had worked in.  Umpires don't stay stuff like that unless they mean it.

KUDOS TO THE ATMOSPHERE MAKERS---Parking had to be a pain in the butt because of the car show, but it didn't keep fans away.  The total attendance of nearly 13,000 fans matched the intensity on the field and added to the reputation of "Tigue" Moore Field.  USA coach Mark Calvi told UL coach Tony Robichaux it was as good an atmosphere as he's been in.  And, ,this guy won a national championship in the SEC.  You don't have to have 8-10,000 fans to have great atmosphere and the Cajun fans proved that..again.

THE FESTIVITIES JUST ADDED TO IT ALL--When you have other things besides

the game, sometimes it detracts from the atmosphere.  Not so this weekend.  Friday there was a two minute fireworks display during the seventh inning stretch. Two of the newest elected members of the Louisiana Hall of Fame, Yvette Girouard and Jake Delhomme, were recognized.  Saturday was graduation day.  Sunday the five Cajuns' seniors were honored.  And if you weren't there early Sunday, you missed all of the players' and coaches' moms that were there, each throwing a pitch to their son.  For the moms and the participants, it was special.  And, it was special for us as well.

IT WAS A DISEASE FIGHTING WEEKEND---Our Lady of Lourdes sponsored "Strike out a Stroke" weekend, where testing was done and awareness raised for preventing s stroke.  In addition there was a group there to raise awareness of ALS, the horrible disease that recently claimed Cajuns' football great Orlando Thomas.  And, there was a gathering on Sunday of those who work to fight cancer with the Miles Perret Cancer Services.  Some of those had never been to the "Tigue" and were amazed at the atmosphere.  My guess is, it won't be their last visit.

THE CAJUNS ARE GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN THE TOURNAMENT---There isn't much room for error with this Cajuns' team.  But when they pitch like they did over the weekend and mix it in with their vastly improved defense, they put themselves in position to win.  Their issue has been inconsistency in their lineup when it comes to getting that timely hit that Robe always talks about.  If they figure that out over a five day period, they have a fighting chance.