UL Softball Preview: Mississippi Valley St.

The 7th-ranked Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun softball team will take on the Mississippi Valley St. Devilettes twice this weekend in the Mardi Gras Classic, at Lamson Park.

Louisiana will face Mississippi Valley St. on Friday at 5 o'clock, and then again on Saturday at 2:30 pm.

Last season, Mississippi Valley St. finished the season with a 14-35 record, including a 9-8 mark in SWAC play.This season, Mississippi Valley St. is off to a 2-5 start, with two wins over Austin Peay, along with a loss to Mississippi St. and four setbacks to Middle Tennessee.

Offensively, the Devilettes are hitting a .231 with no home runs and 16 runs batted in, along with 6 stolen bases, after hitting a .241 with 8 homers, 158 RBI's, and 45 stolen bases in 2014.

Junior second baseman Jahcenda Garrett and senior outfielder Omeshia Moffett are the top returning hitters from a year ago, batting a .312 and a .265 in 2014, respectively.

Last season, Mississippi Valley St. was out-hit by the opposition, .353/.241, while being out-homered by foes, 32/8, and stealing 45 bases in 56 attempts.

This season, Mississippi Valley St. is being out-hit by the opposition, .418/.231, while being out-scored, 72-16.

In the circle, the Devilettes return senior right-hander Tenna Patterson, who went 9-14 with a 8.89 ERA. in 2014.

Mississippi Valley St., who compiled a 10.09 ERA. last season, has compiled a 13.50 ERA. through seven games this season.

The Cajuns will play Idaho St. on Friday at 2:30 pm, before taking on Mississippi Valley St. at 5 o’clock.

On Saturday, Louisiana plays twice more, facing Mississippi Valley St. at 2:30 pm, before taking on Idaho St. at 5 o’clock.

UL wraps-up play in the tournament on Sunday at 12:30 pm, when they face Idaho St.

You can hear all the play-by-play action on Sports Radio ESPN 1420, and espn1420.com, beginning with the pre-game show 15 minutes prior to first-pitch for each game.