Baseball: White Sox, Robichaux update ex-Cajun Farquhar’s status

Tim Buckley, The Advertiser, April 24, 2018

Prayers from Cajun Country continue to flow in this week for Danny Farquhar, the former UL pitcher who collapsed in the dugout of the Chicago White Sox and sustained a brain hemorrhage and ruptured aneurysm while working during a game against the Houston Astros last Friday night in Chicago.

Both the White Sox and Ragin’ Cajuns coach Tony Robichaux offered updates Monday on the condition of Farquhar, who pitched at UL from 2006-08 and has thrown for four Major League Baseball teams since making his big-league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011.

“He’s making some progress, but the thoughts and the prayers for him, his wife and his three children and their family – continue them, because they’re hearing them and their appreciated,” said Robichaux, whose Cajuns dedicated their 4-0 win over Little Rock last Saturday night to Farquhar.

More: Prayers up for Farquhar from Robichaux and the Cajuns

According to a statement from the White Sox on Monday, Farquhar’s medical team at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago “reported today that Danny is progressing well following a successful surgery Saturday to address the aneurysm.”

Farquhar “has use of his extremities, is responding appropriately to questions and commands and is speaking to doctors and his family,” according to the statement.

He is in critical but neurologically stable condition in RUSH’s ICU unit, and according to the White Sox is expected to remain there “for the next few weeks.”

Robichaux, whose Cajuns dedicated their 4-0 win over Little Rock last Friday night to Farquhar, said Monday that the Florida native was off a ventilator he was on previously and was “breathing on his own.”

“There’s some good things that are happening right now,” said Robichaux, who coached Farquhar. “But he’s not out of the woods.

“These next 24, 48 hours – I’m sure this next week – are gonna very critical. But right now there’s a lot of indicators that are good, so we need to just keep praying.”

According to the White Sox, fans interested is sending get-well wishes and letters of support to Farquhar should address mail to him at Guaranteed Rate Field, 333 W. 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60616.

More: Farquhar’s aneurysm recovery likely measured in months and years

NON-CONFERENCE SET

Before traveling to Georgia State for a three-game Sun Belt series this weekend, UL – coming off a 2-1 series win over Little Rock that ended with a 9-7 loss in 11 innings Sunday – plays a non-conference set as part of a five-game week this week.

The Cajuns first travel to Louisiana Tech, which beat them 15-2 last week and has won five in a row, to face the Bulldogs on Tuesday night in Ruston, then return home to play the University of New Orleans on Wednesday night.

Robichaux said Austin Perrin probably will start one game and fellow freshman Brett Williams the other, but as of Monday afternoon he wasn’t certain which would go first.

“It’s gonna be really tough,” said Robichaux, who does not expect to get injured closer Logan Stoelke (groin strain) back until this weekend at the earliest. “We’re thin on arms, you know.

“We’re just gonna have to hopefully get some freshmen to stand up, and then I think we’re have to try to score some runs somewhere in here.”

LAGNIAPPE

For the second time this season, UL senior pitcher Colten Schmidt – who went 8.0 innings with only two hits allowed in Firday night’s 1-0 win over Little Rock – has won Louisiana Sports Writers Association Pitcher of the Week honors. This time he shared it with Centenary’s Matthew Devillier, who threw a no-hitter against Austin College. … Robichaux on Monday confirmed that injured catcher Handsome Monica (elbowl, knee) is redshirting this season; he’s been out since getting hurt in UL’s season opener. … Robichaux said Monday that second baseman Hunter Kasuls got spiked and cut in a recent game, but he was able to return and finish.

UL AT LOUISIANA TECH, UL VS. UNO

WHAT: Back-to-back non-conference college baseball set

WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m. Wednesday vs. University of New Orleans

WHERE: J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park, Ruston, on Tuesday night; M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field at Russo Park on Wednesday night

RECORDS: UL 22-19, Louisiana Tech 29-13, UNO 18-24

TV: None

STREAMING: RaginCajuns.com on Wednesday night

RADIO: KPEL 1420 AM with Jay Walker and Jeff Schneider (Tuesday night), Brad Topham (Wednesday night)

UL PITCHERS: TBA

UL LEADERS: OF Daniel Lahare (.296, three HR), OF Gavin Bourgeois (.291, 31 runs scored, 10 doubles, 13 steals), 1B/LF/3B Kennon Fontenot (.275, 28 RBI)