Baseball: Ex-Cajuns return for ring ceremony

Baseball: Ex-Cajuns return for ring ceremony

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • February 19, 2011

UL interim director of athletics Scott Farmer handed out Sun Belt Conference championship rings to players and coaches from the 2010 Ragin’ Cajun baseball team during a pre-game ceremony Friday night.

Zach Osborne, an All-America pitcher for UL last season, was one of the former players to receive their hardware from the 38-22 squad. He was a driving force in the Cajuns going 24-8 after a 14-14 start to clinch a share of the Sun Belt title with Florida Atlantic and a berth in the NCAA Austin Regional.

"It’s great to be back here again and on the other side of things with the fans and seeing what else goes on here," said Osborne, a ninth-round draft pick by the Texas Rangers last summer. "This fan base is great. I’ve never seen so many people here for a game. I’m glad to see everybody again, get my ring, see my old teammates and get one more standing ovation for what we did last year."

Teurlings Catholic grad Dayton Marze, who went 5-4 for the Cajuns last season, was also back for the festivities at UL’s M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field.

"It feels weird to be back," said Marze, a 14th-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays last summer. "I feel like I’m still on the team but just missed all of the practices. It just kind of hit me that I’m not on the team anymore. I’m happy for the guys and hope they have a great season."

Extra bases

With Friday’s 4-2 loss to Southeast Missouri State, UL fell to 27-13 in season openers since 1972. The Cajuns are now 31-9 in home openers "» UL coach Tony Robichaux fell to 13-4 in season openers "» Last summer Osborne went 1-3 with a 3.92 ERA in 10 appearances for the Rangers’ short-season Single-A affiliate Spokane Indians of the Northwest League. He had 21 strikeouts and only five walks in 20.2 innings. On Wednesday he leaves for spring training in Surprise, Ariz. "» Marze posted a 2-1 record and 2.73 ERA with eight saves in 21 games last summer for the Blue Jays’ short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays of the New York-Penn League. He leaves for spring training on March 5 in Dunedin, Fla.

Cajun Baseball Trip to San Francisco

Heads up Ragin’ Cajun Baseball fans! The UL Alumni Association is offering a travel package to the upcoming baseball tournament in beautiful San Francisco, CA. Come show your support for the Ragin’ Cajuns and enjoy a fantastic weekend of NCAA Baseball.

Each package includes airfare, hotel accommodations, transportation from the hotel to the ballpark, and one ticket for each game.

These packages start at $949 a person and are based on a first come first serve basis.

Please call Darlene at Associated Travel&nbs! p; for full trip details.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this fun-filled, memorable weekend in the beautiful California Bay Area!

Departure Date:  Friday, March 11th, 2011