LAFAYETTE – Dylan Butler posted a trio of three-hit games and hit .545 in helping the Ragin’ Cajuns to a 4-1 mark last week and a series win at FIU. On Monday, the Sun Belt Conference recognized him as the league’s player of the week.

Butler piled up 12 hits during the five-game week and registered a 1.182 slugging percentage. Half of his hits went for extra bases as he posted a double, two triples and three home runs on the way to 26 total bases in 22 at bats.

It’s the first Sun Belt honor of Butler’s career. The last Cajun named SBC Player of the Week was Chase Compton on Feb. 27, 2012.

Butler joins Austin Robichaux as Cajuns who have received weekly honors from the Sun Belt in 2013. Robichaux was named SBC Pitcher of the Week on April 15 following his complete game, two-hitter with 14 strikeouts at UALR.

“It’s always good to see one of your players named player of the week on Monday because it means that he’s coming off a good weekend,” head coach Tony Robichaux said. “It’s also a credit to Dylan (Butler) for being able to stick with the process without the benefit of a lot at bat bats earlier. Now the process has rewarded him.

“How he earned this honor is a testament to his will and determination,” Robichaux added. “He had to keep working, until the game paid him back, and not give up on himself just because he went through a tough stretch.”

Butler was 4-for-8 with three home runs and six RBI in the final two games of the FIU series that the Cajuns won to claim their first series win over the Panthers since 2007.

His two-run home run on Saturday gave UL a six-run advantage in the third inning of a 9-1 victory. On Sunday, his first home run drew a 2-all tie in the second inning, then he followed with a run scoring single in the fifth inning and two-run home run in the eight inning.

During midweek action, Butler was a combined 6-for-9 in contests with McNeese and Southeastern Louisiana.

The sophomore left fielder ended the week with four multiple-hit games and extended his season-best hitting streak to six games.

The Belle Chasse, La., native is hitting .478 during the month of April which has helped him reclaim a spot in the starting lineup and raised his season average to .333. Butler entered April with a .220 average.

Butler and the Ragin’ Cajuns play their final midweek game on Tuesday, April 30 at Houston. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at Cougar Field. UL is back at “The Tigue” this weekend hosting Arkansas State Friday-Sunday, May 3-5 in a three-game Sun Belt series.

ALL-TIME RAGIN’ CAJUNS SUN BELT PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS (joined league in 1992)
2013: Dylan Butler (4/29)
2012: Chase Compton (2/27)
2011: Mike Petello (5/23)
2010: Alex Fuselier (5/10)
2009: Les Smith (3/23); Greg Fontenot (4/6)
2007: Kolin Hatfield (4/2); Jefferies Tatford (4/9); Jonathan Lucroy (5/7)
2006: Josh Landry (5/22)
2005: Dallas Morris (3/7); Justin Morgan (3/28); Jonathan Lucroy (4/18)
2004: Phillip Hawke (3/22); Dallas Morris (4/12)
2003: Corey Coles (4/28)
2002: Bryan Sneed (4/1); Chase Lambin (5/13)
2000: Rick Haydel (3/20); Will Hawkins (4/3)
1999: George O’Dwyer (3/29); Ryan Gill (4/19); Ian Calais (5/17)
1998: Rick Haydel (4/20)
1997: Kevin Cantrelle (3/31); Justin Hemme (4/14)
1995: Tony Spaulding (3/20)
1994: Brooke Inzerella (3/28); Travis Krause (4/25)
1992: Papo Ramos (4/13)