Former Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns pitcher/first baseman Justin Robichaux made his debut with the Pensacola Pelicans of the the independent American Association on Friday, June 25, beginning his career in profressional baseball.

Robichaux, the son of Ragin’ Cajuns head coach Tony Robichaux, had signed with the Pelicans earlier this week.

Robichaux entered the game in Pensacola in the seventh inning with the Pelicans holding a 6-5 lead over the Grand Prairie AirHogs.

The Crowley native pitched a scoreless and hitless seventh and eighth inning in relief to help preserve the win for the Pelicans and starting pitcher Bryan Rembisz.

Robichaux made his first appearance on the mound since UL’s meeting with Le Moyne College on April 24.

Robichaux joins fellow teammates Zach Osborne (Spokane Indians) and Dayton Marze (Auburn Doubledays) as Cajuns who have begun their professional careers this summer.

Louisiana now has three former players in the American Association. Former Cajuns Phillip Hawke (Lincoln Saltdogs) and Jason Fernandez (Fort Worth Cats) also play in the league.

Robichaux set UL’s single-season school record with nine saves as a sophomore in 2008. He earned ABCA/Rawlings All-South Central region honors in 2009 after taking over as a starting pitcher midway through the Sun Belt schedule and holding opponents to 37 hits over 38 innings while maintaining a miniscule 0.71 ERA over six starts.

As team captain in 2010 – which was his senior season – Robichaux went 2-1 with a 3.55 ERA in six outings. He also committed only one error in 368 chances at first base and hit .279 with 24 RBIs as the Cajuns won a share of the Sun Belt title and advanced to the NCAA Austin Regional.

Robichaux, named to the regional all-tournament team this past season, finished his four-year career at UL tied for the most career saves (12) in school history.

To keep track of Robichaux’s progress for the remainder of the Pensacola Pelican’s 2010 season click here to visit their web site.

— Ragin’ Cajuns —