Baseball: UL pitching rotation set for NCAA Regional

Tim Buckley, May 29, 2013

UL Ryan Wilson throws a pitch against Arkansas State at M.L. ‘Tigue’ Moore Field in Lafayette. / Leslie Westbrook, The Advertiser

UL coach Tony Robichaux has set his starting pitching rotation for this weekend’s LSU-hosted Baton Rouge NCAA Regional, a Ragin’ Cajuns spokesman said today.

Ryan Wilson (6-4, 3.35 ERA) will open in UL’s first game at the Regional, 7 p.m. Friday vs. Southland Conference regular-season champ Sam Houston State.

Usual No. 1 Austin Robichaux (8-2, 3.20) will start UL’s second game Saturday and usual No. 2 Cody Boutte (8-3, 5.27) will start if the Cajuns play a third game Sunday in the four-team, double-elimination Regional.

Wilson, a junior lefty, has started 11 games this season and come out of the bullpen in 10.

The transfer from Seminole State College in Oklahoma threw a complete-game four-hitter in a win shortened to seven innings by a 10-run mercy rule last Saturday in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field.

If the Cajuns win Friday and No. 4 national seed LSU beats SWAC Tournament-winner Jackson State in its Regional opener Friday, Robichaux — a sophomore righty — will match up against Tigers ace Aaron Nola in a winner’s-bracket game at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Robichaux threw a complete-game, nine-inning four-hitter against South Alabama in the Sun Belt tourney, which Florida Atlantic won with a 16-8 win over UL last Sunday.

Boutte was pushed back in part because he’s been bothered by, according to Tony Robichaux, a sore shoulder and a sore back in his last two starts.

The 41-18 Cajuns are scheduled to leave Lafayette for Baton Rouge at 2 this afternoon and plan to practice Thursday at LSU’s Alex Box Stadium.