The James Madison Dukes will host the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in a key conference series, as this is important for both teams because of their losing records against the Sun Belt.
This is the third time these two programs will meet in a series. The previous two ended in sweeps, with James Madison sweeping the series in 2023 and Louisiana sweeping the series in 2025.
The Dukes return home after losing a close series against Arkansas State last weekend. The largest margin of victory was two runs. Despite the defeat, they bounced back with a victory over Georgetown on Tuesday, in a game that featured four lead changes and three ties.
The Dukes jumped out early with two runs in the first inning, but Georgetown responded with three of its own. The Hoyas added another run in the third before James Madison had two in the fourth to tie it at four. Both teams had two runs in the fifth, and Georgetown tacked on a run in the sixth.
That was Georgetown’s last run as James Madison scored six unanswered in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings to take the 12-7 victory.
It was a much-needed victory for the Dukes, who had lost six of their previous seven games entering the matchup.
Jack Anderson was the premier hitter for James Madison in that game as he had four RBIs, a career high. Josiah Seguin, Clay Thompson, and Ryan Gocio each drove in two runs.
Louisiana’s last game was a 10-7 loss to McNeese. The Ragin’ Cajuns trailed 10-1 at the end of the sixth inning, before scoring six runs in the seventh to make it a closer contest. They have also been in a slump, losing six of their last eight.
Louisiana’s batting unit has struggled in the Sun Belt. They are last in all the slash line statistics with a line of .247/.357/.372, last in RBIs with 136, last in runs at 155, and last in hits at 229.
This season, the Ragin’ Cajuns have been led by senior infielder Lee Amedee. Amedee leads the team with 32 hits, runs with 23, and tied in RBI’s with 17. His slash line on the season is .323/.452/.495, tops the team in all three categories.
Playing this series on their field could work in the Dukes’ favor. They have been a good home team all season, with a record of 9-4 at home. Louisiana is 4-5 on the road.
Louisiana has the better overall record as they are 18-11, compared to James Madison, who sits at 13-14. However, both teams have struggled in conference play. James Madison is 4-5, and Louisiana is 3-6.
First pitch in the series is set for Thursday, April 2, at 6:00 p.m. ET.
TV: ESPN+
Radio: ESPN 106.9 FM/1360 AM WHBG and James Madison All-Access (JMU). Ragin’ Cajuns Digital Network (Louisiana)
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