Grading the Cajuns vs. App State – From the Bird’s Nest

No one in the Sun Belt Conference had a series sweep this past week.  That means, after week one, Louisiana, South Alabama, Arkansas State, Troy and UTA all are in first place with a 2-1 record.

Louisiana won game one against Appalachian State, 3-0, lost game two 12-4 and won game three 4-3.

Here's how I grade the Cajuns' performance.

PITCHING:  B Plus--While the Saturday pitching wasn't really good, I'm not going to penalize the grade much because of that, especially that five run ninth.  The reality is, the Friday and Sunday pitching was stellar.  Gunner Leger and Wyatt Marks combined on a four hitter, and Hogan Harris and Evan Guillory gave up just one earned run on Sunday.  That's how you win a series.  Guillory was especially impressive and seems to have embraced his new role.  The Cajuns' bullpen just got better.

HITTING--  C:  There were flashes.  Steven Sensley had a mammoth home run on Friday and five hits in the series.  Izzy Edwards continues to impress and, after a tough first two games, Alex Pinero had three hits on Sunday.  But the Cajuns were terrible with RISP on Friday and there are still plenty of holes in the lineup.  I'm going to give App State's pitching some of the credit here, but that timely hitting thing is still missing in action for the most part.

DEFENSE:  B :  The Cajuns made three errors on the weekend and two in one inning on Sunday could have cost them a win.  And, the Cajuns made a couple of fundamental mistakes that cost them runs by throwing to the wrong base and not hitting the cutoff man.  Louisiana did a lot more good things than bad, however.  The left side of the infield continues to be rock solid and the Cajun outfield is getting to balls they need to get to.