Coming off an exciting 7-1 victory over No. 21 Auburn on Wednesday night, Troy’s softball squad will host not only the top team in the Sun Belt Conference but one of the best team’s in the country.

#8 Louisiana-Lafayette will visit the Troy Softball Complex for a three-game series beginning with a doubleheader today at 1p.m.

The Trojans (19-7, 1-2) will look to reverse their fortunes against the Ragin’ Cajuns. Troy is just 3-16 versus Louisiana-Lafayette since joining the Sun Belt in 2006.

“Our girls have worked really hard all year but particularly this week in preparation for this string of games,” head coach Melanie Davis said. “We look for the win over Auburn to help us prepare for the weekend.”

Davis said after the win over Auburn that the team had bought into a philosophical plan that was executed to perfection against the Tigers and hopes will be just as effective against Louisiana-Lafayette.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (28-0, 3-0) present a formable challenge as they not only bring a potent offense but also a stingy pitching staff.

Jordan Wallace and Preseason All-American Ashley Brignac have evenly shared duties inside the circle. Wallace (14-0) has tossed 85 2/3 innings and has held opponents to a .173 batting average. Brignac (11-0) and thrown 82 2/3 innings and has struck out 83 batters.

Christi Orgeron leads Louisiana-Lafayette offensively. Orgeron’s 11 homeruns leads the Sun Belt while her 55 RBI is tops in the country.

“We’re going to face quality pitching and quality hitters this weekend,” Davis said. “Hopefully, we will have the right mental approach needed to beat a good team like Lafayette.”

Davis said after the Auburn game that her team showed a level of intensity that she had not seen in a team in quite some time.

The Trojans will likely send Ashley Rainey (9-3) to the circle in the first game on Saturday. The freshman was the winning pitcher on Wednesday against Auburn and has tossed seven complete games thus far this season.

The Ragin’ Cajuns will also likely also see Jaycee Affeldt (5-4), who defeated Mississippi earlier this season, and Sarah Thomas (3-0).

To Rainey, a series win would be a big confident boost for the team.

“It would get the team back rolling again,” Rainey said. “We are kind of an underdog so we like pulling the upset.”

The matchup with Auburn kicked off a eight-game home stand for the Trojans that will stretch through April 1.

Troy and Louisiana-Lafayette will wrap things up with a 1p.m. contest on Sunday.