LAFAYETTE — For the first time since 2002, the nationally ranked University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns softball team will host a regional at Lamson Park when they hit the field today.

The regional appearance is the 22nd in UL history and 14th straight as the Cajuns won their 11th Sun Belt Conference regular season championship in the last 12 years.

The Cajuns (49-4) are the No. 14 overall national seed and will face a familiar opponent in Mississippi Valley State in the opening round today at 6 p.m. UL defeated the Devilettes, 21-0, in the 26th Annual Louisiana Classics on Feb. 12.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to host,” co-head coach Michael Lotief said. “I think it’s a reward and a testament to the girls’ body of work throughout the season. This is big for the fans and community and will help this sport grow. I think our fan support is one of the best in the country.”

Joining UL and MVSU at Lamson Park will be No. 15 Stanford (38-17) and No. 23 Baylor (33-20), who will play the opening game of the regional tournament today at 3:30 p.m.

“These are teams with rich softball history,” Lotief mentioned. “These are teams that have paid the price to win and expect to win. It’s going to be a war, and it’s going to be fun.”

The winner of the Lafayette Regional will face the winner of the Tempe Regional, featuring No. 3 overall seed Arizona State, LIU Brooklyn, Long Beach State and Syracuse, for the right to go to the 2012 Women’s College World Series.