High resolution Fourier transform spectroscopy and Laser induced fluorescence has been performed on LiCa in the infrared spectral range. We analyze rovibrational transitions of the (2) 2 Σ + -X(1) 2 Σ + system of LiCa and find the (2) 2 Σ + state to be perturbed by spin-orbit coupling to the (1) 2 Π state. We study the coupled system obtaining molecular parameters for the (2) 2 Σ + and the (1) 2 Π state together with effective spin-orbit and spin-rotation coupling constants. The coupled system has also been evaluated by applying a potential function instead of rovibrational molecular parameters for the state (2) 2 Σ + . An improved analytic potential function of the X(1) 2 Σ + state is derived, due to the extension of the observed rotational ladder.