The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Baseball team welcomed the Southern Miss Golden Eagles for Game 1 of the weekend series. Four runs scored in the fifth helped push the Vermillion and White past the Eagles 5-3.
How It Happened:
Southern Miss’ bats started off cold the first couple of innings as they went three-up and three-down at the top of the first and second.
Louisiana drew first blood, courtesy of Connor Kimple’s single down the right side that brought in Carson Roccaforte from second base, who stole from first the previous play.
The bottom of the second ended with Julian Brock getting tagged out after he tried to steal a base.
The Eagle’s first time getting on base was at the top of the third, as both of the Montenegro brother’s were walked, with Gabe getting walked because he was hit in the foot by a pitch.
Between the bottom of the third and fourth inning, there was only one hit recorded, which was Connor Kimple’s bunt that landed near the pitcher.
The bottom of the fifth inning was huge for Louisiana as Kyle DeBarge’s double down the middle drove in Bobby Lada and Brock. Roccaforte came right back with a two run home run down the left center to give the Cajuns the 5-0 lead.
At the top of the sixth inning, with two outs, the Golden Eagles cut down their deficit to two after Will McGillis homered one down left field and brought home Danny Lynch and Christopher Sargent.
Louisiana left two runners on base in the eighth following Lada being hit by a pitch and DeBarge getting walked.
The Cajuns closed out the game with good pitching from Brandon Talley and secured game one 5-3.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Tommy Ray
In five and a third innings, Ray record six striekouts gave up two runs and two hits.
BIG NUMBER: 11
The Ragin’ Cajuns pitchers Friday night recorded 11 total strikeouts in their 5-3 win over Southern Miss.
UP NEXT: Louisiana (6-4) returns to actions tomorrow after to play Game 2 versus Southern Miss with first pitch at 2 p.m.