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The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns and James Madison Dukes met at Lamson Park on Friday night as the Cajuns were looking to get back to a .500 record on the season. It was a pitching duel for most of the contest, but in the end, Lily Romero delivered an RBI single in the top of the seventh to seal a 1-0 victory for the Dukes.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Louisiana and James Madison both got through the first few innings without allowing a run, but it wasn’t for lack of trying as both the Cajuns and the Dukes had chances to strike. The pitching of Mallory Wheeler for Louisiana and 2024 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Payton List kept the damage to a minimum early on.
In the bottom of the third, Louisiana had a pair of runners in scoring position, but List was able to get the critical third out with the punch out of Sam Roe.
JMU threatened themselves in the top of the fifth with a runner in scoring position, but Wheeler induced a ground out to Cecilia Vasquez to end the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, Sam Roe walked before bringing in Dayzja Williams as a pinch runner. Vasquez then bunted Williams over into scoring position with one out. However, the Dukes got out of trouble once again.
James Madison got some action in the seventh as Reagan Wall started the inning with a walk before stealing second and later moving to third on a sacrifice groundout. Then, Lily Romero delivered the game’s first run on a RBI single to right field to make it 1-0 Dukes.
Louisiana had one final chance in the bottom of the seventh, but List got a pair of infield floats and a ground out to end it.
BIG NUMBER: 2007
Now at eight losses in Sun Belt play, this is the most the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns have seen since finishing the 2007 season with eight SBC losses.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Payton List
The stellar sophomore pitched a complete game shutout Friday night, giving up just four hits on the night.
UP NEXT: Game 2 of the series between the Cajuns and the Dukes will take place at Lamson Park Saturday afternoon with first pitch set for 4:00 p.m.
