STARKVILLE, Miss. — For the second time in three years, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns have advanced to an NCAA Regional final.
Louisiana outslugged Cincinnati 8-6 on Sunday afternoon at Dudy Noble Field, and advanced to the Starkville Regional final later on Sunday night to take on host Mississippi State.
Matt Deggs’ team also advanced to the final at the 2024 College Station Regional, falling to host Texas A&M.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Louisiana’s Andrew Hermann found himself in trouble in the first inning.
He gave up a one-out single to Derrick Pitts and then walked Quinton Coats on five pitches. After getting Jack Natili to pop up, Hermann tried to pick up the runner at second, but it went into the outfield, which allowed the runners to advance to second and third. Enzo Infelise then laced a single into left field that plated two runs to give the Bearcats the early lead.
Louisiana’s Blaze Rodriguez led off the bottom frame with a single to right centerfield, but the Ragin’ Cajuns were unable to take advantage as Bearcats’ Connor Blue got the next three hitters out.
In the bottom of the second, Drew Markle led off with a home run over the centerfield wall. Donovan LaSalle then reached base with a single to left field, Maddox Mandino was hit by a pitch, and then Josh Lim loaded the bases with a bunt single.
Noah Lewis stepped to the plate but struck out looking, and Rodriguez reached on a fielder’s choice that scored LaSalle. Mark Collins then hit a single up the middle that scored Mandino to give the Cajuns a 3-2 lead.
In the bottom of the third, the Cajuns extended their lead with a two-run home run by LaSalle.
Cincinnati answered in top of the fourth as Infelise singled down the third base line and then Cal Sefcik lifted a pitch into the second tier of seats beyond the left field wall.
The Bearcats tied the game in the top of the sixth.
Hermann gave up a leadoff single to Infelise and was pulled Tyler Papenbrock. He managed to get the two hitters out, but then gave up a single to Jackson Smith and then a single to Neihaus, which scored Infelise.
Neihaus then stole second, and Papenbrock walked Ryan Tyranski to load the bases with two outs. After a mound visit, Papenbrock then walked Pitts, who brought home the go-ahead run.
Louisiana tied the game in the bottom of the frame as LaSalle hit his second home run of the day, once again over the wall in center-right. Lim got on with a single and then advanced to second on a passed ball and then to third on an error. Lim was out at home on a fielder’s choice by Lewis but he would score on a single by Rodriguez.
Louisiana added to its lead with a solo home run by Colt Brown in the seventh.
Cincinnati threatened in the top of the ninth by getting two runners on with two outs, but Papenbrock got a final groundout to seal the win.
BIG NUMBER: 4
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns blasted four home runs in Sunday’s victory, with LaSalle hitting two of them, with Brown and Markle hitting one each.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: DONOVAN LASALLE
The Ragin’ Cajuns’ first baseman hit his 12th and 13th home runs of the season when he lifted pitches over the wall in center-right field in the third and sixth innings, as he went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBI.
UP NEXT: Louisiana (41-24) will face Mississippi State in the Starkville Regional final. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.