The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns opened up the 2026 softball season with a 6-3 victory over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Friday during the 40th Annual Louisiana Classics held at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Tulsa jumped out to an early lead as Maci Cole hit a leadoff home run off of Lexie Delbrey. Louisiana would respond as Emily Smith blasted a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the frame.
The second inning was nearly identical to the first inning, as Tulsa’s Annika Dill hit a leadoff homer. Louisiana responded with Haley Hart hitting a two-out solo home run in the bottom frame.
The two teams were tied 2-2 heading to the third inning.
The Golden Hurricane scored again in the third, but the run did not come courtesy of the long ball. Cole led off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases, but Delbrey got the next two hitters out. Unfortunately, she would walk Dill to plate another run.
The Ragin’ Cajuns would strike back in the bottom of the third as they plated four runs. Kennedy Marceaux brought in Mia Liscano on a fielder’s choice. Marceaux would later score on a double by Brooke Otto, McKayla Ferguson crossed home on a fly out, and then Otto scored on a single up the middle by Lily Knox.
That proved to be enough run support as Julianne Tipton came in relief for Delbrey and gave up no runs on one hit in four innings as Alyson Habetz’s squad picked up the victory.
BIG NUMBER: 4
The season opener between the Golden Hurricane and Ragin’ Cajuns started with four home runs, with both squads hitting solo home runs in both the first and second innings.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: EMILY SMITH
Louisiana’s three-hole hitter went 2-for-2 at the plate, with a solo home run and drew a walk.
UP NEXT: Louisiana (1-0) will return to the diamond later on Friday when it hosts Jacksonville State. Louisiana will also play two games on Saturday against North Texas at 3:30 p.m. and Jacksonville State at 6 p.m.