The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns softball team defeated the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 3-0 on Wednesday night at Lamson Park. The Cajuns have now won two straight and will head back into Sun Belt play this weekend.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Cajuns started with Sam Ryan in the circle. She gave up a leadoff hit but worked around it to post a zero in the opening frame.
The Bulldogs countered with Allie Floyd. She cruised through her half of the first, also posting a zero and keeping the game scoreless after a frame.
This game quickly turned into a pitchers’ duel, as both sides played crisp defense and kept the opposition off the scoreboard. In the bottom of the third, Erin Ardoin walked and got to third. Emily Smith came through with a sacrifice fly for an RBI to give Louisiana a 1-0 lead.
Ryan continued to set down Bulldog batters, and she worked scoreless into the fifth. After catching a line drive to end the inning, she had made it through five innings of one-hit, no-run ball.
In the bottom of the fifth, UL finally added to their lead. Maddie Hayden worked her way on and was tripled home by Mia Loscano. Then, Sam Roe came through with a two-out RBI single to bring home another run and make it 3-0.
Down the stretch, Ryan continued to excel. She rolled a double-play ball to end the game and complete the shutout.
BIG NUMBER: 0
The Cajuns pitching staff struggled to keep Coastal off the board over the weekend. However, they bounced back in a big way, led by Sam Ryan. The shutout was just the third of the season for UL.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Sam Ryan
Perhaps a trip back home re-energized Ryan. She did not pitch much against Coastal, but she tossed a complete game shutout in this win.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will travel to Troy to face the Trojans for three games in SBC play beginning Friday night at 6:00.