The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns returned to San Marcos for the semifinals of the Sun Belt Softball Championship to face Libby Baker and the Troy Trojans.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Mihyia Davis was walked to start the game before moving to second on a Maddie Hayden sac bunt before coming in to score on a throwing error to give the Cajuns a 1-0 lead without a base hit.
In the third, Troy took a 2-1 lead off a two-run single from Libby Baker, the Trojans pitcher who threw a no-hitter against Coastal Carolina on Thursday. Through 5.2 innings this afternoon, Baker looked well on her way to a second straight no-hitter and a spot in the Sun Belt Conference Championship game.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Cajuns broke the no-hitter after a walk from Sam Roe allowed Brooke Ellestad to hit a single to center that put runners at the corners with two outs. Then, on the first pitch of the at-bat, Victoria Valdez launched a three-run home run to left field to give the lead to Louisiana 4-2.
In the seventh, Troy got a pair of base runners with a walk and single before Sam Landry was pulled for Chloe Riassetto, who Landry replaced earlier in the game. Baker flew out for the third out, sending Louisiana to the title game.
BIG NUMBER: 2
The Cajuns needed just two hits in the contest to win the game 4-2 behind a three-run homer from Valdez in the sixth.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Victoria Valdez
Valdez came up big when her team needed her the most as the catcher launched a three-run home run to left field to put the Cajuns ahead late.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will play in the Sun Belt title game for the 10th straight time, looking to win their fifth consecutive title when they face the winner of Texas State and South Alabama at 1pm Saturday.