The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns fell to the Arkansas State Red Wolves 3-0 on Thursday night inside M.L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park. The loss moves the Cajuns to 15-13 in Sun Belt play with just two games left to play.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Cajuns (25-28) went with lefty Chase Morgan on the mound. He faced the minimum in the first, with a strike-out-throw-out double play helping him out.
The Red Wolves (25-26) countered with right-hander Gavin Galy. He used just six pitches in his first frame, hitting a batter but stranding him on first base to keep the game 0-0.
Things remained scoreless until the top half of the fourth inning. In that frame, Patrick Engskov lifted a solo home run to left, giving the Red Wolves a 1-0 lead. Morgan’s day would end after that frame, giving up the one run in four innings of work.
Tate Hess came in and struggled immediately. He allowed four consecutive hits after retiring his first batter. The big blow was a two-run home run from Ashton Quiller that made it 3-0.
Galy was excellent for Arkansas State. He navigated six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and no runs.
The Cajuns’ offense was not able to get anything going on this night. They only threatened a couple of times, and never saw a runner even reach third base. The 3-0 score held as Arkansas State took game one of the series.
BIG NUMBER: 0
The Cajuns’ offense was shut out for just the third time this season, joining games against McNeese and Texas State. The Red Wolves’ pitching staff kept the Cajuns’ hitters off balanced all night.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Ashton Quiller
The freshman came up big in the leadoff spot for Arkansas State, going 3-5. He also added a home run and a couple of RBIs in helping the Red Wolves’ offense along.
UP NEXT: The Cajuns and Red Wolves meet for game two tomorrow night at 6:00 PM at Russo Park.