The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns opened up its Sun Belt Conference series against Texas State on Friday night at Lamson Park with a 5-3 victory over the visiting Bobcats.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After Texas State stranded two runners in the top of the first, Louisiana got things going in the bottom frame as the Ragin’ Cajuns plated two runs in the inning.
Mihyia Davis drew a leadoff walk and then was joined on the base paths as Jourdyn Campbell laced a double down the right field line. Three batters later, Lauren Allred drew a two-out walk and then Alexa Langeliers hit it up the middle to bring home Davis and Campbell.
Louisiana added to its lead by scoring three more runs in the bottom of the third.
After a leadoff single by Victoria Valdez, Texas State pitcher Jessica Mullins got the next two batters out but then gave up a single to Laney Credeur and then walked Karly Heath to load the bases.
Allred then stepped into the batter’s box and hit a bases clearing triple just inside the left field line.
Texas State climbed back in the game in the top of the fifth inning.
After Louisiana’s Meghan Schorman struck out leadoff hitter Megan Kelnar, Texas State’s Ciara Trahan and Hannah Earls reached base with singles. After a sac bunt by Piper Rudolph, the Bobcats had runners on second and third with two outs.
Sarah Vanderford then hit a ball towards Stormy Kotzelnick but she threw it away and the error scored two Bobcats. Another error — this one by Campbell — allowed another run to cross home plate.
Kandra Lamb though was able to stop the rally and silenced the Bobcats the rest of the way. In relief, Lamb gave up no runs on no hits in 2 1/3 innings of work while striking out five and walking one.
BIG NUMBER: 5
Louisiana scored all of its runs when the team was down to its final out. The Ragin’ Cajuns scored all five of their runs with two outs in Friday’s win.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: LAUREN ALLRED
The Ragin’ Cajuns first baseman went 1-for-2 with a walk but came up clutch in the bottom of the second when she laced a bases clearing triple. Those runs proved to be the difference in the ball game.
UP NEXT: Louisiana (31-12, 12-1 SBC) will host Texas State (26-16-1, 6-5-1 SBC) on Saturday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.