The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns softball team had one more regular-season series before gearing up for the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Championship Tournament. Their opponent was a Southern Miss Golden Eagles team coming off a series victory against App State. It took a while, but the Vermilion and White drew first blood in the fifth and ended up taking the series opener 2-0. That win improved Louisiana’s record to 26-24 and 12-10 in Sun Belt Conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Mallory Wheeler was Louisiana’s starting pitcher on Thursday night. Through the first four innings, the freshman right-handed pitcher didn’t allow a hit and struck out two batters after facing 13.
It was a slow start for Louisiana on offense. Emily Smith recorded a two-out single at the bottom of the first before Sam Roe grounded out to first base. In the second inning, Savannah White hit a triple down the right-field line with two outs. Gabbie Stutes left White stranded after a groundout at third.
After another three-up-three-down inning for the Golden Eagles, the Cajuns threatened to score and began to pick up the momentum on offense in the third inning. Maddie Hayden singled, and Dayzja Williams followed that up with a hit after there was communication in the infield. Hayden was caught stealing at third base, and Smith popped out for the final out of the inning.
More of the same happened for Louisiana in the fourth as Erin Ardoin got on base with two outs and advanced to third on a single by White, putting runners on the corners. Laney Credeur pinch hit for Stutes and lined out to the third baseman to keep the game scoreless.
The Cajuns scored the first runs of the game in the fifth with Hayden hitting a single to the Golden Eagle shortstop. Williams then singled to first base on a bunt. A throwing error at first base allowed Hayden to score and Williams to get to third on the play. Smith followed that up with an RBI single into left field, putting the Vermilion and White ahead by two.
Louisiana couldn’t add onto its lead in the sixth, but it wouldn’t matter. In the seventh, Southern Miss had one last chance to at least tie the game. Wheeler faced Maddie Weeks, Carrie Green, and Jana Lee, the two, three, and four hole hitters for the Golden Eagles. Weeks grounded out and the other two lined out, securing the 2-0 victory. That win put the Cajuns at 26-24 and 12-10 in Sun Belt play.
BIG NUMBER: 6
Of the seven innings played on Thursday, Southern Miss went three-up-three-down in six of them. The only time four or more Golden Eagles batters stepped up to the plate in an inning was in the second, when pitcher Mallory Wheeler walked Jana Lee, Southern Miss’ best batter.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Mallory Wheeler
The freshman right-handed pitcher had a standout night. The strikeout numbers weren’t high, recording just two, but the Jensen Beach, Florida native didn’t allow a hit all game as the Cajuns took down the Golden Eagles 2-0. That win was Louisiana’s 26th and gives them a 12-10 conference record.
UP NEXT: Game two between the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and Southern Miss Golden Eagles is set for Friday, May 2nd. First pitch from Lamson Park is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.