The Georgia State Panthers (28-20, 13-8 Sun Belt) didn’t want to get put behind the proverbial eight ball like they did on Saturday. They started out strong with a two-run shot from Megan Litumbe, but the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (36-6, 17-1 Sun Belt) responded in a big way en route to a 14-6 victory in five innings.
Haley Hayden gave the Cajuns the lead in the bottom of the first with a three-run blast. Aleah Craighton followed that up a solo shot to make it 4-2.
It began to look similar to the first game between these two as they got all the way through the lineup before ending the inning with a 7-1 lead after DJ Sanders was caught stealing second. However, the Panthers weren’t about to end the series that way as they got four runs across in the top of the third with a two-run single from Kensey Caldwell followed by a two run double from Kirsten McMonigle to make it a one-run game.
Craighton responded in a big way with a three run blast, her second of the game to make it 10-6. The Cajuns completed the sweep thanks to three errors in the bottom of the fifth punctuated by a fielding error by Baylee Sexton that allowed Haley Hayden and Sanders to reach home to get the mercy rule victory.
Alex Stewart came on in relief of Alyssa Denham and got her 17th win of the season with two and a third shutout innings. The senior wound up striking out two on the afternoon.
The Cajuns will have their final home series of the regular season next weekend against Coastal Carolina (29-19, 7-13 Sun Belt) with first pitch for game one of the doubleheader set for 2 pm.
-Clint Domingue