The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (18-17, 6-7 Sun Belt) are really starting to turn the corner and Friday night was another prime example, coming back late in the ballgame to take down Appalachian State (8-24, 1-12 Sun Belt).
How It Happened
The Mountaineers came out of the gates strong with a three-run double in the bottom of the first from Conner Leonard. However, Colten Schmidt was able to lock things down after that. The Cajuns got on the board with two runs coming across after an error committed by App State’s shortstop Joel McDaniel.
The top of the eighth saw the Cajuns tie it up with a groundout to second by Daniel Lahare scored Jonathan Windham. Later in the inning, Gavin Bourgeois put Louisiana out in front with an RBI single out to left field.
Schmidt improved to 4-0 on the year allowing three runs off of five hits, walked two, and struck out two in eight innings of work. Nick Lee got his first save of the season, striking out the side in the ninth to give the Cajuns their third straight win.
Big Number: 3
After a rough first inning for Schmidt, he was able to pull it together allowing three hits the rest of the way. Add in three strikeouts by Nick Lee in the ninth, it was an overall success for the pitching staff in a game that saw a total of ten hits on the evening.
Player of the Game: Schmidt
It seems almost unfair to give another player of the game honor to Schmidt, who has received Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week honors the last two weeks but he’s been too good to ignore. Outside of the rough first, he was able to get the job done and remain undefeated on the season. There’s a reason why Robichaux moved him to Friday.
Next Up: Game Two; First Pitch set for 2 pm
-Clint Domingue