The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (32-23, 17-12 Sun Belt) had the offense firing on all cylinders on Friday night, clinching the Sun Belt Western Divsion in the process with a 9-6 victory over UL Monroe (23-30, 10-19 Sun Belt).
How It Happened
The Warhawks got on the board in the top of the second when Chad Bell scored off of a groundout by Gino Marucci. Later in the inning, Joey Jordan made it 2-0 with a two-out RBI single to third base.
The Cajuns responded in the bottom of the third with Hayden Cantrelle hitting an RBI single out to right center. Gavin Bourgeois followed that up with a groundout to shortstop that scored Jonathan Windham to even things up at two runs apiece.
Things started to turn in Louisiana’s favor in the fourth with a four run inning highlighted by an RBI single from Todd Lott. The Warhawks made it a 6-3 ballgame in the fifth with an RBI single up the middle by Bell. However, Zach LaFleur responded with a sac bunt to first base get Hunter Kasuls home safely.
Daniel Lahare started to close the door on the Warhawks hopes with an RBI single up the middle, but Cantrelle slammed it shut with an inside the park home run in the eighth.
Hogan Harris improved to 5-1 on the season allowing three runs off of six hits, walked two, and struck out five in seven innings of work.
Big Number: 10
Logan Stoelke came up huge in the 9th with the Warhawks threatening to get back into the ballgame after an RBI single from Khan. He got the first batter he faced to ground out to earn his 10th save of the season.
Player of the Game: Hayden Cantrelle
The leadoff spot is working wonders for him, going two for five with a pair of RBIs on Friday night. Add in an impressive inside the park home run, it’s been a good weekend for the Teurlings product.
Next Up: Regular Season Finale; First Pitch 3 p.m.
-Clint Domingue