BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns advanced to the finals of the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional with a 4-0 win over McNeese late Saturday night.
With the victory, the Ragin’ Cajuns advanced to the finals of a NCAA Regional for the 13th consecutive season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Ragin’ Cajuns struck first in the top of the second inning. Jade Gortarez led off with a single to center field and then later stole second base.
After back-to-back fly outs, Karly Heath hit a two-run home run off of Cowgirls starter Jenna Edwards.
The Ragin’ Cajuns added another run in the third.
Ciara Bryan led off with a single through the right side, stole second base and then advanced to third on a throwing error.
Kaitlyn Alderink was then hit by a pitch to runners on the corners with one out. Pinch hitter Bailey Curry grounded into a double play but Bryan managed to cross home plate.
McNeese threatened in the bottom of the third.
Cori McCray led off with a single to third base and advanced to second on a throwing error.
Jill Poullard would foul out on a bunt attempt and Kaylee Lopez grounded out to second, but McCray did advance to third on the out.
Summer Ellyson got out of the jam by striking out Haylee Brinlee.
In the fourth McNeese put another runner on the base paths as Alayis Seneca got a one-out single but Ellyson got the next two hitters to pop up and strike out.
The Ragin’ Cajuns added to its lead in the top of the seventh. Julie Rawls drew a leadoff walk and would score after a pair of errors by the Cowgirls.
McNeese tried to mount the comeback in the bottom of the seventh.
Alayis Seneca hit a single to the shortstop and beat out the throw at first. Chloe Gomez then reached first base on a fielding error.
Kandra Lamb was brought in to replace Casey Dixon — who had relieved Ellyson to start the sixth inning. Lamb got Aaliyah Ortiz and Tiffany Steczo to strike out and Cori McCrary to pop out.
BIG NUMBER: 9
The Ragin’ Cajuns pitching staff frustrated the Cowgirls inside the batter’s box. McNeese struck out looking a total of nine times in Saturday’s contest.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Summer Ellyson
Ellyson bounced back in a big way after not lasting a single inning earlier against LSU. Ellyson gave up no runs on four hits while striking out seven in five innings.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will take on LSU in the finals on Sunday. First pitch is set 1 p.m. If the Ragin’ Cajuns win they would play the Tigers a second time at 4 p.m.