Led by a strong outing on the mound by Jack Burke and a four-hit performance by Carson Roccaforte, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns defeated the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 7-0 on Monday afternoon at Russo Park.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Ragin’ Cajuns struck first in the bottom of the first inning.
With two outs, Tyler Robertson was hit by a pitch from Casey Green, and then stole second base. Carson Roccaforte then stepped in the batter’s box and hit a single into right which scored Robertson.
In the second, Connor Kimple led off by being hit with a pitch and then Brennan Breaux got an infield single to put runners on first and second.
After a sacrifice bunt by Drake Osborn advanced the runners to second and third, Kimple scored on a fielder’s choice by Kevin Fitzgerald.
Those would be the only runs the Ragin’ Cajuns needed as Jack Burke was dealing. Burke struckout a career-high eight Chanticleers, including retiring the side in the fourth with strikeouts.
The Ragin’ Cajuns added two more runs in the third.
Fitzgerald led off with a double in the gap in left-centerfield. Fitzgerald advanced to third after a sac bunt by Robertson.
Roccaforte singled which drove in Fitzgerald and then advanced to second on an error. Kimple then singled to right center which scored Roccaforte.
The Ragin’ Cajuns plated two more runs in the seventh, both on bases loaded walks, and then one more run in the eighth.
BIG NUMBER: 14
The Ragin’ Cajun pitchers combined to strike out 12 Chanticleers during Monday’s game. Burk led the way with eight strikeouts but Will Moriarty fanned three in two innings of work. Peyton Havard added one more strikeout while David Christie added two more.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: JACK BURK & CARSON ROCCAFORTE
The Ragin’ Cajuns senior pitcher was stellar on the mound as he gave up only one hit, two walks and a career-high eight strikeouts in five full innings. Roccaforte meanwhile led the team at the plate by going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI.
UP NEXT: Louisiana (14-11) returns to action this weekend when it travels to Monroe to take on ULM in a three-game conference series.