The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns opened up Sun Belt Conference tournament play with a 7-0 victory over ULM on Wednesday. With the win, the Cajuns advance to the winner’s bracket.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Kandra Lamb got herself out of a first-inning jam and never looked back.
After striking out ULM’s leadoff hitter Jayden Mount and getting Alysia Anderson to fly out, Lamb walked Korie Kreps and Kennedy Page reached on an error. Lamb got out of the jam by having Kennedy Johnson hit into a fielder’s choice.
Lamb would keep the Warhawk bats silent as she gave up only one hit (a single to Jessica Williams in the second) as she picked up the win.
With Lamb dealing, Louisiana seized control at the plate by scoring four runs in the bottom of the third inning.
Sophie Piskos hit a one-out single up the middle and then was joined on the basepaths by Alissa Dalton who drew a walk.
Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Ciara Bryan then reached on a fielder’s choice as ULM opted to get Dalton out at second.
After Bryan stole second base, Piskos scored on a throwing error. Bryan then stole third base and was brought home by a single to right field by Kaitlyn Alderink.
Kendall Talley then drove in Alderink with a double hit down the third-base line, and Justice Milz singled to centerfield to score Talley.
Louisiana extended its lead in the bottom of the fourth with two more runs.
Karly Heath led off by drawing a walk and was joined by Piskos who got on with a single up the middle. The bases would be loaded after a bunt single by Dalton.
Two batters later, Heath and Piskos scored on a sacrifice fly by Alderink.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Bryan drew a walk, stole second base, then advanced to third on a throwing error and scored on the error.
BIG NUMBER: 1
The Ragin’ Cajuns pitching staff surrendered only one hit in seven innings on Wednesday. Lamb gave up the lone hit in the second inning.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: Kandra Lamb & Kaitlyn Alderink
Lamb pitched a gem against the Warhawks giving up only one hit, zero runs while striking out seven in five innings Alderink meanwhile went 2-for-3 at the plate with one run scored and three RBI.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will play the winner of the South Alabama-App State game. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. on Thursday.