The University of Louisiana baseball team got their first win at the “Tigue” after beating Virginia Tech 2-0 in the first of the three-game weekend series. Starting pitcher Conor Angel played a large part in UL’s first home win.
How It Happened:
It was a pitching duel through the first three innings.
The Ragin’ Cajuns ended the top of the first inning for Virginia Tech with a double play.
UL wasn’t able to get anything done offensively, despite some highlight defensive plays. Virginia Tech starting pitcher Chris Gerard struck out five batters in the first three innings.
UL catcher Sebastian Toro caught Nick Biddison out at second base to end the top of the third inning.
Toro led the bottom of the third with a base hit to right field. He advanced to scoring position, but Toro was left on second after Gerard struck out Justin Greene to end the third.
UL’s Angel allowed only one hit through four innings pitched. However, Virginia Tech caught Alex Hannie stealing second base and UL remained scoreless through four.
Jonathan Windham began the bottom of the fifth inning with a single to centerfield for the Ragin’ Cajuns. A Virginia Tech error on a throw to first base gave UL two runners on second and third base with no outs. That was followed by another error and Windham scored from third for the first run of the game. The Ragin’ Cajuns led 1-0 with no outs.
Virginia Tech managed to earn two consecutive outs, including throwing out Colton Frank at home. UL’s Gavin Bourgeois hit a RBI single down centerfield to drive home Toro for a 2-0 lead. Connor Kimple struck out swinging with runners on second and third to end the bottom of the fifth inning.
Virginia Tech stranded one runner on third base after Brennan Reback struck out. The Ragin’ Cajuns followed suit by leaving a runner on third entering the seventh inning.
Neither team was able to put a run on the board in the seventh. Angel struck out seven batters through seven innings. His night was over after 7.1 innings pitched. He threw 102 total pitches and 64 strikes on 26 batters faced. Jacob Shultz replaced Angel.
Virginia Tech loaded the bases at the top of the eighth with only one out. Shultz recorded the second out by striking out Reback. Virginia Tech still had the bases loaded but UL escaped the inning after a pop out fly to right field.
Jaison Heard replaced Gerard on the mound but only lasted 2/3 innings before Peyton Alford took over for Virginia Tech.
Hayden Cantrelle hit a double with two outs but Ben Fitzgerald flied out to end to eighth innings.
Connor Cooke replaced Shultz in the ninth inning. UL proceeded to record three outs for the first shut out of the season and their first home win under head coach Matt Deggs.
Big Number: 0
It’s the first time in the early season the Ragin’ Cajuns held an opponent scoreless. They were able to hold Virginia Tech even after the Hokies loaded the bases in the eighth innings.
Player of the Game: Conor Angel
Angel got the start for the Ragin’ Cajuns and kept Virginia Tech off the scoreboard. He pitched 7.1 innings and only allowed three hits. Angel struck out seven batters on 26 batters faced.
Up Next: At home for game two vs Virginia Tech, Saturday Feb. 22; First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.