The University of Louisiana softball team wrapped up the 34th Annual Louisiana Classics at Lamson Park by taking a split in Saturday’s pair of games. After No. 8 UL dropped the first game 2-1 to North Texas, the team ended the day with a 11-1 victory over UTSA. After the opening weekend, the Ragin’ Cajuns are 3-1 on the young season.
How It Happened:
In the bottom of the fourth against North Texas, UL tied the game after Kaityln Alderink got on with a double and then was brought home after a single up the middle by Alissa Dalton.
After two scoreless innings, North Texas took the lead in the top of the seventh.
UL’s Megan Kleist had been pitching well but Mean Green pinch hitter Kourtney Williams hit a solo home run off of Kleist.
Kleist earned the loss despite giving up two runs (one earned) while scattering five hits over seven innings and striking out 11.
The Ragin’ Cajuns were unable to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh and dropped their first game of the season.
UL claimed its lead early in the win over UTSA.
After two innings of scoreless ball, the Ragin’ Cajuns got on the board with the long ball. With two outs, Julie Rawls powered a pitch into the left field stands for a three-run home run.
In the fourth, UL added to its lead in a big way.
The Ragin’ Cajuns loaded the bases with two walks, and a single by Dalton. Sarah Hudek then drew a walk which brought in a run and Raina O’Neal’s swinging bunt down the third-base line brought in another. Rawls then drew a walk herself and that brought another run across home plate. Taylor Roman was up next and drew a walk which plated another run.
Brittany Holland stepped into the plate next and there would be no walk to first base this time. Holland took a pitch over the centerfield wall for a grand slam giving the Ragin’ Cajuns a 11-0 lead.
Ellyson came out in the fifth but gave up a leadoff home run to Riley Grunberg. The blast by Grunberg would be her first of the contest and then she walked Taylor Medina. Ellyson though managed to get the next batter Tori Villareal to hit into a double play and was relieved by Casey Dixon.
After walking the first batter she faced, Dixon was able to get the final out as UL for the second-straight day mercy-ruled UTSA.
Big Number: 8
UL scored eight runs in the bottom of the fourth but did so by recording only two hits — a single by O’Neal and the grand slam by Holland. The other four runs were scored on walks as the Cajuns drew five walks, and had one player hit by a pitch, in the frame.
Players of the Game: Summer Ellyson & Brittany Holland
Even with surrendering a home run in the fifth, Ellyson still put together a dominant performance. The former Teurlings Catholic star gave up only the one earned run and one hit while striking out eight batters in 4 2/3 innings.
Holland meanwhile went 1-for-2 with the grand slam in the fourth inning — her first collegiate home run.
Next Up: UL will return to action on Tuesday when it hosts Lamar. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.