University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics

BASEBALL OPENS SEASON WITH DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP

4/5/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

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CAJUN BASEBALL RALLIES TO DEFEAT TULANE ... April 5, 2000

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns made the season-high 3,027 fans at "Tigue" Moore Field wait for a while, but the drama that has gotten the team to its highest ranking ever showed itself yet again.

The No. 4 Cajuns rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth to take a thrilling 3-2 come-from-behind victory over visiting Tulane Wednesday night.

La.-Lafayette's Danny Massiatte cued one that bounced off Green Wave second baseman James Jurries, allowing Tommy Clark to score to give the Cajuns (29-2) their 31st consecutive victory at home. Clark tied the game on a two-out, two-run triple that scored Ryan Gill and Nathan Nelson who each had singles and advanced a base on a double steal.

The rally overshadowed a brilliant pitching performance by both schools. Tulane ace Henry Bonilla (4-2) pitched a gem, allowing only one hit going into the ninth inning. Bonilla struck out 12 Cajuns and gave up only three baserunners entering the final frame. His only hit before the ninth was a first-inning double to Gill.

The senior retired 11 Cajuns in a row at one point, and had masterful control of his curve ball.

On the other side, La.-Lafayette had its bright spots on the mound, as well.

Nick Webb got the start and gave up only four hits in seven innings of work. The junior struck out a season-best eight.

Gordon O'Brien and Trey Bullinger gave the Cajuns a solid outing out of the bullpen, combining to hurl two innings of work with two strikeouts. Bullinger (2-0) got the win after a scoreless ninth inning.

Tulane (20-12-1) seemingly had the game under control after scoring two runs in the second. After a Jake Gautreau single, the Green Wave's Steve Shirley plated the sophomore with a double to right-center field. Shirley moved to third on a passed ball, before James Burgess picked up an RBI groundout.

Webb then settled down and surrendered just two hits over the next five innings to finish off his fifth start of the season.

"We battled them all night," said Cajun head coach Tony Robichaux. "We had a great pitching performance from Nick Webb. If he gives up one more run in that inning, we may lose that game."

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