University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Texas State
Texas State Pitching, Defense Downs Cajuns 2-0
2/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Sunday, February 22, 2004
SAN MARCOS, TX- Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns put in a good showing; but came up short in the rubber match of the first road series of the season as they were shut out by Texas State 2-0 in San Marcos, TX
Kevin Ardoin got the loss going 5.2 innings surrendering five hits, two runs (one earned), walking three and striking out two.
Tom Robbins picked up his second win of the season for Texas State, pitching six scoreless innings and striking out four Cajuns batters. Dominic Ramos saved his second game of the series for the Bobcats retiring the Cajuns in the ninth
The game had the feel of a classic pitcher's duel early as both hurlers cruised through their respective opposing batting orders going three full innings in just over 30 minutes. Ardoin and Robbins combined for only five strikeouts and two runs (both to Texas State).
John Coker Bunted to reach first to start the game and advanced to second on Justin Merindino's grounder back to the pitcher. Rhett Buras sent Coker to third on a ground out to the left side. Robbins would escape the threat with a routine fly ball to right.
Dominic Ramos reached on a wild pitch after taking strike three swinging. Ramos would be thrown out on a double play off the bat of Evan Tierce, clearing the base pads. Ardoin got out of the inning on a Mark Cooper hot shot back to the mound.
Justin Bourque doubled in the second with two outs for the Cajuns; but Robbins would again get the fly ball out to right to get out of the inning.
Ardoin sat the Bobcats down in order in the bottom halves of the second and third innings.
Ryan Core drew a walk with one out in the fourth and went too second on Micah Cockrell's single to left. Robbins would pitch his way out of the jam with some defensive help to escape the fourth without allowing the Cajuns to do any damage.
The Bobcats scored first when centerfielder Evan Tierce reached on a fielding error to reach first in the bottom of the fourth and came around to score on a Cooper double to the left center wall giving Texas State a 1-0 lead. Cooper was thrown out at the plate after a Texas State single to end the inning.
Kyle Anson singled into center field to open the bottom of the fifth for Texas State and Emi Alaniz walked to put runners on first and second with no outs. Ardoin made a heads up defensive play to retire the lead runner at third on a fielder's choice. Pat Crumpton would move the baserunners over on a grounder fielder by the Cajuns pitcher unassisted before Ramos drew a walk. The Cajuns got help from a diving grab in the glove of Leonard Guerrero in left, robbing the Bobcats of extra runs for the final out of the inning.
Cooper doubled in the bottom of the sixth and came in to score on a Richard Martinez double to center field. Martinez went to third on a ground ball out to first. Alaniz walked to put baserunners on the corners with two outs. Salazar came in to get out of the inning; but the Bobcats would pull ahead 2-0.
Salazar retired the Cats in order in the seventh eighth innings and Texas State reliever would reciprocate in the top of the eighth.
Ramos came in to pitch in the ninth and got defensive help from left fielder Matt Miller and second baseman Jose Rodriguez to save the game for the Cats.
The Cajuns will be back in action at home Wednesday night for a contest against the Nicholls Colonels set for 6:30 p.m. at Moore Field.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
