University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
ULM
Eight Run Fifth Inning Lifts Cajuns Against Louisiana-Monroe
2/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Ragin' Cajuns have won nine straight season openers dating back to 1998.
LAFAYETTE-Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns opened the 2006 baseball season with an 8-2 win over in-state rival Louisiana-Monroe at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field on Tuesday night.
The win marks the ninth straight season opener the Cajuns have won. The Cajuns (1-0) improve to 10-2 in season openers under head coach Tony Robichaux, who is just one victory shy of 400 wins at UL.
The Cajuns used an eight run fifth inning to jump out to an 8-1 lead against Louisiana-Monroe (0-4).
The fifth inning started with Alex Preciado reaching base on a fielding error by ULM's second baseman. Preciado advanced to second on a wild pitch by David Mixon.
After a Cajuns strikeout, the Indians preceded to walk the next three batters, plating Preciado for UL's first run of the evening, tying the score at 1-1.
The Ragin' Cajuns would add another run on a Jared Jennings' wild pitch.
Jameson Parker reached base on a fielders choice to give the Cajuns the bases loaded with just one out. A double by Jonathan Lucroy cleared the bases giving the Cajuns a 5-1 advantage.
Doubles by Jefferies Tatford and Preciado drove in two more runs in the inning extending the Cajuns lead to 7-1.
Freshman Scott Hawkins singled to score Preciado and give UL an 8-1 advantage.
The Indians would add a run in the seventh inning to make the score, 8-2, but ULM would get no closer as the Cajuns pitching staff held the Indians scoreless in the final two innings.
Sophomore starter Hunter Moody pitched 6.0 innings for the Cajuns allowing just one unearned run. The Clinton, La., native allowed only five hits, striking out five and walking two.
The Cajuns' Brandt Sanders entered the game in the seventh inning in relief of Moody. Sanders allowed only one run on two hits in 2.0 innings.
Chad Beck closed out the game for the Cajuns. In his Cajuns debut, Beck pitched one scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out one.
Offensively for the Cajuns, Lucroy drove in three of the Cajuns eight runs. His double in the fifth inning broke the game wide open for UL.
Tatford and Preciado both added a pair of hits on the night. Preciado scored a pair of runs driving in one, while Tatford scored a run and had an RBI.
The Cajuns will return action as they travel to Ruston, La., to take on in-state foe Louisiana Tech in a three game series. The first game between the Cajuns and Bulldogs will be on Friday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
