University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Louisiana Tech
Bulldogs Snap Cajuns Win Streak
4/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Ragin' Cajuns had only six hits in the contest
RUSTON, La.-For the second week in a row, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns baseball team took a four-game winning streak into J.C. Love Field and came out on the losing end. This time the Cajuns (20-13) fell to Louisiana Tech (21-13) by a score of 9-3.
The UL's offense was non-existent in the first five innings. The Ragin' Cajuns starting fielders generated only one hit in the first five frames. UL cleared the bench as the starters were unable to get anything accomplished.
Jonathan Lucroy was one of the only starters to generate anything offensively. After most of the substitutions had been inserted into the lineup, Lucroy hit his team leading fifth homerun of the year.
The UL pitching staff surrendered nine runs on 13 hits. Collectively they struck out eight batters, but gave up five walks on the day.
The Cajuns fell behind early in the contest. In the first inning, starting pitcher Jeff Martinez hit the first batter he faced. He struck out the next Bulldogs' batter, but issued a walk to the next batter. Martinez proceeded to give up three consecutive hits to allow Louisiana Tech to score four runs and take a 4-0 lead after just one inning of play.
The Bulldogs added some runs in the second inning to extend their lead over the Cajuns. Martinez surrendered a single to lead off the inning and head coach Tony Robichaux went to the bullpen. Cody LeBlanc came into the game in relief. He walked the first batter. The Cajuns recorded the first out of the inning as Louisiana Tech hit a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners to scoring position. LeBlanc struckout the next Bulldog batter, but gave up a two RBI double. UL escaped the inning without any more damage but trailed 6-0 after two innings.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Cajuns threatened but could not produce any offense. Jefferies Tatford was hit by a pitch ? his team leading 12th hit by pitch. Tatford was only the third baserunner of the day for the Cajuns. Jonathan Lucroy drew a four pitch walk to move Tatford into scoring position ? the first UL player of the day in scoring position.
After holding the Bulldogs scoreless in the third inning, the Cajuns surrendered three more runs to fall behind 9-0. The Cajuns started the inning by walking the leadoff batter. The Bulldogs attempted a sacrifice bunt, but LeBlanc fielded the ball and his throw to first base was off allowing both runners to advance. Jonathan Smith entered the game to pitch. He gave up a two run single to left centerfield to extend the Bulldogs lead. Louisiana Tech used a pair of groundouts to advance the runner to third base and brought the runner home on a two-out single.
The Ragin' Cajuns showed the first signs of life on the afternoon in the top of the sixth inning. Matt Hicks picked up the second Cajuns hit of the day as he singled through the left side. Designated hitter Scott Hawkins hit a double to give UL a pair of runners in scoring position. Devery Van De Keere hit a sacrifice fly to deep right field to plate the first Cajuns runner of the day. Lucroy stepped up to the plate next and hit his team leading fifth homerun of the season. The homer cut the LT lead to 9-3.
The score would remain 9-3 as neither team could score in the final innings.
The Ragin' Cajuns return to action on Friday through Sunday with a conference series against New Orleans at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field. Game times for the games are Friday at 6:35 p.m.; Saturday at 3 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
