University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Florida International*
Ragin' Cajuns Down Florida International in Series Opener
4/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MIAMI-Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns extended their winning streak to a season long five games with a 6-1 victory over Sun Belt Conference opponent Florida International. The Cajuns (25-13, 8-2 Sun Belt Conference) extended their conference winning streak to seven games.
Hunter Moody (7-2) picked up the win for the Cajuns as he pitched a gem. The southpaw hurled 8.1 innings, scattering eight hits. He allowed just one run ? a leadoff homerun in the second inning ? and struck out six. Moody pitched his way out of several jams and was aided all night by excellent defense by the Ragin' Cajuns.
Three Cajuns had multiple hits on the night. John McCarthy, Devery Van De Keere and Josh Landry all had a pair of hits each on the night. All three scored a run, but it was Landry who drove in a pair of runs in the sixth inning that put the Cajuns ahead.
Closer Chad Beck earned his fourth save of the season. The entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth and struck out the only two batters he faced.
The Ragin' Cajuns started the game with a pair of hits. McCarthy and Devon Bourque both singled through the left side of the infield to give UL a pair of base runners, but the runners would go no further as Florida International retired the next three Cajuns batters in order.
In the second inning, the Cajuns once again started the inning with a base runner. Jonathan Lucroy drew a base on balls to start the inning. However, for the second inning in a row, UL would not be able to do anything with the leadoff runner on. Lucroy was called out on a double play as the Cajuns failed to get anything going.
After retiring the Golden Panthers in order in the first inning, Moody surrendered his third homerun of the season. FIU's Nick Cadena lifted a Moody pitch over the left centerfield fence in the second inning to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third inning, Moody surrendered a pair of hits with one out to give FIU runners on first and second. Moody escaped the threat as he induced the first of three Ragin' Cajuns double plays on the night to end the inning.
Moody pitched his way out of a jam in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Golden Panthers got their first base runner of the inning as Van De Keere bobbled a ball at third base. FIU singled to continue the inning and a hits batsman loaded the bases with just one out. Moody struck out the next two Panther batters to end the inning and avoid any runs from scoring.
The Cajuns scratched out a run in the fifth inning. Josh Landry singled to right field to start the inning for UL. Landry moved to second base as he stole his ninth base of the season. Jameson Parker singled up the middle to score Landry and tie the score at 1-1.
UL added a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning. Jefferies Tatford was hit by his team leading 13th pitch to give the Cajuns a base runner. Alex Preciado reached base thanks to catcher's interference. The Cajuns loaded the bases as Lucroy reached base on a fielder's choice. The Golden Panthers' second baseman tried to get the lead runner at second base but drew the shortstop covering the bag off the base to load the bases for the Ragin' Cajuns. Landry singled to left centerfield to plate a pair of runners and give UL a 3-1 lead.
The Cajuns threatened in the seventh inning. The Cajuns had runners on the corners with one out. Scott Hawkins lifted a ball to deep centerfield. The Golden Panthers' centerfielder Chris Dunn made the routine catch and displayed his arm strength as he threw out Bourque at home plate.
Moody worked himself out of another jam in the bottom of the eighth inning. With runners on first and second, Moody induced a double play to end the threat and send the Cajuns into the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead.
UL added some insurance runs in a crazy ninth inning. McCarthy bunted for single to start the inning. Bourque attempted to move the runner over on a sacrifice bunt. An error by the FIU third baseman not only allowed Bourque to reach base safely, but allowed McCarthy to reach third base. McCarthy scored and Bourque moved to second base on a passed ball. Van De Keere attempted to lay down the sacrifice bunt, but managed to beat out the throw for an infield single. Van De Keere moved into scoring position on a groundout.
The Cajuns added two more runs on a unique play in the ninth. Preciado attempted another sacrifice bunt. Preciado reached base safely on a fielder's choice. Bourque was caught in a run down. He was called out as five different Golden Panther players touched the ball. Van De Keere alertly tried to reach third base on the play. FIU's pitcher Walker Whitley, who was the last person to touch the ball on the run down of Bourque, tried to throw Van De Keere out at third base. His throw was off the mark and end up in left field. Van De Keere came across to score. Preciado managed to score from first base on the three-base error.
Florida International would load the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning, but the Ragin' Cajuns pitching staff would not allow anyone to cross home and hold on to the 6-1 victory.
The Cajuns and Golden Panthers will continue the three-game series on Saturday at University Park. First pitch is scheduled for 12 noon Central Standard Time.
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