University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Arizona State
Cajuns Rally Falls Short Against Arizona St.
4/22/2007 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Ragin' Cajuns (29-11) batted around in the top of the eighth inning en route to four runs. In the top of the ninth inning, the Cajuns scored three more runs and had the tying run at the plate before the Sun Devils recorded the final out of the game and secure the victory.
Starting pitcher Hunter Moody (5-3) took the loss for the Cajuns. Moody worked just 3.1 innings, allowing six runs, with four earned runs. The southpaw walked an uncharacteristic four batters, hit two batters and committed a balk while striking out one batter.
Kyle Mickles entered the game for the Cajuns and came up big in relief. Mickles surrendered just one run in 2.1 scoreless innings. He struck out three batters without issuing a free pass. He kept the Sun Devils within range of the Cajuns comeback.
Offensively, the Cajuns scored eight runs on 11 hits. For the first seven innings of the game, the Cajuns were handcuffed by the Sun Devil's starting pitcher Josh Satow. The Ragin' Cajuns struck out 14 times?11 at the hands of Satow?and were victims of some tremendous ASU defensive plays.
The Cajuns, who subbed in a multitude of players while down by 10, got six hits and a pair of walks from their bench.
Kolin Hatfield and Blaine LaFleur were the only two players to collect multiple hits on the night. Hatfield had a double and a single, while scoring a pair of runs. LaFleur scored a run and drove in two more while collecting a pair of singles on the night.
Dustin Miller drew two of the Cajuns four walks on the night. The speedy outfielder came around to score both times he was on base in both the eighth and the ninth.
The Sun Devils didn't waste any time putting runs on the board. ASU's first batter of the game laid down a bunt to start the game. The Cajuns charged it, but the throw was off the mark and the error placed the first runner of the game on base.
In the top of the third inning, Hatfield appeared to have doubled down the left field line, but
The Cajuns did cut into the ASU lead in the third. Following Hatfield's out, William Long became the first Cajuns' baserunner as he drew a walk. Devon Bourque singled through the right side to give UL runners on the corners. A fielder's choice plated Long from third and trimmed the Sun Devil lead to 5-1.
The Sun Devils added a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Three consecutive one-out singles loaded the bases. A strikeout recorded the first out of the inning, but a walk plated a run to extend the
In the eighth inning, Hatfield led off the inning with a double to left centerfield. Long stepped up to the plate like he should have done in the third inning, with a runner on second and no out. Long singled up the middle, advancing Hatfield to third. A fielder's choice erased long, but plated the first run of the inning. Miller worked the count full before drawing his first base on balls of the night. With two outs, LaFleur singled to left centerfield to score Xavier Alexander from second base. Tim Santiago followed with a single up the middle to plate Miller. Devery Van De Keere delivered a pinch hit single to left centerfield to score LaFleur from second. ASU recorded the final out of the inning, but the Cajuns had narrowed the lead to 11-5.
After retiring the Sun Devils in order, the Cajuns stepped up in the top of the ninth and continued to rally. Hatfield led of the inning with a four-pitch walk. Alexander doubled to right field with one out, advancing Hatfield to third. For the second time in as many innings, Miller worked the count full before drawing a walk. Casbon singled through the left side to score the lead runners. LaFleur singled to left field to score Miller from second.
The Cajuns will look to avoid the sweep on Sunday afternoon as they conclude the series at
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