University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Wichita State
Bats Stay Hot as Cajuns Blast Wichita State
4/6/2007 5:00:00 AM | Softball
The Cajuns jumped out in front with five runs in the first inning and then tacked on six runs over the fifth and sixth innings after the Shockers had pulled within 7-4.
Melissa Verde led the Ragin' Cajuns (3-0) with four RBI and Codi Runyan added three RBI to pace the Cajuns offense.
Holly Tankersley scattered four hits over 5 1/3 innings for her second victory in the tournament. She struck out six WSU hitters.
Desi Chatman tied a school record with four walks and scored a team-high four runs.
The Shockers (1-3) benefited from a three run home run by pinch hitter Lindsie Mitts to score three of their four runs.
The Cajuns got back-to-back singles from Meagan Godwin and Tankersley to begin the first inning. After Lacey Bertucci popped out at shortstop, Runyan ripped a single into center field to score Godwin with the game's first run.
Chatman drew the first of her four walks to load the bases. Verde then hit into a fielder's choice grounder to second base. The throw from Brooke Usher wasn't in time to catch Tankersley at the plate and was out of the reach of catcher Tawnya Guthrie allowing Runyan to scamper in from third base and increase the lead to 3-0.
Runners remained on second and third base for Karli Hubbard with two outs and she delivered a single into shallow center field that allowed both Chatman and Verde to score pushing the Cajuns lead to 5-0.
UL added single runs in the third and fourth innings getting RBI doubles from Godwin and Verde to take a 7-1 advantage.
Tankersley issued two free passes in the bottom of the fourth inning and then surrendered a two-out, three-run home run to Mitts which trimmed the Cajuns lead to 7-4.
Margo Pruis had trouble finding the strike zone for WSU in the fifth inning and the Cajuns took advantage. Tankersely was hit by a pitch and then Pruis issued four straight walks to force home two more runs stretching the UL lead to 9-4.
The Cajuns added one more run when Vallie Gaspard hit an infield grounder to second base. The throw to try to catch Chatman at home plate was not in time and the Cajuns lead grew to 10-4.
A two-run home run by Runyan highlighted the sixth inning and provided the necessary runs to enforce the mercy rule.
Chatman then drew her fourth walk of the contest and moved to second on a wild pitch. Verde doubled off the top of the wall in center field to score Chatman and make it 13-4.
Tankersley recorded the first out in the bottom of the sixth inning. Redshirt freshman Amanda Hill entered the pitcher's circle and recorded the final two outs.
Britnee Barnett was charged with the loss for the Shockers. She surrendered seven runs on eight hits over 3 1/3 innings. Pruis allowed an additional six runs over two innings despite allowing only one hit. Seven walks issued spelled doom for Pruis.
The Ragin' Cajuns returned to action at
