No. 18 Cajuns Edged by No. 3 Texas A&M, 1-0

COLLEGE STATION, Texas-On a blustery, cold, windy day, a pitcher's duel was expected between the No. 18 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns and the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies and the game was just that. The two teams were deadlocked at 0-0 for six and a half innings, until the Aggies broke the scoreless tie and came away with a 1-0 win at the 2008 Aggie Classic.

The Cajuns (12-4) were a victim of a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh inning. Texas A&M (23-3) bunted to move the runner and was able to beat out the throw to first to give the Aggies runners on first and second with no outs. An RBI single up the middle plated the only run of the game and saw the Cajuns on the wrong side of a 1-0 final score.

Despite the loss, the Ragin' Cajuns received a stellar effort in the circle from sophomore pitcher Brittany Cuevas (Brazoria, Texas). The reigning Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year limited the No. 3 team in the nation to just pair of hits over the first four innings and six hits for the game. After allowing a leadoff walk in the second inning, Cuevas retired seven consecutive base runners before surrendering a single. She finished the game with six strikeouts, including several crucial Ks to keep the Aggies off of the scoreboard.

Offensively the Cajuns scored no runs on four hits. Holly Tankersley (Kirbyville, Texas) paced the Cajuns with two hits including a double.

Freshmen Katie Smith (Ruston, La.) and Gabriele Bridges (Lafitte, La.) each had a hit in the game as well.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the final inning. The two teams combined for one run on 10 hits and five walks.

Hits came at a premium as both teams relied on excellent pitching and solid defense.

The Cajuns got a one out single from Tankersley in the first inning, but were unable to generate any other hits and left the runner stranded.

In the third inning, Smith drew a free pass with two outs in the inning, but was called out for leaving base early.

The Aggies threatened in the bottom of the fifth inning. With no outs, the A&M lead off batter singled back to Cuevas, but the throw to first was off the mark and rolled into the outfield allowing the runner to advance all the way to third base.

With a runner on third and no outs, Cuevas struck out the next batter for the first out. The next Aggie reached on a fielder's choice as Cuevas fielded the bunt and opted to look the lead runner back to third. A walk loaded the bases with just one out. Texas A&M hit the ball back to Cuevas who retired the lead runner, saving a run. With the bases still loaded and two outs, the next batter hit a fly ball to shallow left centerfield. Karli Hubbard (Lafayette, La.) made an outstanding catch on the run to end the inning and leave the score knotted at 0-0 after five complete innings.

The Cajuns had a chance to plate the first run of the game in the top of the sixth inning. With two out, Tankersley doubled to the gap in right centerfield. Vallie Gaspard (Maurice, La.) entered the game to pinch run for Tankersley, but would get no further as a pop up to shortstop ended the inning and the Cajuns' threat.

UL worked out of a jam in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cuevas walked the leadoff batter on four straight pitches. The sacrifice bunt attempt popped up to Melissa Verde (Beaumont, Texas) for the first out of the inning. The next batter struckout looking, but the Aggies followed with a single to left field to move the lead runner into scoring position. Cuevas responded by striking out the next batter on four pitches.

The Cajuns got a base runner in the top of the seventh inning, but never moved the runner past first base.

The Ragin' Cajuns continue play in the 2008 Aggie Classic on Saturday afternoon with a pair of games. The Cajuns will open the day with BYU before taking on the tournament-host Aggies. The games are slated for 12:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m., respectively.

-www.RaginCajuns.com-

No. 18 Cajuns Edged by No. 3 Texas A&M, 1-0

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No. 18 Cajuns Edged by No. 3 Texas A&M, 1-0

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