FULLERTON, Calif.-Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns softball team saw their 12-game winning streak snapped on Thursday night with a 2-0 loss to Nebraska at the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif.
Offensively, the Cajuns (13-3) collected six hits compared to just three by Nebraska (13-4). Karli Hubbard led all Cajuns with a pair of hits in the game. She finished the game as the only UL player with multiple hits in the game. Vallie Gaspard, Katie Smith and Melissa Verde each collected hits on the night.
Donna Bourgeois (11-2) took the loss for the Cajuns. The Lafayette native held Nebraska to just three hits, but fell victim to a pair of Louisiana errors. Bourgeois allowed just one earned run and struck out seven batters on the night without issuing a walk.
Nebraska threatened in the first inning. After a leadoff single, the Husker batter stole second base to move into scoring position. A Bourgeois strikeout recorded the first out of the game, but a ground out to first base moved the runner over to third. Bourgeois slammed the door shut on the threat with an inning-ending strikeout.
Like Nebraska, the Cajuns threatened in the first inning. With one out, Hubbard got things started with a single to left field. Verde advanced Hubbard to second and reached base herself thanks to a Cornhusker error. Nebraska worked out of the jam, retiring the next two Ragin' Cajuns in order.
Louisiana once again threatened in the fourth inning. Back-to-back singles by Verde and Codi Runyan started things off on the right foot for the Cajuns, but neither batter would advance as back-to-back strikeouts and a fielder's choice ended the inning.
The Cornhuskers broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fifth inning. A line drive single put a runner on base for Nebraska and a pitch in the dirt moved the runner into scoring position. A two-out single to left field was enough to plate the runner and give the designated visiting team a 1-0 edge.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Cajuns threatened once again but were unable to score any runs. Hubbard singled to third base and for the second time in the game Verde reached base on an error. Either runner would advance as the Nebraska pitcher fanned the next three Ragin' Cajuns batters.
Nebraska added an unearned run in the top of the seventh inning to increase their lead to 2-0. With one out, Bourgeois fanned the next batter but the pitch was wild and allowed the runner to reach base safely. An error by the Cajuns left the Huskers with runners on the corners with one out. A ground out plated the runner, and a second ground ball ended the inning.
The Cajuns loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning. Lana Bowers walked to start things off and hits by Gaspard and Smith loaded the bases with just one out. Hubbard stepped to the plate and lined a shot to third base. The Husker third base man caught the line drive and was able to double up the runner on third base.
The Ragin' Cajuns softball team will resume play in the 2009 Judi Garman Classic on Friday afternoon as they take on Michigan (3:00 p.m. Central) and Fresno State (7:30 p.m. Central).
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