No. 19 Cajuns Blank McNeese State

LAFAYETTE-Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns softball team pounded out eight hits en route to eight runs, as they blanked McNeese State in mercy-rule fashion, 8-0, in six innings on Tuesday night at Alfred and Helen Lamson Ragin' Cajuns Softball Park.

Louisiana received a nearly perfect pitching effort from sophomore Donna Bourgeois. She tied a career-high with 14 strikeouts in the game. Bourgeois scattered three hits in six innings of work without allowing a walk. Her double-digit strikeout effort marked the ninth time this season she has fanned 10 or more batters in a game. During one stretch, Bourgeois retired eight batters in a row by strikeout.

Bourgeois was helped by an offense that scored eight runs on eight hits including a grand slam. Six different Cajuns collected hits on the night.

Melissa Verde finished the game 2-for-2 with two runs scored and four RBI. The junior belted her fourth home run of the season and her second grand slam of the year. She reached base all four times she stepped to the plate, drawing two walks including on intentional walk.

Vallie Gaspard also had a pair of hits in the game, scoring once.

Heidi Pizer entered the game to pinch hit in the bottom of the sixth inning and made her lone at bat count as she collected an RBI single that clinched the mercy rule.

The Cajuns opened the game with three runs in the first inning. Karli Hubbard and Verde led off the inning with back-to-back walks. Codi Runyan followed with an RBI single to give the Cajuns their first run. Courtney Trahan entered the game to run for Runyan and moved to second on a passed ball by McNeese State. Gabriele Bridges walked to load the bases. Following a strikeout, Christi Orgeron walked to score the second run of the inning. With two outs, Erikka Murphy struck out, but a wild pitch allowed the freshman to reach safely and the third run of the inning to score.

Louisiana scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning to increase their lead to 7-0. After the Cajuns loaded the bases, Verde hit a grand slam over the left field fence to give UL a seven-run advantage.

UL added a run in the bottom of the sixth inning off of a Pizer RBI single.

The Ragin' Cajuns will hit the road for a three-game Sun Belt Conference series with South Alabama. The Cajuns and Jaguars will meet on the diamond for a doubleheader on Friday at 4:00 p.m. UL will conclude the series at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday with a single game.

-www.RaginCajuns.com-

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