University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Bradley
Gaspard Helps Cajuns Claim Title
2/14/2010 11:34:00 PM | Softball
Gaspard, a speedy slapper from Maurice, La., posted a .571 batting average over the weekend. She scored eight runs on four hits and recorded four RBI for the tournament. Four other Cajuns also garnered all-tournament honors.
In the 5-0 start, UL outscored the opposition 52-4.
Game One
In the first game against Bradley, UL would strike first, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Britni Soria reached base on a fielding error, stole second and advance to third on a ground out by Nerrisa Myers. She would cross the plate after Amanda Clack was called for an illegal pitch.
Two singles by Lana Bowers and Soria would drive in two runs in the third inning. With Soria and Bowers on the corners, the Cajuns would execute a double steal, allowing Bowers to cross the plate and take a 4-0 lead after three innings.
The Cajuns would continue to score in the fourth after loading the bases. Melissa Verde grounded out to first bases but the runners were able to advance. Pinch runner, Courtney Trahan, scored UL's fifth run on the afternoon on Verde's out. Christi Orgeron would draw a walk to reload the bases. Back-to-back, two-RBI doubles by Bowers and Soria stretched the Cajuns' lead to 9-0.
Donna Bourgeois proved effective in the circle against Bradley. In five innings, she struck out four and walked none. The Braves managed just one hit, hitting into seven ground outs.
Bowers and Soria both finished with two hits and three RBI. Katie Smith finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored.
Game 2
The second proved a struggle for UL. After holding opponents scoreless through 24.0 innings, the Cajuns found themselves trailing 1-0 after the first against Syracuse. Syracuse was able to post runners on the corners after drawing two walks and grabbing a stolen base. On a steal attempt at second, Bowers committed a throwing error, allowing Lisaira Daniels to score from third. The run was unearned.
But the Cajuns would not be down for long. Erikka Murphy and Gabriele Bridges would draw walks in the top of the second. Then with two outs, Vallie Gaspard singled to left field and Murphy would score to tie the contest, 1-1.
UL would reclaim the lead in the next innings. Verde would lead off with a single. Trahan would come as a pinch runner and steal second. Bowers then hit a double into the corner in right field, allowing Trahan to cross the plate.
Syracuse would respond in the bottom of the second inning, scoring three runs on four hits to take a 4-2 lead.
But a six-run, fourth-inning rally by the Cajuns would retake the lead or good. The inning would start with UL loading the bases after a walk and two singles. Smith would reach first allowing Bridges to score from third. A two-RBI single by Verde would drive in two more runs before Christi Orgeron would send one over the centerfield fence. All runs were scored with no outs on the board.
After allowing Syracuse to grab four runs in third, Brittany Cuevas shutdown the Orange for the remainder of the game. In the final four innings, she struck out four batters and allowed only one hit. She finished the game with nine strikeouts and four walks.
The Cajuns will now head to Houston for the Marriott Inivitational, Feb. 19-21. In the first game, UL will take on Iowa State on Friday at 11:00 a.m. CT.
Louisiana Classic All-Tournament Team
Donna Bourgeois, UL
Lana Bowers, UL
Vallie Gaspard, UL
Christi Orgeron, UL
Melissa Verde, UL
Kate Singler, Bradley
Taylor Cox, Bradley
Brandi Ore, Bradley
Veronica Grant, Syracuse
Stephanie Watts, Syracuse
MVP - Vallie Gaspard, UL
