University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Missouri
No. 6 Missouri Overtakes No. 18 Cajuns, 11-6
2/27/2010 5:43:00 PM | Softball
COLUMBUS, Ga. - A fifth-inning grand slam was the deciding factor as No. 6 Missouri was able to come from behind and overtake No. 18 Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns softball team at the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Saturday, 11-6.
The Cajuns now sit at 9-4 on the year. Missouri improves to 6-2.
In the top of the first inning, Missouri would lead things off with a double down the left line. After a walk, the Tigers would hit a single up the middle scoring both runners for an early 2-0 lead.
But the Cajuns would knot the score at 2-2 after one inning. Melissa Verde would start the bottom of the inning with a single to center field. Courtney Trahan would replace her as a pinch runner and then score as Gabriele Bridges hit her fourth home run of the year to right field.
UL's bats would continue to produce in the second inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Verde would ground out to second base but drive in pinch runner Jensen Tydelski from third for a 3-2 lead.
Lana Bowers would blast the Cajuns' second home run of the day to start the third inning. The solo shot would put the Cajuns up 4-2.
Missouri would threaten after loading the bases in the fourth with one out. After scoring one run, Brittany Cuevas would catch the next two Tigers swinging to get out of the jam.
Missouri would load the bases again in the top of the fifth on two hits and a walk. But the Tigers were able to hit a grand slam with two outs to retake the lead, 7-4.
In the sixth inning, Missouri would tack on three more runs on two hits.
The Tiger would add one more insurance one in the seventh.
Bridges would close the gap in the seventh after hitting her second, two-run home run of the game, but it was too little too late.
Brittany Cuevas (6-1) picked up her first loss of the season. In seven innings of work, Cuevas struck out eight but allowed 10 hits on the afternoon.
Bridges would finish the day, 3-for-4 with four RBI and two home runs. Verde, Erikka Murphy, Taryn Broussard and Vallie Gaspard also had two hits apiece.
Later this afternoon at 5:30 p.m. CT, the Cajuns will face No. 11 Georgia Tech.
