University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Cal State Fullerton
Cal State Fullerton Slips Past UL, 9-6
3/21/2010 10:43:00 PM | Softball
The No. 23 Cajuns now fall to 16-11 on the season.
Erikka Murphy would tally the Cajuns' first run in the opening frame. She would reach first on a walk, steal second and score on a double down the left line by Christi Orgeron.
UL's slight lead would be erased in the bottom of the inning. The Titans would score three runs on four hits, including a two-RBI double by Triana Harrison.
Back-to-back walks and a base hit by Vallie Gaspard would load up the bases for the Cajuns in the second inning. UL would get one run back after the Titans tried to double up Gaspard on a pop-out to the pitcher. But an errant throw back to first base allowed pinch runner Courtney Trahan to score from third.
Another two-RBI hit by Fullerton's Harrison would push the Titans' lead to 5-2.
Orgeron looked to get things going in the third, hitting a deep ball to right field that looked to be a home run. But Kadie Baldwin would save the home run, going over the fence for the grab. The next batter, Gabriele Bridges made sure Baldwin would not be able to save another run, blasting one over the right fielder's head for her eighth home run of the season.
The Cajuns would keep chipping away on Fullerton's lead in the fourth inning. Murphy reached base on an error and eventually moved over to third base on a walk by Orgeron and a wild pitch. The speedster then plated the Cajuns' fourth run, beating out a play at the plate on a fielder's choice by Bridges.
But Harrison would come through for Fullerton again, belting a two-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth to claim an 8-4 advantage.
However the Cajuns refused to quit, scoring two runs in the fifth inning. Nerissa Myers led off the inning, reaching on a fielding error. She would steal second and move to third on hit by Gaspard. The duo then executed a double steal with Myers scoring. Gaspard brought the Cajuns to within two, scoring from second on a double by Murphy. Murphy looked to have a triple in the books but was thrown out on a close play at third.
The Titans would post another run in the bottom of the fifth inning on two hits and one error by the Cajuns to stretch the lead to 9-6.
Cuevas fell to 9-4 on the season. In six innings of work, Cuevas struck out five while walking three. She gave up 12 hits, while the Cajuns scattered just seven of their own.
Vallie Gaspard was the sole Cajun to record multiple hits, going 2-for-4 on the day. Five other players recorded a hit.
The Cajuns will return to action on Saturday as they open up Sun Belt play at Western Kentucky with a three-game series. Saturday's double header is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. CT.
