University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
South Alabama
Jaguars Sneak By Cajuns In Extras
3/21/2010 11:30:00 PM | Baseball
A passed ball in the 10th kept the game alive for South Alabama and a passed ball in the bottom of the 13th gave the Jaguars a 12-11 victory over Louisiana in the series finale on Sunday at Eddie Stanky Field in Mobile.
The Cajuns (11-9, 2-4 Sun Belt) appeared to have put the game away in the seventh inning, scoring seven runs to break a 3-all tie. Key to the rally was a two-RBI single by Justin Robichaux and two-RBI triple by Kyle Olasin.
The Jaguars (15-8, 5-1 Sun Belt) got new life in the bottom of the eighth as four doubles and a home run produced seven runs and a brand new ball game with a 10-all tie.
Robichaux beat out a double play ball in the top of the 10th inning to buy time for Jordan Poirrier to score and give UL an 11-10 advantage.
Back-to-back, two-out singles for USA put runners on the corners in the bottom of the 10th. A passed ball allowed Zach Grichor to score. It was unfortunate for the Cajuns as on the next pitch Chase Traffica induced a pop out from Sean Laird.
Grichor doubled to lead off the bottom of the 13th and advanced to third on a fly ball out by Jake Overstreet. Traffica struck out Brad Hook for the second out, but on the next at bat a passed ball allowed Grichor to score the winning run.
The loss spoiled a solid relief effort by Traffica who entered with one out in the eighth inning after the Jaguars had scored seven runs. The true freshman pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowed just four hits, struck out five and allowed no earned runs
Louisiana returns to action on Wednesday, March 24 at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge to face LSU. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m.
Greg Fontenot, Tyler Frederick and Matt Goulas each had three-hit games to lead the way for a 17-hit attack by UL. Each hitter in the starting lineup scored at least one run.
Chad Keefer extended his hitting streak to 12 games. He also threw out the Jaguars attempting to steal a base three times as opposing runners fell to 11-of-23 against him in stolen bases this season.
T.J. Geith started the game for Louisiana and wound up with a hard-luck no decision. Through seven complete Geith had held the Jaguars to three runs on six hits and exited the game with a 10-4 lead.
UL's next Sun Belt series will take place at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field Friday-Sunday, March 26-28 against Florida Atlantic. Game times are 6 p.m., 3 p.m., and 12 Noon.
Brian Bowman drew a leadoff walk to start the game, moved to second on a Goulas sacrifice and advanced to third on a single from Poirrier. He would score on a Keefer sacrifice fly - the first earned run off of USA starting pitcher Lance Baxter this season.
A bloop double into shallow right field followed by a hit by pitch gave USA two runners with no outs in the bottom of the second. After a sacrifice bunt, Taylor White singled to center to score Laird then on the relay throw Robichaux misplayed the ball allowing Tyler Vick to score and give USA a 2-1 lead.
Louisiana pulled even in the fourth inning. Alex Fuselier drew a one-out walk from Baxter and a wild pitch advanced him to second base. Frederick made Baxter pay by lining a single up the middle to score Fuselier.
The teams traded runs in the sixth. UL received an RBI single from Fontenot for a brief 3-2 lead. USA answered with a Vick home run to left field.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
