UL Dealt Another One-Run Loss

Louisiana loaded the bases twice in the final four innings, but the timely hit never came and as a result Florida Atlantic claimed a 4-3 victory Sunday afternoon in the rubber match of a Sun Belt series at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field.

Chad Keefer extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a solo home run with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning to move Louisiana (12-12, 3-6 Sun Belt) within a run of the Owls (15-8, 6-3 Sun Belt).

Tyler Frederick followed Keefer's homer with a single. Then with two outs FAU reliever Ryan Bernal hit Justin Robichaux and Greg Fontenot reached on a fielding error to load the bases. Bernal would recover and get Kyle Olasin to bounce out to shortstop for a force out at second base.

Joey Satriano, who pitched 3 2/3 innings of relief and held FAU hitless through 12 batters faced, retired the Owls in order in the ninth to give the Cajuns a chance.

However, FAU closer/right fielder Andy Mee shut the door for the second consecutive day with a perfect ninth inning.

Louisiana remains without a Sun Belt series victory through three weekends of league play and dropped to 10-8 at "The Tigue" this season.

UL returns to action on Tuesday, March 30 as the squad hosts Northwestern State at "The Tigue". First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

The eighth inning wasn't the only threat the Cajuns had down the stretch. In the sixth, back-to-back two-out singles by Frederick and Matt Goulas followed by a Robichaux walk loaded the bases. FAU starter Kevin Alexander got Fontenot to fly out to center to end the threat.

Alexander collected the victory after tossing six innings and surrendering only two runs on eight hits. Barry Rooks and Bernal combined for two innings of two-hit relief to hold the lead for Alexander.

Jordan Poirrier, Frederick and Goulas each posted two-hit games for the Cajuns. Frederick increased his hitting streak to 12 games.

Each of Louisiana's last four losses has come by one run, the past three by identical 4-3 scores.

Michael Cook, making his first start in Sun Belt play this season, took the loss for the Cajuns. He allowed four runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.

For the third straight game Brian Bowman started the game with a run scored in the first inning. He was hit by a pitch, stole second base and scored on an Alex Fuselier double to right center for a quick 1-0 lead.

FAU drew even on an Eddie Cassidy RBI single in the second inning. Mike Albaladejo laid down a bunt single to load the bases and Anthony Mesa followed with a sacrifice fly to score Colby Gratton with the go ahead run.

FAU now leads the all-time series 6-5 and claimed a series win at "The Tigue" for the second straight season.

-- Ragin' Cajuns --

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