University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
UALR
Cajuns Continue Late Inning Heroics
4/30/2011 2:00:00 AM | Baseball
Three run scoring singles in the eighth inning broke a 3-all tie and lifted Louisiana to a 6-3 win over UALR in the series opener Friday evening at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field.
The Cajuns (24-19, 11-8 Sun Belt) began the frame with back-to-back singles by Greg Fontenot and Mike Petello. Jordan Poirrier then found a hole in the right side of the infield and shoved his single into right field allowing Fontenot to cross home plate with the game-winning run.
After a UALR pitching change, Michael Strentz and Matt Goulas greeted reliever Nick Grimmet with back-to-back singles that pushed across two insurance runs.
Joey Satriano then retired the side in the ninth inning to cap off the Cajuns' 14th consecutive win over UALR (16-24, 6-13 Sun Belt).
The series continues Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 3:06 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the Sun Belt Network and aired by CST and CSS. Jordan Nicholson (3-2, 2.54 ERA) gets the start for UL and his mound opponent will be Ryan Juris (1-2, 6.04 ERA).
Satriano tossed three innings of scoreless, one-hit relief of starter Taylor Hubbell and collected his fourth victory of the season. With his effort, the bullpen has now allowed just three runs over the last 18 1/3 innings of work.
Garrett Graziano, who relieved UALR starter Travis Henke in the seventh inning, was charged with four runs during his inning of work and took the loss falling to 3-7.
Goulas led the Cajuns with a season-high three hits as he finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Goulas scored from first base in the seventh inning to tie the game after he slid underneath the tag of Trojans catcher Nick Rountree.
Fontenot posted two hits to register his 16th multiple-hit game moving him into a tie with Petello for the team lead.
With the win the Cajuns assured themselves of a 20th consecutive Sun Belt series without being swept. UL goes for a SBC series victory for the second straight weekend on Saturday.
The Trojans opened the scoring in the second inning registering two runs on a bases loaded single by Cameron Bentley. The Cajuns picked a run up in the bottom half of the inning as Goulas singled home Lance Marvel.
Greg Garcia opened the UALR half of the third inning with a double to left field and scored on a one-out single by Rountree. That allowed the Trojans to regain a two-run advantage at 3-1.
UL appeared to have an answer in the bottom of the third after runners were on first and third following a Fontenot single to left center. Henke induced a double play ball off the bat of Petello to end the inning.
The Cajuns moved within one run, again, notching a run in the fifth inning when Goulas scored on a Henke wild pitch.
Hubbell fielded a squeeze bunt attempt by Casey McCollum to gun down Jake Rowell attempting to score from third base in the sixth inning and the Trojans' lead held at 3-2.
UL was able to erase the Trojans lead an inning later following a one-out walk issued by Graziano. Jordan Bourque snuck a single inside the first base bag that slowly rolled down the right field line allowing Goulas to score from first tying the score at 3-all. The Trojans' relay throw was in time, but Goulas was able to slide a hand underneath the tag of Rountree.
BASES NOTED: Greg Fontenot collected seven assists to crawl within seven of 500 career assists which could make him just the second player in school history to reach the half century mark (Mark Lalande the other)...Cajuns pitching held the opponent to single digit runs for the 73rd time in the past 75 games dating back to April 2010 and to five runs or less for the 29th time in 43 games in 2011...Louisiana turned a double play for the 11th time in the past 12 games and has now turned 27 in April...Joey Satriano's scoreless outing marked the 17th time in 39 appearances that the bullpen has tossed scoreless relief...UL extended its Sun Belt win streak to three games which is one shy of the season-long set after taking the Arkansas State finale and sweeping Florida Atlantic...The Cajuns are now 43-13 all-time vs. UALR (20-5 at "The Tigue")...The Cajuns posted four runs in the final four innings, upping the season total to 90 runs scored over the final four frames (outscored opponents 90-59)...Greg Fontenot picked up his 58th career multiple-hit game and registered his 200th career base hit.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
