University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
La.-Monroe
Speedy Cajuns Complete Sweep
5/8/2011 6:30:00 PM | Softball
The 24th ranked Ragin' Cajuns completed their three-game sweep of La.-Monroe on Sunday with a 5-0 win on the road to finish the regular season on a seven-game winning streak.
The Cajuns (45-9, 19-5) have now won 45 games for the 13th consecutive season as they head into next week's Sun Belt Tournament as the No.1 seed in the tournament.
The sweep also means the Cajuns have now swept every current member of the Sun Belt at least once as the Warhawks (27-26, 10-14) were the only remaining team that Cajuns have not swept.
The Cajuns used their speed on Sunday to finish off the Warhawks as seven of their 11 hits came from slappers and the Cajuns stole three bases. Natalie Fernandez and Katie Smith led those slappers with three hits each and a combined three RBI.
Ashley Brignac (27-5) went the distance for the Cajuns, giving up just two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.
Both teams would have opportunities to score in the first four innings, but neither could scratch across a run. The Cajuns left the bases loaded in three of the first four innings while the Warhawks got their first of the weekend off of Brignac in the fourth inning.
Janel Salanoa got that hit with Jessica Olguin standing on second base. The Warhawks sent Olguin home, but Brianna Cherry's throw was handled nicely by Sarah Draheim who withstood the collision at the plate and kept La.-Monroe off of the scoreboard.
The Cajuns would load the bases yet again in the fifth inning, however this time they would plate four to take a 4-0 lead. A Paige Cormier walk, followed by singles from Cherry and Megan Granger loaded the bases. Fernandez would get the first RBI of the inning with a high chopper that was ruled a fielder's choice.
Smith would then single up the middle to plate the second run and Nerissa Myers and Gabriele Bridges would draw RBI walks to give the Cajuns the 4-0 lead.
UL would plate another run in the sixth inning thanks to Fernandez's second RBI of the game. Granger drew a one-out walk and was lifted for Erikka Murphy who went on the steal second base. Fernandez then delivered an RBI single up the middle to plate Murphy and give the Cajuns a 5-0 lead.
Those five runs would chase Tiffany Mills (13-16) after six innings with ten hits, seven walks and five earned runs.
The Cajuns finish their regular season as the Sun Belt Champions for the 10th time in 11 years as they enter next week's Sun Belt Tournament. The Cajuns will host the postseason tournament at Lamson Park as they look to capture their 11th Sun Belt Tournament Championship.
For information regarding the Sun Belt Tournament including all ticket information, visit the link above.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
