UL Moves to 3-0 in Judi Garman With Doubleheader Sweep

Contact: Cory Weigel

Box Score: UL vs. Penn State
Box Score: UL vs. Fresno State

LAFAYETTE, La. -- Louisiana's softball team came away victorious in both games of their doubleheader, Friday against Penn State, 5-1 and Fresno State, 9-1 at Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, Calif.

Ashley Brignac (10-0) started game one of the doubleheader firing a complete game one hitter against Penn State (7-14). The senior allowed one unearned run, walked one batter, and fanned seven.

Jordan Wallace (13-0) had another masterful start throwing her eighth complete game of the year. She allowed one run on two hits and whiffed three Bulldogs (19-12).

Nerissa Myers was 2-for-5 on the day with five RBI and a grand slam to her credit. Christi Orgeron recorded two hits, scored three runs and drove in three. Natalie Fernandez led the team with four hits, while posting three runs and drove in two.

The No. 10 ranked Cajuns (26-0, 3-0) were banged up a bit in the second game as Myers was cleated on the hand, stealing second and Orgeron was nicked up sliding into third on a force out play in the fourth.

“That game reminds us what a tough sport this is and how precarious being at 100 percent is,” said co-head coach Michael Lotief. “Nerissa got cleated at second base and tore up her hand and Christi got body blocked sliding into third base. Our kids are tough and take great risks and play the game so hard. It is a testament to their fitness and mental make-up that they continue to battle and fight and compete. I'm more proud of that than any win or championship ever!”

GAME ONE

The game featured a pitching duel between Brignac and three-time All-Big Ten selection Lisa Akamine. The two hurlers didn't allow a hit through the first four innings, keeping the game in question for the majority of the contest.

With two outs in the top of the fifth, Natalie Fernandez spoiled Akamine's no-hit bid on an infield single to shortstop. Katie Smith extended the inning by also singling to short to bring Nerissa Myers to the dish with Fernandez in scoring position. Myers came through with another big hit for the Cajuns, ripping an RBI single up the middle, plating Fernandez for a 1-0 lead. Orgeron stepped in the box and laced a first pitch double to right center, bringing in Smith and Myers to open up a 3-0 Cajun's advantage.

The Nittany Lions answered with a run in the bottom half as Lauren Yao led off the frame with a double down the left field line, breaking up Brignac's perfect game. Akamine reached on a hit by pitch and the two runners would later advance on a passed ball, putting PSU in a great opportunity with no outs and base runners on second and third. Brignac played damage control, allowing just one unearned run in the inning on an RBI groundout by Morgan Long as the game moved to the sixth with UL leading, 3-1.

Louisiana added two insurance runs in the sixth as they loaded the bases with one out. Fernandez drew a five pitch walk, scoring Paige Cormier, giving the sophomore her sixth RBI of the season. The following batter, Smith, recorded an RBI groundout, increasing the Ragin' Cajun's lead to 5-1.

Brignac retired six of the final seven Penn State hitters, including two strikeouts, to end the game.

GAME TWO

The Cajuns came to bat after Wallace sent the Bulldogs down in order in the top of the first. Myers and Orgeron walked with one out in the bottom half but Louisiana came up empty as Haack struck out looking and Cormier grounded out to short ending the frame.

UL broke the game open in the bottom of the second as they loaded the bases on a walk and two singles to bring pinch hitter, Megan Granger, to the plate. Granger was hit on the third pitch of her at bat, which scored Cherry for a 1-0 advantage. Myers came to the box next for the Cajuns and blasted her second grand slam of the year to left field, extending the lead to 5-0.

Wallace got through the third inning with no harm, retiring the Fresno State hitters in order, totaling the first nine FSU batters sent down by the freshman.

Louisiana was denied a run in the bottom of the third as Draheim doubled with one out and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Cherry grounded out on a slow hit ball to pitcher, Kiley Shae Aldridge, in which Draheim broke home and was thrown out by the first baseman, Stesha Brazil, for the third out.

Wallace found herself in a bit of trouble in the top of the fourth as the Bulldogs put the first two runners on by a hit by pitch and an error. Fresno State cut the Cajun's lead to 5-1 on a bunt single, scoring Brazil, as the visitors had runners on first and second with still, nobody away. Wallace got Vonnie Martin to fly out and the fifth-hole hitter, Courtney Moore, came to the plate. Moore hit a fly ball to Cherry as the junior caught the ball and threw a dart to Drahiem in time to get the tagging base runner to end the inning without further damage.

The slappers all reached base in the bottom half as Murphy, Fernandez and Smith recorded infield hits to begin the inning. Murphy would cross home on a one out single from Orgeron to right field. Fernandez scored on a wild pitch and Smith was brought in on an RBI groundout by Cormier for an 8-1 Cajun's lead.

Louisiana finished off the Bulldogs by way of the run rule, in the fifth, as Fernandez singled up the middle with one out, plating Cherry for their ninth run of the contest.

UL is scheduled to conclude their play in the Judi Garman Classic, Saturday, against Iowa at 1:00 p.m. and No. 13 Arizona at 5:30 p.m.

Like the Ragin' Cajuns softball fan page on facebook to access more information and receive updated news on the team

--Ragin' Cajuns--

UL Moves to 3-0 in Judi Garman With Doubleheader Sweep

Next Event

Footer

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics