Cajuns Split Doubleheader at FIU

Contact: Cory Weigel

Box Score Game One
Box Score Game Two

MIAMI, Fla. – The No. 7/8 Ragin' Cajuns softball team split the doubleheader against FIU on Tuesday winning, 10-5 in the opening game and dropping the nightcap, 2-1 at the FIU Softball Complex in Miami, Fla.

Louisiana (34-2, 9-2) recovered from a 5-2 deficit in the first game by scoring five runs in the fourth inning to gain a lead they would not disappear. They were unable to overcome leaving eight runners on base in the second game as the Panthers (20-17, 8-4) manufactured a run in the bottom of the fifth and hung on for the win.

Jordan Wallace (19-0) remained perfect on the year throwing a complete game, striking out eight in the process. Despite equaling her season-high of eight hits and allowing five runs, the Weatherford, Texas native notched another win to her record start for a freshman pitcher to begin her career.

Ashley Brignac (12-2) came up on the short hand of a pitcher's duel in the second game as she also hurled a complete game, giving up just four hits and striking out six.

Nerissa Myers was 3-for-5 on the day, which included her eighth homerun of the year, scored four runs and had five RBI. Christi Orgeron blasted her team-leading 13^th homerun of the season and drove in three runs, giving her 65 RBI on the year. Brianna Cherry connected for her fourth homerun of the year and Katie Smith recorded hits in both contests to up her season-long hitting streak to 17 games.

“Another typical Sun Belt brawl,” co-head coach Michael Lotief said. “Our kids showed some fight in game one by fighting back and in game two we had some chances but the ball didn't bounce our way and that's how this game goes. Inches sometimes matter.”

“We expect more brawls and we need to keep plugging away and finding ways to just keep working hard and learning and getting better.”

GAME ONE

The Cajuns got off to a quick start in the top of the first, putting a two spot on the scoreboard against FIU pitcher Mariah Dawson. Katie Smith led off the inning with a walk and Myers lifted a 1-1 offering from Dawson over the centerfield wall for a Louisiana 2-0 lead.

Wallace was touched up for a run in the bottom half as the second hitter Kayla Burri launched her third homerun of the season to center to cut the Cajuns' lead to 2-1. The blast snapped UL's scoreless innings streak at 25.

Paige Cormier lined a single up the middle to begin the second and Erikka Murphy was hit by a pitch two batters later, putting runners on first and second with one away. Natalie Fernandez moved Cormier and Murphy up a base on a groundout and Smith reached on a single to the catcher to load the bases for Myers with two outs. The junior from Petal, Miss. just missed a pitch, flying out to centerfield for the third out.

Wallace sent down the Panthers in order in the bottom of the second frame, including a strikeout to Abigail Tewey to end the inning and giving her five straight FIU batters retired since the Burri homerun.

Dawson retired Louisiana in order in the top of the third as the home team came to bat trailing 2-1. Rachel Slowik drilled a double down the left field line with one out and moved to third on a passed ball as FIU had runners on the corners with just one away.

Wallace recorded the second out on a strikeout but the Panthers recorded their second run of the game on a throwing error by Sarah Draheim attempting to throw out the stealing Erika Acuri. Ashley McClain gave FIU the lead on a single to left center, before the next batter Brie Rojas blasted a two-run shot to left field for a 5-2 advantage.

UL responded in the top of the fourth as Cormier walked, Draheim doubled and Fernandez also drew a walk to load the bases with one away. Smith grounded into a fielder's choice to shortstop as Cormier was thrown out at home for the second out, bringing Myers to the plate for another clutch opportunity for the shortstop. She came through once again, clearing the bases on a double to right center, tying the score at five. The scoring didn't end there as Orgeron blasted a two-run homerun to left center, regaining the lead for Louisiana, 7-5.

Wallace recovered from her four-run third inning by retiring the Panthers in order in the bottom of the fourth.

Brianna Cherry gave the Cajuns a three-run advantage, blasting a solo shot to begin the top of the fifth for an 8-5 lead.

UL added another run in the sixth, with Myers reaching base on a walk and moving all the way over to third before scoring on a wild pitch, increasing the lead to 9-5.

Draheim reached first on a fielder's choice and Murphy beat out an infield single to bring Fernandez to the dish for an RBI opportunity. The sophomore slapped a single up the middle, plating Draheim for UL's 10^th run of the game.

GAME TWO

Smith walked and stole second to begin the second game and was moved over to third on a bunt single by Myers. Orgeron came to the plate with no outs and runners on the corners but lined out to second and Myers was doubled off first for the second out. Matte Haack walked and Cherry popped out two batters later to end the top of the first with no damage.

After Brignac shut the Panthers down in the bottom half, the Cajuns came to the plate in the top of the second. Cormier drew a walk and Draheim singled to center to leadoff the frame but UL spoiled another scoring chance as Murphy, Fernandez and Smith all struck out, keeping the contest scoreless.

The Ragin' Cajuns produced the first run of the game in the top of the third as Myers reached on a walk and stole second, with Orgeron stepping in. The senior knocked in another RBI lining a pitch to center field, scoring Myers for a 1-0 lead.

FIU answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the third. Burris came to the plate with Slowik aboard on second and laced a single to left field, plating the first baseman and knotting the score at one.

With one out in the fourth, Murphy walked, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher with Fernandez in the box. Fernandez groundout out to third and Murphy was thrown out attempting to score for the third out as the score remained 1-1.

FIU captured their first lead of the second game in the bottom of the fifth as they loaded the bases with one out and McClain stepping in the box. The Preseason All-SBC selection recorded an RBI groundout to Cormier to give the home team a 2-1 advantage.

UL threatened in the top of the seventh as Smith singled up the middle with one out. Myers flew out to left for the second out and Orgeron came up to bat as the Cajuns' final hope. Smith moved into scoring position on a wild pitch but Orgeron popped out to second to end the contest.

Louisiana and FIU will play a rubber match of the three game series on Wednesday, April 11, at 5:00 p.m. at the FIU Softball Complex.

--Ragin' Cajuns--

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