Brignac's Three-Hitter Guides UL to Series Win at FIU

Contact: Cory Weigel

Box Score

MIAMI, Fla. – Ashley Brignac's three-hit shutout helped the Cajuns to a, 6-0, victory over FIU in the rubber match of the three game series Wednesday evening at the FIU Softball Complex.

The win gave UL (35-2, 10-2) a three game lead in the conference standings and the tiebreaker over the Panthers (20-18, 8-5).

Brignac (13-2) pitched her second complete game in as many days, giving her 13 on the season and was credited with her fourth shutout. The senior struck out four hitters and tied co-head coach Stefni Lotief for third all-time on the career wins list with 84.

Brianna Cherry drove in two runs, while Matte Haack and Sarah Draheim each recorded an RBI in the contest as well.

“The girls battled tonight to get a big win on the road,” Lotief said. “Ashley did a good job defensively and allowed the defense to play behind her.”

“Tonight was a total team offensive effort with eight different hitters getting base hits. Good adjustments were made and the team trusted their adjustments. We are proud that they came out to compete tonight.”

Natalie Fernandez and Nerissa Myers reached on walks to begin the game but FIU pitcher Mariah Dawson retired the next three Cajuns' hitters and Brignac sent the Panthers down in order in the bottom of the first to keep the game scoreless through one.

FIU threatened in the bottom of the second, putting runners on first and second with just one out against Brignac. The senior recorded her second strikeout of the game to Megan Home and induced Kelsey Grabiak into a groundout to end the frame.

Louisiana used a two-out rally to score two runs in the top of the third. Myers drew a walk and Christi Orgeron singled as Haack stepped in the batter's box with two aboard. The junior delivered with a single through the left side, plating Myers for the first run of the game. Cherry followed Haack's single with another base hit to left field, scoring Orgeron for a 2-0 lead.

Brignac found herself in another jam in the bottom of the third as the Panthers recorded two singles with just one out in the frame. However, the River Ridge, La. native induced back-to-back groundouts to escape the inning unscathed.

UL was retired in order on the top of the fifth as FIU came to bat still trailing 2-0. The home team put the leadoff hitter on in the bottom half as Rachel Slowik reached first on a five pitch walk. Slowik stole second and advanced to third on a fielder's choice groundout from Krika Arcuri for the first out. Briganc recorded the next two outs on her own by way of a pop out and groundout to end the fifth.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, Megan Granger and Erikka Murphy singled to bring Fernandez to the plate seeking to add on to the UL lead, but the sophomore was robbed of a hit on a nice play by the shortstop Kayla Burri for the third out.

Brie Rojas singled to begin the bottom of the sixth for FIU as the Panthers had the leadoff hitter aboard for the fifth consecutive inning. The next batter Jessy Alfonso drew a walk, putting Rojas in scoring postition but Briganc bared down once again retiring the next three FIU hitters to keep her shutout alive.

Louisiana gave Briganc some breathing room in the top of the seventh, scoring four unearned runs on just one hit and three FIU errors. Cherry and Draheim were credited with an RBI in the inning as the Cajuns' increased their lead to 6-0.

Brignac retired the Panthers in order in the bottom half to secure the win for UL.

Louisiana will take a couple days off before returning to the field on Saturday for a doubleheader against Middle Tennessee beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Blue Raider Field. The teams will play the finale of the three game series on Sunday at noon.

--Ragin' Cajuns--

Brignac's Three-Hitter Guides UL to Series Win at FIU

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