Cajuns Have Impressive Showing, Sweep Doubleheader at MTSU

Contact: Cory Weigel

Box Score: Game One
Box Score: Game Two

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns softball team swept the twin bill on Saturday against Middle Tennessee winning both contests by way of the mercy rule at Blue Raider Field in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

The No. 7/8 Cajuns (37-2, 12-2) improved their overall record against the Blue Raiders (12-24, 2-9) to 43-3, with an, 8-0 victory in the opener and a, 9-1 win in the nightcap.

Ashley Brignac (14-2) was lights out in game one, hurling her sixth one-hitter of the season in a five inning complete game shutout, in which the senior struck out five.

Jordan Wallace (20-0) continued her perfect season tossing her 14^th complete game, allowing just three hits and fanning seven.

“I'm proud of our kids for staying locked in and focused on a long road trip,” co-head coach Michael Lotief said. “I thought both Ashley and Jordan set the tone in the circle and our bats are slowly coming around again.”

Christi Orgeron blasted her fourth grand slam of the year in game one, going 3-for-3 on the day, with eight RBI, three walks and two runs scored. The grand slam gave UL their ninth of the season.

Katie Smith extended her season-best hitting streak to 18 games after a 2-for-3 performance in the opener but saw her streak snapped in the second game, finishing 0-for-2 with two runs scored. Matte Haack and Nerissa Myers each drove in a pair to highlight the UL offense.

“Obviously Christi had some big RBI's and a homerun and Matte's stroke looked good too,” said Lotief. “The slappers, Katie and Natalie (Fernandez) continued to apply pressure on the defense and set the table too.”

“All of our kids are still working hard and contributing whether it be with their defense, or enthusiasm, or moving a runner over, or whatever it takes. Our goal is to keep working and get better day by day. Tomorrow always presents another challenge and another opportunity.”

GAME ONE

UL filled the bases without recording a hit in the top of the first as Natalie Fernandez walked, Nerissa Myers was plunked by a pitch and Christi Orgeron drew a free pass with just one out. Matte Haack stepped in and was robbed of a hit as second baseman Nina Dever made a diving catch and doubled off Orgeron at first to end the half inning.

Brignac sat the Blue Raiders down in order in the bottom half, striking out the first two hitters and inducing a line out to Myers keeping the contest scoreless after one frame.

Both teams were retired in order in the second, where Brignac fired just eight pitches and fanned one as she sent down the first six Middle Tennessee hitters.

Fernandez picked up the first hit of the game on an infield single with one out in the third. Smith followed the sophomore with a bunt single and Myers drew a walk to load the bases for Orgeron. The New Orleans, La. native lifted an 0-1 offering from Shelby Stinnett over the right field wall for a grand slam and a UL, 4-0 lead. Louisiana added their fifth run of the game on a successful double steal by Haack and Sarah Draheim for the 5-0 advantage.

Brignac continued to dominate as she sent the Blue Raiders down in order in the third, resulting in the first nine MTSU hitters retired by the senior.

Fernandez and Smith reached on infield singles in the fourth before being knocked in on a Myers double for a, 7-0 Louisiana lead. Orgeron came to bat and smoked another double down the left field line, plating Myers for the eighth Cajuns run.

Middle Tennessee's leadoff hitter Nana Davenport recorded the first hit off Brignac in the bottom of the fourth but the senior ace retired the next three batters to end the frame.

Brignac shut down the Blue Raiders in the bottom of the fifth to end the game due to the mercy rule and completed her one-hitter.

GAME TWO

The Cajuns posted four runs in the top of the first to begin the nightcap on two hits and three errors by the Middle Tennessee defense. Fernandez and Smith both reached on an error to begin the game and Myers drove in Fernandez for the first run of the game. Myers and Smith completed a double steal for a 2-0 lead before Orgeron launched her second homerun of the day to left center for the 4-0 UL advantage.

MTSU got on the board in the bottom half as Natalie Ysais hit a two-out solo shot to left field to cut the score to 4-1.

Wallace recorded the first six outs for the Cajuns by way of the strikeout as the freshman fanned the side for the second consecutive inning in the bottom half of frame number two.

The Ragin' Cajuns scored five more unearned runs in the fourth to up their lead to 9-1. The inning included three hits and three errors by Middle Tennessee and a bases loaded intentional walk to Orgeron, giving her eight RBI on the afternoon. Haack drove in the eighth and ninth runs of the contest for Louisiana by nearly hitting a grand slam with a shot off the top of the wall.

The Blue Raiders recorded two more hits off Wallace in their next two plate appearances but were unable to scratch a run across as the game ended just like the opener due to the mercy rule.

UL and MTSU will meet again on Sunday for the finale of the three game series. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. as the Cajuns aim for the sweep at Blue Raider Field in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

--Ragin' Cajuns--

Cajuns Have Impressive Showing, Sweep Doubleheader at MTSU

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