Cajuns Fall to Jaguars in SBC Title Game, 3-1

Contact: Cory Weigel

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – A three-run homerun by South Alabama's Brittany Fowler in the fifth inning was enough to top the Cajuns in the Sun Belt Tournament Championship, 3-1 at the FAU Softball Stadium in Boca, Raton, Fla.

South Alabama (39-15) won their first SBC Tournament Championship and marked the first time the conference regular season champion did not win the tournament.

Ashley Brignac (21-3) pitched a complete game, giving up three unearned runs and fanned nine in the losing decision.

Hannah Campbell (23-10) went the distance for USA, while scattering just four hits and allowing one run.

Christi Orgeron blasted her 21^st homerun of the season in the top of the first for the Cajuns (49-4) lone run of the contest. Katie Smith recorded two hits and Nerissa Myers had a bunt single to round out the UL offense, who was held to just four hits in the game.

Jordan Wallace and Myers represented the Cajuns on the All-Tournament Team. Wallace was 2-0 in the tournament with a 1.17 ERA and 13 strikeouts. Myers hit .500, with two homeruns, 10 RBI, five runs scored and three stolen bases.

Orgeron gave the Cajuns an early lead in the title game, lifting a 2-2 offering from USA pitcher Hannah Campbell over the right center wall for a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first.

South Alabama threatened in the bottom of the second as Meghan Collins walked and Christin Crocker hit a double to right center, putting runners on second and third with one away. However, Brignac struck out Kaitlyn Griffith and induced Alex Breeden into a groundout to end the inning unscathed.

UL looked to add to their lead in the third as they loaded the bases with two outs for Brianna Cherry but the junior lined the first pitch she saw to first base for the third out.

Brignac allowed a single with one out in the third but struck out the side to keep the Jaguars scoreless through the first three frames.

The fifth-year senior, Brignac, struck out the side for consecutive innings, marking eight strikeouts through the four innings for the River Ridge, La. native.

Louisiana had an opportunity to extend their lead in the top of the fifth as they filled the bags on back-to-back bunt singles from Smith and Myers and a walk to Orgeron with no outs. Matte Haack struck out swinging for the first out, while Cherry flew out to left and Smith was called out for leaving third early on the tag up.

The Jaguars grabbed their first lead of the game on a two out three-run homerun by Fowler for a 3-1 advantage. Britany Campbell reached on a bunt single and Alyssa Linn was aboard on an error to set up the three-run shot from Fowler.

The Ragin' Cajuns were retired in order in the sixth and seventh innings as South Alabama secured their first conference tournament title.

Louisiana will continue post season action next weekend in regionals, with the location to be announced during the 2012 Women's Softball Selection Show on Sunday, May 13 at 9:00 p.m. on ESPNU.

2012 Sun Belt All-Tournament Team

Brittany Fowler (South Alabama)
Haley Hopkins (South Alabama)
Jordan Wallace (Louisiana)
Nerissa Myers (Louisiana)
Preslie Cruce (Western Kentucky)
Ashley Kirk (North Texas)
Janel Salanoa (ULM)
Shleby Graves (FIU)
Kacie McAllister (Troy)

Most Outstanding Player: Hannah Campbell (South Alabama)

--Ragin' Cajuns--

Cajuns Fall to Jaguars in SBC Title Game, 3-1

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