Hayden's Six RBI Helps Lead Cajuns to Split

Contact: Nick Ross

LAFAYETTE, La. – Freshman Haley Hayden hit two home runs and drove in six runs in two games, as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball team fell to #4 Michigan, 15-1, and defeated Memphis, 13-2 in the 2014 Ragin' Cajuns Invitational at Lamson Park.

The Cajuns dropped the opener to Michigan and rebounded to win their fifth game of the season, defeating Memphis in the nightcap. The Cajuns are now 5-3-1 on the season.

"It was just another day for us to come out and learn," head coach Michael Lotief said. "A lot of stuff happened today on the field and we continued to get better and figure out the adjustments we need to make to become a better softball team."

Memphis got off to a quick start in the Cajuns' second game, scoring one run in the first two innings to take a 2-0 lead after two.

The Cajuns responded well in the fourth inn, scoring five runs in the fourth, two in the fifth and six in the sixth, before bringing in the eight-run mercy rule in the bottom of the sixth.

The Cajuns' 13 runs came off of five home runs, including four in the sixth inning and two from freshman Haley Hayden.

Hayden went 2-for-4 with five RBI in the game, hitting her first home run in the fourth inning, a three run shot, and hitting her second in the sixth, a two-run shot.

She finished the day with six RBI off of two homers and a double and now has five home runs and 11 RBI on the season, leading the team in both categories.

"She is a kid who has an opportunity to be special." Lotief said of Hayden. "Every game she is learning and getting better by growing and developing. That kid is continuing to get better and grow into a very special player."

The Cajuns also got home runs from Lexie Elkins, Shelbi Redfearn, Sara Corbello and Linzey Cifreo.

Natalie Fernandez was the only other Cajun besides Hayden to get multiple hits in the game, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Hamilton made the right pitches when she had to, clutch strikeouts with runners in scoring position, including the final out of the game. She fanned a pinch hitter to end the second inning with the bases loaded, and struck out another batter with runners on second and third in the bottom of the fifth to end the inning.

She pitched a complete game, tossing 6.0 innings, allowing two unearned runs on three hits and two walks, while fanning seven batters.

The offensive story was a lot different in the first game.

Michigan got on top early, scoring two unearned runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead.

They added to that lead in the second, scoring one run on an RBI single, and then grabbing four runs off of a Sierra Romero grand slam, the teams third grand slam of the tournament.

After Michigan added seven more runs in the third inning, and a single run in the fifth, the Cajuns found the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth, but a comeback rally was not to be found.

Hayden gave the Cajuns what would be a precursor to the nightcap, doubling to deep center field and scoring pinch runner, Meagan Thomas.

"This team [Louisiana] is a very competitive team," Lotief said. "They understand what they can happen and can put it into perspective. Michigan is a good team and is a team that was in the World Series last year.

"We went at them with true freshmen," Lotief added. "Jordan [Wallace] was telling [M. Smith] and [Stewart] the same thing, that when you go at a team like this as true freshmen, it's not about the ability and outcome but the learning experience. It is going to treat these kids well down the road."

The Cajuns will return to the diamond tomorrow afternoon when they take on Central Arkansas at 2 p.m. at Lamson Park. They will then travel to Clearwater, Fla., to take part in the NFCA Leadoff Classic, and take on Illinois State, James Madison, Hofstra, South Florida and Rutgers.

Hayden's Six RBI Helps Lead Cajuns to Split

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Team Stats

Natalie Fernandez

Haley Hayden

Sarah Arceneaux

Lexie Elkins

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