University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
South Alabama
Elkins and Hamilton Lead Cajuns Past No. 15 South Alabama
4/13/2014 5:01:00 PM | Softball
LAFAYETTE, La. - Lexie Elkins hit a tiebreaking, two-run home run in the third inning to help the No. 18 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball team to a 5-1 victory over No. 15 South Alabama, as well as a series victory over the Sun Belt Conference foe, on Sunday at Lamson Park.
Elkins' home run came just one pitch after Haley Hayden hit a triple to center field driving in Natalie Fernandez to tie the game, 1-1 for the Cajuns who improved to 30-7-1 overall and 11-1 in Sun Belt action.
Junior pitcher Christina Hamilton tossed a complete game for the Cajuns, allowing South Alabama to scatter seven hits throughout the day with just her lone blemish coming on a one-out solo-home run by the Jaguars Alex Breeden to open the scoring in the second inning.
Hamilton allowed just one free pass on the day and struck out two batters, while the Cajuns' defense was perfect behind her, to help Hamilton to three 1-2-3 innings.
The junior pitcher is now 14-1 on the season with a 1.45 ERA.
The Cajuns added two insurance runs in the fourth inning after back-to-back run-producing singles by Kelsey Vincent and Sara Corbello. Vincent's single allowed Shelbi Redfearn to score from first base after the USA left fielder misplayed the ball, and Corbello drove in pinch-runner Leandra Maly two pitches later to make it 5-1.
For Elkins, her third inning home run was her 12th of the season and second of the weekend, as she drove in two runs in a 2-for-3 effort at the plate, for season RBI numbers 46 and 47, the most in the Sun Belt.
The Cajuns will remain at home as they venture away from Sun Belt play for a nonconference, contest against in-state foe, McNeese State on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for March 16, but was rescheduled due to inclement weather and poor field conditions.
Louisiana will then head out on the road to take on Troy in their return to conference action, with a Friday-Saturday series. Friday will feature a 4 p.m. doubleheader with the series wrapping up on Saturday at noon.
