University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
2-2
Rice
2-2
Strong Pitching, Timely Hits Lead Cajuns Past Rice, 3-0
2/17/2026 10:25:00 PM | Baseball
Pruitt, five relievers combine on five-hitter; will host Maryland on Friday
HOUSTON – Freshman Sawyer Pruitt pitched four shutout innings to earn his first collegiate victory and combined with five relievers on a five-hit shutout as Louisiana blanked Rice, 3-0, in the midweek opener for both teams on Tuesday at Reckling Park.
Griffin Hebert and Colt Brown each delivered RBI singles and Drew Markle added an insurance run in the ninth with a solo home run as Louisiana (2-2) blanked Rice (2-2) for the second straight meeting.
Pruitt (1-0), making his first career start, allowed two hits, walked one and struck out four in setting the tone early as Louisiana recorded its first midweek shutout since a 5-0 win over Jackson State on May 7, 2024.
Louisiana broke through in the second inning against Rice starter Jackson Blank (0-1). After Steven Spalitta drew a walk and Brown singled, Brown eventually stole second and came around to score on Hebert's RBI single to shallow right.
The Cajuns added another run in the third as Noah Lewis singled up the middle and later scored when Brown delivered a two-out RBI single to right.
Rice (2-2) threatened on several occasions, but Louisiana's bullpen answered each challenge.
Hayden Pearson worked 1.1 scoreless innings in relief of Pruitt, and Cowan Alfonso and Bryce Wilson combined to navigate the sixth. Tyler Papenbrock escaped a seventh-inning jam after the Owls put runners on the corners with two outs, preserving the shutout.
Louisiana added insurance in the ninth when Markle blasted a two-out, solo home run to left field, his first of the season.
Cody Brasch sealed the victory for the Ragin' Cajuns, striking out the side in the ninth to earn his first save of the year.
Brown paced the offense, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored while adding a stolen base. Lewis also recorded two hits and scored once. Hebert finished with a hit, an RBI and a stolen base as the Cajuns went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
Blank (0-1) took the loss after allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits over three innings.
Louisiana returns home beginning on Friday when it opens a three-game series against Big 10 opponent Maryland (3-1) at M.L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park. First pitch for Friday's opener is set for 6 p.m.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Pruitt, Sawyer (1-0)
L: Blank, Jackson (0-1)
Batting:
HR: Markle, Drew 1
RBI: Brown, Colt 1 ; Hebert, Griffin 1 ; Markle, Drew 1
SH: Rodriguez, Blaze 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lewis, Noah 1 ; Brown, Colt 1 ; Markle, Drew 1
SB: Brown, Colt 1 ; Hebert, Griffin 1
CS: Lewis, Noah 1
PO: Lewis, Noah 1
Base Running:
SB: Daigre, Zachary 1
