University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, February 20
Baton Rouge, La.
1:30 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
7-4
4
vs
0
Howard
6-4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Howard
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
1
Louisiana
0
0
0
1
1
2
X
4
7
0
Ragin’ Cajuns Post Sweep at LSU Purple and Gold Challenge
2/20/2026 8:08:00 PM | Softball
Noble blanks Howard; Hart’s three-run homer keys win over Michigan State
BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball team swept play on Day 1 of the LSU Purple and Gold Challenge at Tiger Park in Baton Rouge as the offense backed up strong pitching performances.
Louisiana (8-4) broke a scoreless deadlock with runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings and rode a complete-game shutout from Bethaney Noble to a 4-0 victory over Howard (6-4) to start the day.
Noble (2-0) scattered six hits, struck out four and walked only one in a 99-pitch effort for her second shutout in as many starts on the young season. She's now opened her senior season with 12 consecutive scoreless innings pitched.
The Ragin' Cajuns took a 1-0 lead in the fourth after Dayzja Williams tripled to left-center to open the inning and later scored on Lily Knox's groundout. The Ragin' Cajuns added a run in the fifth on Brooke Otto's pinch-hit RBI single.
Louisiana capitalized on a Howard error in the sixth to plate two unearned runs, providing Noble with additional breathing room for the final frame.
Madyson Manning paced the offense with a 2-for-3 outing that included a triple and a run scored. Williams added two hits and a triple as well and also scored a run, while Cecilia Vasquez recorded a double and an RBI.
The perfect day was completed after UL struck early and used solid pitching to claim a 6-1 victory over Michigan State (6-4)
Haley Hart sparked Louisiana with a three-run homer in the first inning, giving the Ragin' Cajuns a quick 3-0 lead before an out was recorded. Another run was added in the top of the second before the Spartans got on the board in the bottom half on Zoie Bernard's RBI single.
That was all the Spartans would get against Julianne Tipton (3-0), who allowed one run on six hits over five innings. She struck out two and worked around three walks. Lexie Delbrey tossed two scoreless innings in relief, retiring all of the six batters she faced to close it out.
Louisiana put the game away in the sixth when Otto doubled and Emily Smith (1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI) followed with a two-run homer to extend the lead to 6-1.
Hart (2-for-3, HR, RBI) and Vasquez (2-for-3, two doubles) each recorded two hits to lead Louisiana's nine-hit effort. The Ragin' Cajuns were error-free defensively for the second straight game.
Friday's action resumed Louisiana's seven-game week away from Lamson Park. It was the first-ever meeting with Howard and first matchup with Michigan State since February 2000.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana returns to Tiger Park on Saturday, February 21 for a second meeting with Howard, scheduled for 11:00 a.m., before facing off with host-and No. 17-ranked LSU at 4:00 p.m., both games completing the team's participation in the Purple and Gold Challenge.
Fans can listen to both games in the Lafayette area on The GOAT 103.3 FM and 1420 AM and worldwide on the Varsity Network app with Cody Junot (pxp) and Bobby Neveaux (analyst) providing commentary. The LSU matchup will be televised on SECN+.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Facebook (/RaginCajunsSB), Twitter (@RaginCajunsSB) and Instagram (@Louisiana.SB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Softball.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Louisiana Softball season and single-game tickets are currently on sale, outfield general admission seating only, available for purchase online at RaginCajuns.com/tickets or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 482-GoUL (4685). Fans can support the softball student athletes, and invest in the program's future, through The Cajuns Edge Fund (click here) to contribute directly to the Louisiana Athletics and Ragin' Cajuns Athletic Foundation's revenue-sharing initiative or by joining the Centerfield Club (click here).
Louisiana (8-4) broke a scoreless deadlock with runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings and rode a complete-game shutout from Bethaney Noble to a 4-0 victory over Howard (6-4) to start the day.
Noble (2-0) scattered six hits, struck out four and walked only one in a 99-pitch effort for her second shutout in as many starts on the young season. She's now opened her senior season with 12 consecutive scoreless innings pitched.
The Ragin' Cajuns took a 1-0 lead in the fourth after Dayzja Williams tripled to left-center to open the inning and later scored on Lily Knox's groundout. The Ragin' Cajuns added a run in the fifth on Brooke Otto's pinch-hit RBI single.
Louisiana capitalized on a Howard error in the sixth to plate two unearned runs, providing Noble with additional breathing room for the final frame.
Madyson Manning paced the offense with a 2-for-3 outing that included a triple and a run scored. Williams added two hits and a triple as well and also scored a run, while Cecilia Vasquez recorded a double and an RBI.
The perfect day was completed after UL struck early and used solid pitching to claim a 6-1 victory over Michigan State (6-4)
Haley Hart sparked Louisiana with a three-run homer in the first inning, giving the Ragin' Cajuns a quick 3-0 lead before an out was recorded. Another run was added in the top of the second before the Spartans got on the board in the bottom half on Zoie Bernard's RBI single.
That was all the Spartans would get against Julianne Tipton (3-0), who allowed one run on six hits over five innings. She struck out two and worked around three walks. Lexie Delbrey tossed two scoreless innings in relief, retiring all of the six batters she faced to close it out.
Louisiana put the game away in the sixth when Otto doubled and Emily Smith (1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI) followed with a two-run homer to extend the lead to 6-1.
Hart (2-for-3, HR, RBI) and Vasquez (2-for-3, two doubles) each recorded two hits to lead Louisiana's nine-hit effort. The Ragin' Cajuns were error-free defensively for the second straight game.
Friday's action resumed Louisiana's seven-game week away from Lamson Park. It was the first-ever meeting with Howard and first matchup with Michigan State since February 2000.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana returns to Tiger Park on Saturday, February 21 for a second meeting with Howard, scheduled for 11:00 a.m., before facing off with host-and No. 17-ranked LSU at 4:00 p.m., both games completing the team's participation in the Purple and Gold Challenge.
Fans can listen to both games in the Lafayette area on The GOAT 103.3 FM and 1420 AM and worldwide on the Varsity Network app with Cody Junot (pxp) and Bobby Neveaux (analyst) providing commentary. The LSU matchup will be televised on SECN+.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Facebook (/RaginCajunsSB), Twitter (@RaginCajunsSB) and Instagram (@Louisiana.SB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Softball.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Louisiana Softball season and single-game tickets are currently on sale, outfield general admission seating only, available for purchase online at RaginCajuns.com/tickets or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 482-GoUL (4685). Fans can support the softball student athletes, and invest in the program's future, through The Cajuns Edge Fund (click here) to contribute directly to the Louisiana Athletics and Ragin' Cajuns Athletic Foundation's revenue-sharing initiative or by joining the Centerfield Club (click here).
- www.RaginCajuns.com -
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Noble, Bethaney (2-0)
L: CONAWAY,Aiko (3-3)
Batting:
2B: JORDAN,Maryn 1
Batting:
2B: Vasquez, Cecilia 1
3B: Williams, Dayzja 1 ; Manning, Madyson 1
RBI: Knox, Lily 1 ; Smith, Emily 1 ; Vasquez, Cecilia 1 ; Otto, Brooke 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Williams, Dayzja 1 ; Hart, Haley 1 ; Manning, Madyson 1 ; Vasquez, Cecilia 1
SB: Hart, Haley 2 ; Manning, Madyson 1 ; Ferguson, McKayla 1
CS: Williams, Dayzja 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
P
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballIF
/ SoftballOF
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