University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, February 21
Baton Rouge, La.
11:00 a.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
9-4
6
vs
3
Howard
6-5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Louisiana
0
0
0
0
1
4
1
6
7
1
Howard
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
6
0
Ragin’ Cajuns Show Grit in Saturday Split at Tiger Park
2/21/2026 10:07:00 PM | Softball
Comeback win over Howard highlights day before extra-inning heartbreaker vs. LSU
BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball team split a pair of games in the Purple and Gold Challenge at Tiger Park in Baton Rouge on Saturday, February 21, rallying past Howard, 6-3, before dropping a tightly contested 2-1 decision in 10 innings to No. 17 LSU.
After surrendering three runs in the first inning, the Ragin' Cajuns (9-5) responded with steady pitching and a decisive four-run sixth to claim the comeback win over Howard (6-5).
Lexie Delbrey (5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 5 K) regrouped after the first inning and kept the Bison off the board over her final four innings in the circle.
The Ragin' Cajuns broke through in the fifth when Gabbie Stutes (2-for-2) tripled to center and scored on Erin Ardoin's RBI groundout to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Louisiana then took control in the sixth. Cecilia Vasquez (1-for-4, 2 RBI) delivered a two-run single up the middle to tie the game. Miki Watts (1-for-1, RBI) followed with an RBI single, and Vasquez later scored in the inning to cap the four-run outburst and give the Cajuns a 5-3 lead.
UL tacked on an insurance run in the seventh when Brooke Otto scored on Emily Smith's infield single. Bethaney Noble secured the final six outs for her first save of the season, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings in relief.
In the nightcap, Louisiana matched LSU inning for inning before the Tigers (10-4) delivered a walk-off RBI triple in the 10th.
LSU scratched across a run in the second inning, taking advantage of a walk and a throwing error before an RBI single made it 1-0. The Cajuns answered in the third. After Mia Liscano reached on an error and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, Kennedy Marceaux singled up the middle to bring her home and even the score at 1-1.
From there, both teams traded zeroes behind strong pitching performances.
The Ragin' Cajuns threatened multiple times, including in the seventh and ninth innings. In the ninth, Haley Hart tripled to center with one out, but LSU reliever Jayden Heavener entered and worked out of the jam to keep the game tied.
In the 10th, LSU's Kylee Edwards tripled to right-center with two outs to plate the winning run.
It was a bittersweet ending for Sage Hoover who turned in a complete-game effort, working 9-2/3 innings and allowing two runs on 10 hits while striking out six. Hoover (2-2) stranded 13 LSU runners and forced the Tigers to earn the deciding run.
Hart and Vasquez each collected two hits to pace Louisiana's five-hit effort.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Tournament play switches to Lake Charles on Sunday, February 22 with Louisiana scheduled to play Missouri and Houston in back-to-back games starting at 11:00 a.m. at Joe Miller Field.
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 two contests in McNeese's Cajun AC Louisiana Clash completes a seven-game week on the road for Louisiana. The Ragin' Cajuns make a brief stop at Lamson Park on Tuesday, February 24 to meet Northern Iowa, then it's a return to the road until the SBC home opener on March 20 vs. Texas State.
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).
After surrendering three runs in the first inning, the Ragin' Cajuns (9-5) responded with steady pitching and a decisive four-run sixth to claim the comeback win over Howard (6-5).
Lexie Delbrey (5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 5 K) regrouped after the first inning and kept the Bison off the board over her final four innings in the circle.
The Ragin' Cajuns broke through in the fifth when Gabbie Stutes (2-for-2) tripled to center and scored on Erin Ardoin's RBI groundout to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Louisiana then took control in the sixth. Cecilia Vasquez (1-for-4, 2 RBI) delivered a two-run single up the middle to tie the game. Miki Watts (1-for-1, RBI) followed with an RBI single, and Vasquez later scored in the inning to cap the four-run outburst and give the Cajuns a 5-3 lead.
UL tacked on an insurance run in the seventh when Brooke Otto scored on Emily Smith's infield single. Bethaney Noble secured the final six outs for her first save of the season, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings in relief.
In the nightcap, Louisiana matched LSU inning for inning before the Tigers (10-4) delivered a walk-off RBI triple in the 10th.
LSU scratched across a run in the second inning, taking advantage of a walk and a throwing error before an RBI single made it 1-0. The Cajuns answered in the third. After Mia Liscano reached on an error and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, Kennedy Marceaux singled up the middle to bring her home and even the score at 1-1.
From there, both teams traded zeroes behind strong pitching performances.
The Ragin' Cajuns threatened multiple times, including in the seventh and ninth innings. In the ninth, Haley Hart tripled to center with one out, but LSU reliever Jayden Heavener entered and worked out of the jam to keep the game tied.
In the 10th, LSU's Kylee Edwards tripled to right-center with two outs to plate the winning run.
It was a bittersweet ending for Sage Hoover who turned in a complete-game effort, working 9-2/3 innings and allowing two runs on 10 hits while striking out six. Hoover (2-2) stranded 13 LSU runners and forced the Tigers to earn the deciding run.
Hart and Vasquez each collected two hits to pace Louisiana's five-hit effort.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Tournament play switches to Lake Charles on Sunday, February 22 with Louisiana scheduled to play Missouri and Houston in back-to-back games starting at 11:00 a.m. at Joe Miller Field.
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 two contests in McNeese's Cajun AC Louisiana Clash completes a seven-game week on the road for Louisiana. The Ragin' Cajuns make a brief stop at Lamson Park on Tuesday, February 24 to meet Northern Iowa, then it's a return to the road until the SBC home opener on March 20 vs. Texas State.
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: Delbrey, Lexie (2-1)
L: CONAWAY,Aiko (1-5)
S: Noble, Bethaney (1)
Batting:
3B: Stutes, Gabbie 1
RBI: Smith, Emily 1 ; Vasquez, Cecilia 2 ; Watts, Miki 1 ; Ardoin, Erin 1
SH: Liscano, Mia 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Otto, Brooke 1 ; Liscano, Mia 1 ; Hart, Haley 1 ; Williams, Dayzja 1 ; Vasquez, Cecilia 1 ; Ferguson, McKayla 1
SB: Liscano, Mia 1
CS: Watts, Miki 1
HBP: Stutes, Gabbie 1
Batting:
RBI: AMES-ALEXANDER,T. 1 ; JORDAN,Maryn 1 ; TAYLOR,Makyia 1
SF: TAYLOR,Makyia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: HART,Merci 1 ; JONES,Lauryn 1 ; AMES-ALEXANDER,T. 1
SB: WHIPPER,Aniyah 1
Game Leaders
AB
2
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
1
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballIF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballIF
/ SoftballIF
/ SoftballIF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
C/IF
/ SoftballGabbie Stutes and Emily Smith Media Availability (Feb 2, 2026)
Monday, February 02
Sage Hoover and Lexie Delbrey Media Availability (Feb 2, 2026)
Monday, February 02
Alyson Habetz Media Availability (Feb 2, 2026)
Monday, February 02
Alyson Habetz Media Availability (Nov 24, 2025)
Monday, November 24
