University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, March 13
Hattiesburg, Miss.
6:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
16-11, 0-1
1
at
6
Southern Miss
19-10, 1-0
1st innning1
2nd innning2
3rd innning3
4th innning4
5th innning5
6th innning6
7th innning7
RunsR
HitsH
ErrorsE
Louisiana
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
4
1
Southern Miss
2
3
0
1
0
0
X
6
9
0
Cajuns Unable to Climb Out of Early Deficit in SBC Opener
3/13/2026 9:38:00 PM | Softball
Southern Miss uses early scoring to claim 6-1 win Friday night
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball team was unable to overcome an early deficit in the Sun Belt Conference opener as Southern Miss scored five runs over the first two innings and went on to claim a 6-1 decision on Friday, March 13 at the USM Softball Complex in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Southern Miss (19-10, 1-0 SBC) capitalized on early opportunities – including would-be hits that landed just out of the reach of the Ragin' Cajuns defense – plating two runs in the first inning and adding three more in the second.
An error allowed the Golden Eagles to score a pair of unearned runs in the opening frame before a three-RBI triple from Carrie Green in the second inning extended the lead to 5-0.
All of USM's early scoring came with two outs, leaving Sage Hoover (1.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 BB) saddled with tough luck in her SBC debut.
Louisiana (16-11, 0-1 SBC) threatened in the fourth inning when Miki Watts (1-for-3) singled and Brooke Otto (2-for-3, double, run) followed with a base hit, but the Ragin' Cajuns were unable to push a run across.
Otto finished 2-for-3 and later sparked Louisiana's lone run in the seventh inning, doubling down the left field line before scoring on Haley Hart's RBI single up the middle.
Lexie Delbrey (4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 2 K) provided stability in relief for Louisiana, allowing one run over 4.1 innings with two strikeouts.
Southern Miss pitcher Kayla Giardina (7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K) earned the win after tossing a complete game and allowing one run on four hits. She retired the Cajuns in order each of the first three innings and five times total.
UL had its nine-game win streak over USM snapped, dropping a contest to the Golden Eagles in SBC play for the first time.
The Ragin' Cajuns played their 10th consecutive game away from Lamson Park. Louisiana now stands 5-5 on the 12-game road trip that concludes this weekend in Hattiesburg before returning to Lamson Park for the SBC home opener vs. Texas State from March 20-22.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana continues its Sun Belt Conference Opening Weekend series with Southern Miss on Saturday, March 14 with a 2:00 p.m. contest at the USM Softball Complex in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
The Ragin' Cajuns seek to even the series with the Golden Eagles and look to keep alive the chance for a fourth consecutive SBC series win dating back to last season.
Saturday's matchup will be televised on ESPN+ with Clay Sweet calling the action. Fans can listen to the radio broadcast on The GOAT 103.3 FM and 1420 AM in the Acadiana region and worldwide on Varsity Network with Cody Junot (pxp) and Bobby Neveaux (analyst) providing commentary.
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).
Southern Miss (19-10, 1-0 SBC) capitalized on early opportunities – including would-be hits that landed just out of the reach of the Ragin' Cajuns defense – plating two runs in the first inning and adding three more in the second.
An error allowed the Golden Eagles to score a pair of unearned runs in the opening frame before a three-RBI triple from Carrie Green in the second inning extended the lead to 5-0.
All of USM's early scoring came with two outs, leaving Sage Hoover (1.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 BB) saddled with tough luck in her SBC debut.
Louisiana (16-11, 0-1 SBC) threatened in the fourth inning when Miki Watts (1-for-3) singled and Brooke Otto (2-for-3, double, run) followed with a base hit, but the Ragin' Cajuns were unable to push a run across.
Otto finished 2-for-3 and later sparked Louisiana's lone run in the seventh inning, doubling down the left field line before scoring on Haley Hart's RBI single up the middle.
Lexie Delbrey (4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 2 K) provided stability in relief for Louisiana, allowing one run over 4.1 innings with two strikeouts.
Southern Miss pitcher Kayla Giardina (7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K) earned the win after tossing a complete game and allowing one run on four hits. She retired the Cajuns in order each of the first three innings and five times total.
UL had its nine-game win streak over USM snapped, dropping a contest to the Golden Eagles in SBC play for the first time.
The Ragin' Cajuns played their 10th consecutive game away from Lamson Park. Louisiana now stands 5-5 on the 12-game road trip that concludes this weekend in Hattiesburg before returning to Lamson Park for the SBC home opener vs. Texas State from March 20-22.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana continues its Sun Belt Conference Opening Weekend series with Southern Miss on Saturday, March 14 with a 2:00 p.m. contest at the USM Softball Complex in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
The Ragin' Cajuns seek to even the series with the Golden Eagles and look to keep alive the chance for a fourth consecutive SBC series win dating back to last season.
Saturday's matchup will be televised on ESPN+ with Clay Sweet calling the action. Fans can listen to the radio broadcast on The GOAT 103.3 FM and 1420 AM in the Acadiana region and worldwide on Varsity Network with Cody Junot (pxp) and Bobby Neveaux (analyst) providing commentary.
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: Kayla Giardina (9-2)
L: Hoover, Sage (4-5)
Batting:
2B: Otto, Brooke 1
RBI: Hart, Haley 1
SH: Vasquez, Cecilia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Otto, Brooke 1
Batting:
3B: Carrie Green 1
RBI: Carrie Green 3 ; Jolie Hays 1
SF: Jolie Hays 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hannah Christian 1 ; Abbi Troquille 2 ; Kayce Bennett 1 ; Madison Johnson 1 ; Julia Glasgow 1
HBP: Abbi Troquille 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
P
/ SoftballIF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballIF
/ SoftballC/IF
/ SoftballAlyson Habetz Media Availability (Mar 9, 2026)
Monday, March 09
Alyson Habetz Media Availability (Mar 2, 2026)
Monday, March 02
Gabbie 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
