University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Evens Series with Southern Miss Behind Otto’s Big Day
3/14/2026 5:23:00 PM | Softball
Five-RBI performance fuels early offensive burst as Ragin’ Cajuns respond to Friday setback
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Brooke Otto led the offensive charge with a career-high, five-RBI performance as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball team evened its Sun Belt Conference opening series with a 9-1 victory over Southern Miss on Saturday, March 14 at the USM Softball Complex in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Louisiana (17-11, 1-1 SBC) answered quickly and often in response to Friday's series-opening setback, plating runs in each of the first three innings – generating its entire runs total during the span.
The Ragin' Cajuns offensive production marked the most runs USM has allowed at home this season. The team's first five inning run-rule win since February 15 sets up a rubber match with the Golden Eagles (19-11, 1-1 SBC) on Sunday at noon.
Otto (2-for-3, two doubles, 5 RBI) paced an eight-hit Louisiana attack by going 2-for-3 with two doubles and five RBI, delivering the biggest swing during a decisive five-run third inning that helped the Ragin' Cajuns pull away early.
Louisiana struck first in the opening frame, plating three runs to immediately seize the momentum. Kennedy Marceaux (2-for-2, 3 runs, RBI) singled to start the opening rally and later scored on Otto's RBI double. Cecilia Vasquez (1-for-3, RBI) followed with an RBI single, and Mia Liscano (1-for-2, RBI) added another run-scoring hit to push the Cajuns ahead 3-0.
The Ragin' Cajuns added another run in the second when Otto drove in Marceaux with a groundout to extend the lead to 4-0.
Louisiana then broke the game open in the third inning. After Gabbie Stutes singled and Lily Knox walked, Dayzja Williams delivered a base hit to load the bases. Marceaux and Haley Hart each drew RBI walks before Otto cleared the bases with a two-out double to left field, stretching the advantage to 9-0.
Marceaux finished 2-for-2 with three runs scored and an RBI, while Liscano, Vasquez, Stutes and Williams each contributed a hit in the balanced offensive effort.
In the circle, Bethaney Noble (6-2) earned the win after yielding only one unearned run over four innings. Noble (4.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K) scattered five hits, walked two and struck out two before handing the ball to Julianne Tipton, who worked a scoreless fifth inning to close out the run-rule victory.
Southern Miss scored its lone run in the third inning, taking advantage of an extended frame. The Golden Eagles threatened to chip away even further in the fourth inning, but Noble induced a shallow pop up to Otto at third base to leave the bases loaded.
Louisiana delivered an emphatic response to its first-ever SBC loss to USM and kept alive the opportunity to register a fourth consecutive SBC series win dating back to last season's finish.
The Ragin' Cajuns moved to 6-5 on their 12-game road trip, which began on February 27 at the Texas A&M Invitational. UL has a chance to secure a winning mark on the road trip on Sunday before returning to Lamson Park for the SBC home opener vs. Texas State from March 20-22.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana wraps up play on Sun Belt Opening Weekend with the series finale against Southern Miss on Sunday, March 15 at the USM Softball Complex in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
The rubber match to determine the series winner is scheduled for noon.
Sunday'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.
Louisiana also completes its season-long, 12-game road trip with Sunday's contest. The Ragin' Cajuns return to Lamson Park from Friday-Sunday, March 20-22 for the SBC home opener against 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).
Louisiana (17-11, 1-1 SBC) answered quickly and often in response to Friday's series-opening setback, plating runs in each of the first three innings – generating its entire runs total during the span.
The Ragin' Cajuns offensive production marked the most runs USM has allowed at home this season. The team's first five inning run-rule win since February 15 sets up a rubber match with the Golden Eagles (19-11, 1-1 SBC) on Sunday at noon.
Otto (2-for-3, two doubles, 5 RBI) paced an eight-hit Louisiana attack by going 2-for-3 with two doubles and five RBI, delivering the biggest swing during a decisive five-run third inning that helped the Ragin' Cajuns pull away early.
Louisiana struck first in the opening frame, plating three runs to immediately seize the momentum. Kennedy Marceaux (2-for-2, 3 runs, RBI) singled to start the opening rally and later scored on Otto's RBI double. Cecilia Vasquez (1-for-3, RBI) followed with an RBI single, and Mia Liscano (1-for-2, RBI) added another run-scoring hit to push the Cajuns ahead 3-0.
The Ragin' Cajuns added another run in the second when Otto drove in Marceaux with a groundout to extend the lead to 4-0.
Louisiana then broke the game open in the third inning. After Gabbie Stutes singled and Lily Knox walked, Dayzja Williams delivered a base hit to load the bases. Marceaux and Haley Hart each drew RBI walks before Otto cleared the bases with a two-out double to left field, stretching the advantage to 9-0.
Marceaux finished 2-for-2 with three runs scored and an RBI, while Liscano, Vasquez, Stutes and Williams each contributed a hit in the balanced offensive effort.
In the circle, Bethaney Noble (6-2) earned the win after yielding only one unearned run over four innings. Noble (4.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K) scattered five hits, walked two and struck out two before handing the ball to Julianne Tipton, who worked a scoreless fifth inning to close out the run-rule victory.
Southern Miss scored its lone run in the third inning, taking advantage of an extended frame. The Golden Eagles threatened to chip away even further in the fourth inning, but Noble induced a shallow pop up to Otto at third base to leave the bases loaded.
Louisiana delivered an emphatic response to its first-ever SBC loss to USM and kept alive the opportunity to register a fourth consecutive SBC series win dating back to last season's finish.
The Ragin' Cajuns moved to 6-5 on their 12-game road trip, which began on February 27 at the Texas A&M Invitational. UL has a chance to secure a winning mark on the road trip on Sunday before returning to Lamson Park for the SBC home opener vs. Texas State from March 20-22.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana wraps up play on Sun Belt Opening Weekend with the series finale against Southern Miss on Sunday, March 15 at the USM Softball Complex in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
The rubber match to determine the series winner is scheduled for noon.
Sunday'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.
Louisiana also completes its season-long, 12-game road trip with Sunday's contest. The Ragin' Cajuns return to Lamson Park from Friday-Sunday, March 20-22 for the SBC home opener against 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 -
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
OF
/ 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
