University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Sunday, March 15
Hattiesburg, Miss.
12:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
17-12, 1-2
1
at
9
Southern Miss
20-11, 2-1
1st innning1
2nd innning2
3rd innning3
4th innning4
5th innning5
RunsR
HitsH
ErrorsE
Louisiana
1
0
0
0
0
1
4
1
Southern Miss
0
3
2
0
4
9
10
0
Cajuns Strike First, Southern Miss Takes Series Finale
3/15/2026 3:30:00 PM | Softball
Golden Eagles respond after early Louisiana lead to capture SBC Opening Weekend series
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball team struck first on Sunday, March 15, but Southern Miss answered with a steady offensive push to claim a 9-1 win in five innings and take the Sun Belt Conference series finale at the USM Softball Complex in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
One day after claiming victory by the same score in run-rule fashion, the Ragin' Cajuns (17-12, 1-2 SBC) had the script flipped on them. The result was the Golden Eagles (20-11, 2-1 SBC) calming the rubber game between the two teams to capture the series victory on SBC Opening Weekend.
Louisiana grabbed early momentum when Haley Hart (1-for-2, HR, RBI) launched a solo home run to left-center in the first inning, putting the Ragin' Cajuns on the board before the Golden Eagles had a chance to swing. Bethaney Noble and the Louisiana defense started strong, posting an immediate zero on the board.
The Ragin' Cajuns had an opportunity to extend the early advantage after Lily Knox's one-out double in the second inning set up a runner in scoring position, but USM made a key defensive play to derail the rally.
Southern Miss capitalized on the momentum shift in the bottom of the second inning, using a pair of doubles to score three runs and move in front, claiming a 3-1 lead. Afterwards, starting pitcher Kayla Giardina kept the Ragin' Cajuns stationary, retiring the side in order in both the third and fourth inning.
The Golden Eagles added two more runs in the third, taking advantage of four free passes, and later broke the game open with four runs in the fifth inning to end the contest early.
Mia Liscano paced Louisiana's offense with a 2-for-2 performance at the plate. Hart's first-inning blast accounted for the lone run.
In the circle, Noble (6-3) took the loss after yielding three runs over 1.1 innings. Sage Hoover worked 2.2 innings in relief and struck out three, while Lexie Delbrey finished the game in the fifth.
Giardina earned her second win of the series for USM, limiting the Ragin' Cajuns to four hits and one run across five innings.
Sunday's result spoiled UL's bid for a fourth consecutive SBC series win dating back to last season's finish and the bid for a winning mark on its season-long, 12-game road trip (finished the stretch with a 6-6 mark).
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana makes its much-awaited return to Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park from Friday-Sunday, March 20-22 hosting rival Texas State in the Sun Belt home opening series.
The series opener is set for 6:00 p.m. on Friday (March 20). Play continues Saturday (March 21) at 2:00 p.m. and concludes on Sunday (March 22) with the series finale at 1:00 p.m.
The entire series will be televised on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald and Yvette Girouard calling the action. Radio coverage is available 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.
It'll be the final SBC series matchup between the Ragin' Cajuns and the Bobcats, two teams that have vied for the regular season crown annually since 2014. Texas State transitions to the PAC-12 following the 2026 season.
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).
One day after claiming victory by the same score in run-rule fashion, the Ragin' Cajuns (17-12, 1-2 SBC) had the script flipped on them. The result was the Golden Eagles (20-11, 2-1 SBC) calming the rubber game between the two teams to capture the series victory on SBC Opening Weekend.
Louisiana grabbed early momentum when Haley Hart (1-for-2, HR, RBI) launched a solo home run to left-center in the first inning, putting the Ragin' Cajuns on the board before the Golden Eagles had a chance to swing. Bethaney Noble and the Louisiana defense started strong, posting an immediate zero on the board.
The Ragin' Cajuns had an opportunity to extend the early advantage after Lily Knox's one-out double in the second inning set up a runner in scoring position, but USM made a key defensive play to derail the rally.
Southern Miss capitalized on the momentum shift in the bottom of the second inning, using a pair of doubles to score three runs and move in front, claiming a 3-1 lead. Afterwards, starting pitcher Kayla Giardina kept the Ragin' Cajuns stationary, retiring the side in order in both the third and fourth inning.
The Golden Eagles added two more runs in the third, taking advantage of four free passes, and later broke the game open with four runs in the fifth inning to end the contest early.
Mia Liscano paced Louisiana's offense with a 2-for-2 performance at the plate. Hart's first-inning blast accounted for the lone run.
In the circle, Noble (6-3) took the loss after yielding three runs over 1.1 innings. Sage Hoover worked 2.2 innings in relief and struck out three, while Lexie Delbrey finished the game in the fifth.
Giardina earned her second win of the series for USM, limiting the Ragin' Cajuns to four hits and one run across five innings.
Sunday's result spoiled UL's bid for a fourth consecutive SBC series win dating back to last season's finish and the bid for a winning mark on its season-long, 12-game road trip (finished the stretch with a 6-6 mark).
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana makes its much-awaited return to Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park from Friday-Sunday, March 20-22 hosting rival Texas State in the Sun Belt home opening series.
The series opener is set for 6:00 p.m. on Friday (March 20). Play continues Saturday (March 21) at 2:00 p.m. and concludes on Sunday (March 22) with the series finale at 1:00 p.m.
The entire series will be televised on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald and Yvette Girouard calling the action. Radio coverage is available 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.
It'll be the final SBC series matchup between the Ragin' Cajuns and the Bobcats, two teams that have vied for the regular season crown annually since 2014. Texas State transitions to the PAC-12 following the 2026 season.
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 (10-2)
L: Noble, Bethaney (6-3)
Batting:
2B: Knox, Lily 1
HR: Hart, Haley 1
RBI: Hart, Haley 1
SH: Watts, Miki 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hart, Haley 1
Batting:
2B: Madison Johnson 1 ; Julia Glasgow 1
RBI: Hannah Christian 2 ; Madison Johnson 1 ; Nealy McManus 2 ; Julia Glasgow 3
SH: Madison Johnson 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jolie Hays 1 ; Kinsley Gordon-Sivle 2 ; Kayce Bennett 1 ; Jadyn Rausch 1 ; Madison Johnson 1 ; Nealy McManus 2 ; Julia Glasgow 1
SB: Nealy McManus 1
HBP: Julia Glasgow 2
Game Leaders
AB
2
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
AB
2
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
P
/ SoftballIF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballIF
/ Softball
P
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