University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, March 20
Lafayette
6:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
18-12, 2-2
2
vs
1
Texas State
19-11, 2-2
1st innning1
2nd innning2
3rd innning3
4th innning4
5th innning5
6th innning6
7th innning7
RunsR
HitsH
ErrorsE
Texas State
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
4
0
Louisiana
0
0
0
1
1
0
X
2
7
0
Hoover’s Relief Gem, Otto’s RBI Double Lift Cajuns Past Texas State
3/20/2026 10:25:00 PM | Softball
Louisiana rallies with fifth-inning run while Hoover tosses 6.1 scoreless innings in relief
LAFAYETTE – Behind a dominant relief outing from Sage Hoover and a clutch go-ahead hit from Brooke Otto, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball team claimed a 2-1 victory over Texas State on Friday, March 20 in the Sun Belt Conference home opener at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park.
Louisiana (18-12, 2-2 SBC) rallied after surrendering a first-inning run and used timely hitting along with steady pitching to secure the win in front of a home crowd of 1,669.
Hoover (6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K)) delivered a standout performance in relief, entering with two outs in the first inning and inheriting the bases loaded.
The right-hander escaped the jam with a strikeout and went on to silence the Bobcats the rest of the way. She yielded just three hits across 6.1 scoreless innings while striking out five, to out-duel Texas State ace pitcher Maddy Azua (13-7).
Texas State (19-11, 2-2 SBC) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI walk by Kat Zarate before Hoover took control in the circle. From that point forward, the Bobcats managed only three hits and only once advanced a runner past second base.
The Ragin' Cajuns evened the score in the fourth inning when Lily Knox (1-for-3, HR, RBI) launched a solo home run to center field, her third of the season.
Louisiana broke through in the fifth inning to take the lead.
Dayzja Williams opened the frame with a single and moved into scoring position on consecutive bunts by Haley Hart and Kennedy Marceaux. Otto (1-for-3, double, RBI) then delivered the decisive blow off of Azua, driving a double into the left-center gap to score Williams and put the Cajuns ahead 2-1.
Hoover closed the door in the seventh inning, retiring the side in order to secure Louisiana's series-opening victory.
The Ragin' Cajuns finished with seven hits in the contest, including doubles from Hart and Otto and Knox's home run. UL moved to 17-1 when out-hitting the opponent and pulled even at 5-5 when the opposition scores first.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana continues its Sun Belt Conference home-opening series with Texas State on Saturday, March 21 in a 2:00 p.m. contest at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park.
The Ragin' Cajuns get the first of two opportunities to capture the series victory over their rival Bobcats.
Prior to the contest, senior pitcher Lexie Delbrey's Senior Day ceremony will take place.
Saturday's matchup will be televised on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald and Yvette Girouard 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).
Louisiana (18-12, 2-2 SBC) rallied after surrendering a first-inning run and used timely hitting along with steady pitching to secure the win in front of a home crowd of 1,669.
Hoover (6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K)) delivered a standout performance in relief, entering with two outs in the first inning and inheriting the bases loaded.
The right-hander escaped the jam with a strikeout and went on to silence the Bobcats the rest of the way. She yielded just three hits across 6.1 scoreless innings while striking out five, to out-duel Texas State ace pitcher Maddy Azua (13-7).
Texas State (19-11, 2-2 SBC) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI walk by Kat Zarate before Hoover took control in the circle. From that point forward, the Bobcats managed only three hits and only once advanced a runner past second base.
The Ragin' Cajuns evened the score in the fourth inning when Lily Knox (1-for-3, HR, RBI) launched a solo home run to center field, her third of the season.
Louisiana broke through in the fifth inning to take the lead.
Dayzja Williams opened the frame with a single and moved into scoring position on consecutive bunts by Haley Hart and Kennedy Marceaux. Otto (1-for-3, double, RBI) then delivered the decisive blow off of Azua, driving a double into the left-center gap to score Williams and put the Cajuns ahead 2-1.
Hoover closed the door in the seventh inning, retiring the side in order to secure Louisiana's series-opening victory.
The Ragin' Cajuns finished with seven hits in the contest, including doubles from Hart and Otto and Knox's home run. UL moved to 17-1 when out-hitting the opponent and pulled even at 5-5 when the opposition scores first.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana continues its Sun Belt Conference home-opening series with Texas State on Saturday, March 21 in a 2:00 p.m. contest at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park.
The Ragin' Cajuns get the first of two opportunities to capture the series victory over their rival Bobcats.
Prior to the contest, senior pitcher Lexie Delbrey's Senior Day ceremony will take place.
Saturday's matchup will be televised on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald and Yvette Girouard 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: Hoover, Sage (5-5)
L: Maddy Azua (13-7)
Batting:
2B: Keely Williams 1
RBI: Kat Zarate 1
SH: Kate Bubela 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Keely Williams 1
HBP: Harley Vestal 1 ; Sami Hood 1
Batting:
2B: Hart, Haley 1 ; Otto, Brooke 1
HR: Knox, Lily 1
RBI: Otto, Brooke 1 ; Knox, Lily 1
SH: Hart, Haley 1 ; Marceaux, Kennedy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Knox, Lily 1 ; Williams, Dayzja 1
Game Leaders
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
P
/ SoftballIF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
IF
/ SoftballIF
/ Softball
OF
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