University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, March 21
Lafayette
2:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
18-13, 2-3
2
vs
4
Texas State
20-11, 3-2
1st innning1
2nd innning2
3rd innning3
4th innning4
5th innning5
6th innning6
7th innning7
RunsR
HitsH
ErrorsE
Texas State
1
0
2
1
0
0
0
4
8
2
Louisiana
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
3
4
Late Cajuns Surge Falls Just Short at Lamson Park
3/21/2026 7:12:00 PM | Softball
Soto’s pinch-hit blast cuts the deficit before Texas State secures 4-2 win
LAFAYETTE – A late spark from the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball team brought energy back to Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park on Saturday afternoon, but Texas State held on to claim a 4-2 win in Sun Belt Conference play on March 21.
Louisiana (18-13, 2-3 SBC) battled throughout the afternoon and made one final push in the seventh inning, trimming the deficit to two runs behind a pinch-hit home run from Lillian Soto (1-for-1, HR, 2 RBI).
Saturday's result evened the weekend series between the Ragin' Cajuns and Bobcats. The rubber game is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 22.
Texas State (20-11, 3-2 SBC) built a 4-0 advantage through the first four innings, though only one run was earned. The Bobcats took advantage of free passes and Ragin' Cajuns miscues – Louisiana committing a season-high four errors in the contest.
While the Ragin' Cajuns continued to search for a breakthrough at the plate, the pitching staff kept the Bobcats from adding insurance runs. Bethaney Noble (4.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K) struck out Aiyana Coleman with the bases loaded in the fourth inning and in the fifth inning Julianne Tipton began her relief appearance forcing the Bobcats to leave the bases loaded again.
Tipton finished with 2.2 innings of relief and held Texas State scoreless while allowing just two hits.
The Ragin' Cajuns broke into the scoring column in the bottom of the seventh with a spark from its bench, ending the stronghold reliever Kaili Witherell (6.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 1 K) had held since entering in the first inning.
McKayla Ferguson began the seventh-inning rally with a two-out single through the left side before Soto followed with a towering two-run homer to center field that cut the margin to 4-2 and brought the Lamson Park crowd to life.
Texas State's Maddy Azua entered following the home run and secured the final out to halt the rally.
Dayzja Williams (1-for-2, double) recorded Louisiana's first extra-base hit of the day with a double in the third inning, while Ferguson and Soto accounted for the Ragin' Cajuns' other two hits in the final frame.
The Bobcats snapped the Ragin' Cajuns' two-game win streak in the series and set up a rubber game between the two programs for the second straight season.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana wraps up its Sun Belt Conference home opening series at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park on Sunday, March 22, taking on Texas State at 1:00 p.m. in the series finale.
The Ragin' Cajuns get another opportunity to capture the series victory over their rival Bobcats. Louisiana won each of the previous 11 SBC series with Texas State since the Bobcats joined the league in 2014.
Sunday'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.
The UL Softball program is hosting Bark in the Park, inviting fans to bring their dogs and enjoy an afternoon in the outfield seating area. All dog owners are required to complete a Bark at the Park waiver prior to entry, the form accessible at RaginCajuns.com/Bark.
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 (18-13, 2-3 SBC) battled throughout the afternoon and made one final push in the seventh inning, trimming the deficit to two runs behind a pinch-hit home run from Lillian Soto (1-for-1, HR, 2 RBI).
Saturday's result evened the weekend series between the Ragin' Cajuns and Bobcats. The rubber game is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 22.
Texas State (20-11, 3-2 SBC) built a 4-0 advantage through the first four innings, though only one run was earned. The Bobcats took advantage of free passes and Ragin' Cajuns miscues – Louisiana committing a season-high four errors in the contest.
While the Ragin' Cajuns continued to search for a breakthrough at the plate, the pitching staff kept the Bobcats from adding insurance runs. Bethaney Noble (4.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K) struck out Aiyana Coleman with the bases loaded in the fourth inning and in the fifth inning Julianne Tipton began her relief appearance forcing the Bobcats to leave the bases loaded again.
Tipton finished with 2.2 innings of relief and held Texas State scoreless while allowing just two hits.
The Ragin' Cajuns broke into the scoring column in the bottom of the seventh with a spark from its bench, ending the stronghold reliever Kaili Witherell (6.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 1 K) had held since entering in the first inning.
McKayla Ferguson began the seventh-inning rally with a two-out single through the left side before Soto followed with a towering two-run homer to center field that cut the margin to 4-2 and brought the Lamson Park crowd to life.
Texas State's Maddy Azua entered following the home run and secured the final out to halt the rally.
Dayzja Williams (1-for-2, double) recorded Louisiana's first extra-base hit of the day with a double in the third inning, while Ferguson and Soto accounted for the Ragin' Cajuns' other two hits in the final frame.
The Bobcats snapped the Ragin' Cajuns' two-game win streak in the series and set up a rubber game between the two programs for the second straight season.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana wraps up its Sun Belt Conference home opening series at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park on Sunday, March 22, taking on Texas State at 1:00 p.m. in the series finale.
The Ragin' Cajuns get another opportunity to capture the series victory over their rival Bobcats. Louisiana won each of the previous 11 SBC series with Texas State since the Bobcats joined the league in 2014.
Sunday'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.
The UL Softball program is hosting Bark in the Park, inviting fans to bring their dogs and enjoy an afternoon in the outfield seating area. All dog owners are required to complete a Bark at the Park waiver prior to entry, the form accessible at RaginCajuns.com/Bark.
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: Kaili Witherell (2-0)
L: Noble, Bethaney (6-4)
S: Maddy Azua (3)
Batting:
RBI: Karmyn Bass 1
SH: Sydney Harvey 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Karmyn Bass 1 ; Harley Vestal 1 ; Megan Kelnar 1 ; Sydney Harvey 1
SB: Kate Bubela 1 ; Megan Kelnar 1
HBP: Megan Kelnar 1 ; Sami Hood 1
Batting:
2B: Williams, Dayzja 1
HR: Soto, Lillian 1
RBI: Soto, Lillian 2
SH: Norwood, Mia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ferguson, McKayla 1 ; Soto, Lillian 1
HBP: Liscano, Mia 1 ; Watts, Miki 1
Game Leaders
AB
1
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
1
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
1
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
C/IF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballIF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballOF
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