University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Thursday, April 2
Lafayette
4:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
20-17, 3-7
4
vs
5
Troy
23-12, 5-5
1st innning1
2nd innning2
3rd innning3
4th innning4
5th innning5
6th innning6
7th innning7
RunsR
HitsH
ErrorsE
Troy
2
0
0
0
1
2
0
5
8
0
Louisiana
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
4
9
2
Late Louisiana Rally Falls Short in Series Opener vs. Troy
4/2/2026 8:13:00 PM | Softball
Otto and Smith spark late surge in final two innings as Ragin’ Cajuns nearly erase five-run deficit
LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball team made a furious charge in the latter moments of the game on Thursday, April 2, but ultimately fell just short in a 5–4 decision to Troy in the opening game of the Sun Belt Conference series at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park.
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Louisiana (20-17, 3-7 SBC) erased most of a five-run deficit with a pair of late home runs, but the Ragin' Cajuns' comeback bid came up one swing shy despite outhitting the Trojans, 9–8.
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The Ragin' Cajuns were dealt a season-high, fourth consecutive loss. The Trojans took the series opener from Louisiana for the fourth consecutive season.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Troy (23-12, 5-5 SBC) jumped ahead early when Ella Cunningham (1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI) launched a two-out, two-run home run in the first inning. The Trojans added a single run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to build a 5–0 cushion.
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The Ragin' Cajuns responded in the sixth when Emily Smith (1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI) delivered a pinch-hit two-run home run to right field, scoring Cecilia Vasquez and cutting the deficit to 5–2.
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Louisiana kept the pressure on in the bottom of the seventh.
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Kennedy Marceaux (3-for-4) opened the inning with a single before Brooke Otto (2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI) crushed a two-run homer to left center, trimming the Troy lead to 5–4 and energizing the Lamson Park crowd.
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The Trojans would escape, though, as Cunningham who was pitching in relief bounced back from consecutive walks that put the tying and go-ahead run on base, inducing a pop up from Smith to end the walk-off threat.
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INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Otto finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Marceaux led the Cajuns with three hits. Mia Norwood added two hits, including a double.
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Otto picked up her team-leading eighth home run and 20th extra base hit of the season while also increasing her team-leading RBI total to 34 RBI. Marceaux collected a three-hit game for the second straight outing – turning in a repeat 3-of-4 showing from the ULM finale – and raised her conference-only batting average to .483 (14-of-29).
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In the circle, Sage Hoover (5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K) took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) over five innings falling to 6-8 on the season. Troy's Abby Lovell (6.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 K) earned the win after working 6.1 innings before Cunningham recorded the save.
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UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana and Troy continue the Sun Belt Conference series at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park with Game 2 on Friday, April 3. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
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The Ragin' Cajuns look to even the series with the Trojans and snap their season-long, four-game skid.
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Friday's contest will be televised on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald and Eric Mouton 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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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Louisiana (20-17, 3-7 SBC) erased most of a five-run deficit with a pair of late home runs, but the Ragin' Cajuns' comeback bid came up one swing shy despite outhitting the Trojans, 9–8.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns were dealt a season-high, fourth consecutive loss. The Trojans took the series opener from Louisiana for the fourth consecutive season.
Â
HOW IT HAPPENED
Troy (23-12, 5-5 SBC) jumped ahead early when Ella Cunningham (1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI) launched a two-out, two-run home run in the first inning. The Trojans added a single run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to build a 5–0 cushion.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns responded in the sixth when Emily Smith (1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI) delivered a pinch-hit two-run home run to right field, scoring Cecilia Vasquez and cutting the deficit to 5–2.
Â
Louisiana kept the pressure on in the bottom of the seventh.
Â
Kennedy Marceaux (3-for-4) opened the inning with a single before Brooke Otto (2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI) crushed a two-run homer to left center, trimming the Troy lead to 5–4 and energizing the Lamson Park crowd.
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The Trojans would escape, though, as Cunningham who was pitching in relief bounced back from consecutive walks that put the tying and go-ahead run on base, inducing a pop up from Smith to end the walk-off threat.
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INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Otto finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Marceaux led the Cajuns with three hits. Mia Norwood added two hits, including a double.
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Otto picked up her team-leading eighth home run and 20th extra base hit of the season while also increasing her team-leading RBI total to 34 RBI. Marceaux collected a three-hit game for the second straight outing – turning in a repeat 3-of-4 showing from the ULM finale – and raised her conference-only batting average to .483 (14-of-29).
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In the circle, Sage Hoover (5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K) took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) over five innings falling to 6-8 on the season. Troy's Abby Lovell (6.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 K) earned the win after working 6.1 innings before Cunningham recorded the save.
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UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana and Troy continue the Sun Belt Conference series at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park with Game 2 on Friday, April 3. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns look to even the series with the Trojans and snap their season-long, four-game skid.
Â
Friday's contest will be televised on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald and Eric Mouton 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.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
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).
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- www.RaginCajuns.com -
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Abby Lovell (7-4)
L: Hoover, Sage (6-8)
S: Ella Cunningham (2)
Batting:
2B: Presley Ivey 1
HR: Ella Cunningham 1
RBI: Makaley Boswell 1 ; Kiley Huffman 1 ; Ella Cunningham 2 ; Presley Ivey 1
SH: Lydia Kirby 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Mia Tidmore 2 ; Makaley Boswell 1 ; Ella Cunningham 1 ; Megan Loftis 1
SB: Makaley Boswell 1 ; Megan Loftis 1
HBP: Ella Cunningham 1
Batting:
2B: Norwood, Mia 1
HR: Otto, Brooke 1 ; Smith, Emily 1
RBI: Otto, Brooke 2 ; Smith, Emily 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Marceaux, Kennedy 1 ; Otto, Brooke 1 ; Vasquez, Cecilia 1 ; Smith, Emily 1
CS: Marceaux, Kennedy 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
1
H
3
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
P
/ SoftballIF
/ SoftballC/IF
/ SoftballIF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
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