Cajuns Recover to Gain Split of Doubleheader at Troy
TROY, Al. (KLFY) -- The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball team gained a split of a doubleheader at Troy on Saturday, April 5, getting a bounce back victory after enduring a second consecutive walk-off defeat.
The Ragin’ Cajuns (19-19, 5-7 SBC) held a 4-0 lead after three innings in Game 1 only to see the Trojans (25-17, 5-7 SBC) string together six runs over the final four innings to claim a 6-5 win that clinched the series.
Louisiana turned to Bethaney Noble (7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 3 K) to slow the Troy offense down in Game 2, and she was successful yielding just a single run and five hits. The Cajuns took the lead first for the third straight game in the series and the offense pieced together the support Noble needed in a 4-1 win.
With the win in the nightcap the Ragin’ Cajuns avoided a series sweep for the second straight weekend.
Saturday’s doubleheader closed out the series at the Troy Softball Complex and concluded the first half of league play within the Sun Belt Conference. UL is set to play nine of its final 12 SBC games at Lamson Park starting the weekend of April 11-13 vs. James Madison.
GAME 1
It was a scoreless duel between UL’s Sam Ryan and Troy’s Mya Holt for two innings until the Ragin’ Cajuns offense came alive with two outs in the third inning.
Maddie Hayden opened the scoring with an RBI double – the first of four straight two-out hits that was capped off by Sam Roe’s two-run double to the right center gap which stretched the Cajuns’ advantage to 4-0.
A two-out wild pitch opened the door for Troy in the fourth inning, as it was followed by a single to get the Trojans on the board.
Louisiana responded by getting the run back in the top of the fifth, but nothing more as Holt retired the Cajuns in order in the sixth and seventh innings to increase her number of clean innings in the contest to five.
The Trojans chased Ryan out the circle in the bottom of the fifth, then proceeded to get a two-run double with two outs in back-to-back frames to draw even at 5-all after six complete.
Troy’s two-out production carried over into the seventh inning and completed the comeback. Makaley Boswell delivered the second of two-out singles to push the walk-off tally across home plate.
GAME 2
Noble weathered foot traffic the first two innings, stranding four Trojans runners, then for the final five innings allowed only one runner to successfully advance past first base.
Mia Norwood’s RBI triple in the second inning provided a lead and Hayden’s safety squeeze in the fifth inning generated the space that ensured the lone blemish on Noble’s masterpiece wouldn’t be a hindrance.
Troy spoiled the shutout with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth, then the Cajuns found insurance immediately. Emily Smith led off the top of the sixth with a solo home run and Erin Ardoin doubled in another tally to extend the lead to 4-1.
This time there would be no letdown, or a Trojans rally, as Noble retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth and induced a double play ball in the seventh to finish the game.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Five different Cajuns tallied multiple hits on the day with Ardoin leading the way with three hits (3-for-6).
Hayden had an RBI both games, extending her hitting streak to 10 games, as did Smith who increased her season total to a team-leading 32 RBI.
Kayla Falterman returned to action and her 2-of-3 showing in Game 1 marked her 10th multi-hit game.
Noble recorded her second complete game in SBC play, delivering her best outing since limiting Marshall to four hits in a seven-inning effort back on March 14.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns pay a quick visit to Dr. Billy Bundrick Field in Ruston, Louisiana on Tuesday, April 8 to conclude their midweek home-and-home series with Louisiana Tech. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Louisiana used a three-hit shutout from Sam Ryan and timely hits by Mia Liscano to grab a 3-0 win over the Bulldogs earlier this week at Lamson Park. The Ragin' Cajuns will go after the series sweep and a second consecutive midweek win.
Live coverage is available on ESPN+, the Ragin' Cajuns Radio Network (The Goat 103.3 FM/1420 AM and Varsity Sports app) and CajunStats.com.
Following the trip to Ruston it's the start of a six-game homestand at Lamson Park beginning with an April 11-13 series against James Madison. UL will be celebrating Alumni Weekend throughout the JMU series.
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 also 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 also support the softball student athletes, and invest in the program's future, through the Krewe Allons NIL Collective (click here)