SAN MARCOS, Texas (KLFY) – The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball team now stands even in its Sun Belt Conference series with Texas State after the host-Bobcats claimed a 3-2 win in a pitchers-controlled contest on Saturday, April 26 at Bobcat Softball Stadium in San Marcos, Texas.

Louisiana’s Sam Ryan (4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R) and Texas State’s Emma Strood (7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 5 K) swapped scoreless frames and allowed only one hit combined over the first three innings of play.

Strood retired the first 10 Cajuns before Dayzja Williams (1-for-3, triple) lined a one-out triple into the right field corner in the fourth inning. Williams then scored on an infield chopper from Emily Smith to put the Ragin’ Cajuns (24-24, 10-10 SBC) in front 1-0.

The second of only two hits that Ryan allowed came with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, but it was a fortuitous one for the Bobcats (31-17, 13-7 SBC). Morgan Kelnar launched a two-run home run deep to left field and Texas State leapt in front 2-1.

After working around Mia Norwood’s leadoff single in the top of the fifth, the Bobcats collected an insurance run in the bottom half when Erin Peterson doubled down the right field line off of Cajuns’ reliever Tyra Clary (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 K).

The Bobcats defended the short game ahead of Smith (1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI) to keep the bases empty in the sixth. The result was Smith’s home run being a solo shot and TXST remaining ahead 3-2.

Clary kept it a one-run game by inducing a pair of force outs at second base and a lineout with two in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth.

Strood denied the Cajuns a comeback and she retired the side in order in the seventh – the fourth clean inning she posted in the contest.

The loss snapped Louisiana’s five-game winning streak in Sun Belt play. With Southern Miss’ win, the Cajuns slipped back into seventh place in the conference standings.

Smith posted her first home run since the Troy series finale (April 5), collecting the 11th home run of her collegiate rookie campaign. The two RBI pushed her season total to 37 RBI, nine clear of second-leading active player Sam Roe as she attempts to become the first true freshman to be the sole leader since 2004 (Holly Tankersley).

Williams’ triple was the Cajuns’ first extra base hit of the series when it came in the fourth inning. She’s had at least one hit in each game of the series and in four of the last five conference games.

The two pitching staffs combined to surrender just seven hits over the 6-1/2 innings of softball.

Ryan posted her third start of two runs or less allowed in April while Clary continued to excel in relief in SBC play moving to 6-2/3 innings with only one run allowed the past two weekends.

UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA

Louisiana and Texas State meet on Sunday, April 27 at Bobcat Softball Stadium in San Marcos, Texas to decide the series winner. First pitch from the rubber game is scheduled for Noon.

The Ragin’ Cajuns, who swept South Alabama over Easter Weekend, will go after their second consecutive SBC series victory.

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.

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