NewsLocal NewsIn Your Parish

Actions

Louisiana tops SLU 9-8 for series sweep

Posted at 11:57 PM, Apr 03, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-04 00:57:41-04

HAMMOND, La. (Press Release) – In a game that featured four lead changes and five innings with multiple runs scored, it was Louisiana that emerged victorious with the help of a five-spot in the sixth to snag a 9-8 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday night.

The big five-run inning from the Ragin’ Cajuns (15-16, 4-5) was pivotal as the team improved to 10-4 on the year when holding a lead after the sixth frame.

Starting for just the third time this season, Tremaine Spears made his presence felt in a big way as the designated hitter with a 3-for-5 evening that included a two-run shot to right center and three RBI. Todd Lott continued his dominance at the plate and extended his hitting streak to 13 games with two hits in four at bats.

Four other Ragin’ Cajuns finished the game with a single and an RBI to aid in the victory.

On the hill, newcomer Blake Schultz improved to 3-1 on the season by throwing 3.1 innings of no-run, three-hit baseball with three punch outs. The game was closed out by Gunner Leger, who struck out three of the final four batters in the contest to earn his second save in as many appearances.

Louisiana took an early lead in the top of the second, which it held until the bottom of the third when a two-run homer from Southeastern Louisiana (14-15, 6-3) saw the home team go ahead, 2-1.

Things began to look up for the Ragin’ Cajuns in the top of the fourth when an Orynn Veillon RBI single and Spears’ two-run homer to right-center field propelled them back into the lead. However, the Lions responded with a four-spot in the same frame to snatch a 6-4 lead.

An RBI double off Brennan Breaux’s bat and a sacrifice fly by Hayden Cantrelle got the sixth off to a good start and tied things up at six runs apiece. In the next at bat, Hunter Kasuls gave Louisiana its third lead of the game with a single to right center before two more runs were plated on a walk and an error to bump the advantage to 9-6.

Southeastern Louisiana made some noise in the bottom of the eighth when it plated two runs to cut the deficit to 9-8. However, Leger was able to get the final four batters of the game to clinch the season sweep.

Louisiana returns to Russo Park and opens an eight-game homestand when it welcomes Arkansas State to Lafayette. Game times are set for 6:30 p.m., on Friday, 4 p.m., on Saturday and 1 p.m., on Sunday and will be broadcast at RaginCajuns.com/Watch.