MOBILE, Ala. – Ninth-ranked Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball continued its home run surge on Saturday fueling an 11-2 (5 inn.) win over South Alabama which captured the series victory.
Louisiana (25-4, 8-0 Sun Belt) launched three home runs, increasing the USA series total to seven. It also marked the eighth game of multiple home runs in the past 11 games.
Alissa Dalton and Lexie Comeaux provided the game-defining moments. Dalton delivered a two-out, three-run shot in the second inning to open the scoring and give Louisiana the lead for good. Comeaux ripped a grand slam in the fourth inning to extend the lead to 11-1 and put the game out of reach.
The scoring output matched the series opener total and Louisiana posted double-figure hits (11) for the second straight game against Jaguars pitching.
Kandra Lamb, Carrie Boswell, Casey Dixon and Alison Deville worked together in the circle to slow down South Alabama (11-17, 1-7 Sun Belt).
The Ragin’ Cajuns clinched the program’s 49th consecutive Sun Belt Conference series victory, a streak which spans the past 5-1/2 seasons and dates back to March 2013.
LEADING THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS
Comeaux (3-for-3, HR, 4 RBI) produced a hit in each plate appearance leading to her season-high figure. Raina O’Neal excelled in the leadoff spot once again, finishing 3-for-4 at the plate.
Dalton stretched her hitting streak to a season-best five games when she jumpstarted the scoring in the second inning.
Comeaux and Dalton both scored twice leading a group of nine Ragin’ Cajuns who crossed home plate at least once.
Aeriyl Mass collected her season-best of two stolen bases, swiping second and third base before scoring on a wild pitch which upped the lead to 5-1 in the third inning.
Sarah Hudek drew a game-high tying two walks, the final one with the bases loaded in the fourth inning which sparked a six-run outburst.
Lamb received the start and notched three strikeouts in setting the pace during her two innings of work. Dixon and Devile pitched 1-1/3 innings of scoreless softball to wrap up the run-rule triumph.
NOTEWORTHY
- Louisiana extended its series-best winning streak over South Alabama to 11 games. The Ragin’ Cajuns have won every matchup dating back to the 2016 season.
- With the three home runs, the Ragin’ Cajuns increased their season extra base hits total to 98, which matches the output from the entire 2018 season (57 games played).
- During the 11-game stretch of multiple home runs in eight contests, which began in the Texas State series opener, the Ragin’ Cajuns have generated 22 home runs.
- Raina O’Neal posted multiple hits for the second straight outing and increased her series-leading total to five (5-for-8).
- Bailey Curry has homered in back-to-back games for the first time this season. The Toledo transfer, now with five home runs, has hit one in three of the past four contests.
- Louisiana has totaled 22 runs and 25 hits in the weekend series in Mobile. The Ragin’ Cajuns are hitting .424 and slugging .814 on the strength of nine extra base hits (2 doubles, 7 home runs).
- Louisiana’s offense produced five-plus runs for the 19th time and surpassed 10 for the seventh time. The pitching staff limited the opposition to two runs or less for the 21st time.
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SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE
• Season tickets, beginning at $100, are available online at RaginCajuns.com using Account Manager, by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 265-2170 or by visiting the ticket office in person Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and extended hours during Ragin’ Cajuns basketball events.
• Fans who purchase season tickets receive priority access for any potential NCAA postseason games held at Lamson Park.
• For information on premium seating and parking at Lamson Park, contact the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation (RCAF) at (337) 851-2903. General admission parking at Cajun Field will be free for all games during the 2019 season.