CONWAY, S.C. – Despite another dominate display at the plate in which Louisiana outhit Coastal Carolina, the Ragin’ Cajuns came up just short in Sunday’s series finale as it fell to the Chanticleers, 11-9, at Springs Brooks Stadium.
The Ragin’ Cajuns (22-28, 10-14) added 16 more hits and nine more runs to wrap up a monster weekend at the plate with a total 40 hits and 28 runs, both season highs for a series. Nine of the 10 batters who made plate appearances for the Ragin’ Cajuns on Sunday recorded a hit, with four different players recording a multi-hit effort.
Daniel Lahare led the way with a 4-for-4 afternoon, his first four-hit outing of the season and the third of his career, to go along with two runs scored and two RBI. Todd Lott added three more hits, bringing his weekend total to nine, to compliment a run scored and RBI, while Orynn Veillon and Hunter Kasuls each added two hits of their own.
Junior Dalton Horton (1-2) took the loss on Sunday after allowing three runs on three hits in two thirds of an inning of work. Five other Ragin’ Cajuns went the rest of the way, working at least an inning each.
A ground ball off Veillon’s bat saw Louisiana take an early 1-0 lead, but Coastal Carolina responded in a big way with three runs on three hits in the bottom of the first to go in front. That lead was extended to 5-1 in the third on a two-run single by Bradley Riopelle.
Lahare sparked some life into the offense in the fourth when he led off the inning with a 331-foot home run over the left-field wall to cut into the deficit. Two more runs came across the plate in that inning courtesy of a sacrifice fly by Hayden Cantrelle and a single by Lott to bring the Ragin’ Cajuns within a run, 5-4.
Coastal Carolina (27-20-1) then took a commanding lead over the next two innings, using a three-run shot in the fourth and a two-run single in the fifth to open a 10-4 advantage into the final four innings.
After a handful of single-run frames, the Ragin’ Cajuns were able to pull within 11-9 when two scored on a wild pitch and Handsome Monicascored on a Lahare single. However, it was not enough as Coastal Carolina hung on in the ninth to take the series finale.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@RaginCajunsBSB) to stay up-to-date with Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Baseball) or by checking RaginCajuns.com.