LAFAYETTE — 12th-ranked Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball produced at least one run each inning in capturing a 9-1 (5 inn.) win over North Dakota on Friday at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park.
Louisiana (5-1) gradually built the lead with single runs in its first three at bats, before a five-run explosion in the fourth inning put the visiting Fighting Hawks (3-3) away.
The fourth-inning outburst was in response to a tally in the top of the frame which drew UND closer at 3-1. Bailey Curry delivered a pinch-hit RBI double to fast track the Ragin’ Cajuns run to the mercy-rule triumph.
Kendall Talley followed up Curry’s at bat with a two-run single, then Sarah Hudek and Julie Rawls delivered RBI singles and the Ragin’ Cajuns lead quickly swelled to 8-1.
An inning later, Talley locked up Louisiana’s third consecutive – and fourth overall – run-rule win of the young season with a two-out RBI single.
Starting in the leadoff spot a second straight game Talley delivered another multiple-hit game finishing 3-for-4 with a team-leading three RBI.
Curry, who posted a hit in both at bats, and Kaitlyn Alderink each delivered two-hit efforts. Rawls had a sacrifice fly prior to her run-scoring single in the fourth inning, giving her two RBI for her fourth multiple-RBI game.
Megan Kleist yielded only one run, which was an RBI ground out, and one hit. She struck out nine of the 18 batters that she faced.
With the win the Ragin’ Cajuns extended their win streak to three games.