PRESS RELEASE
BOONE, N.C. – Junior Gavin Bourgeois came up with the game-winning hit in the eighth inning as the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns baseball team rallied to defeat Appalachian State 4-3 in the series opener on Friday night at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium.
Senior left-hander Colten Schmidt claimed his fourth victory of the year in the contest limiting the Mountaineers (8-24, 1-12 SBC) to three runs on five hits in eight innings of work. Schmidt struck out two and allowed just one runner to reach second base after the first inning.
Junior Nick Lee earned his first career save tossing a perfect ninth inning with three strikeouts.
App State starter Colin Schmid was handed the loss despite holding the Ragin’ Cajuns (18-17, 6-7 SBC) to four runs (three earned) on three hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in 7.2 innings.
LEADING THE CAJUNS
Junior Daniel Lahare led the Cajuns with two RBI on the night, while both Jonathan Windham and Kole McKinnon scored twice in the game going 1-for-2 with a walk. Senior Kennon Fontenot extended his on-base streak to 15 games going 1-for-4.
HOW IT HAPPENED
App State jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a base-clearing double down the left field line by Conner Leonard.
Louisiana cut the Mountaineer advantage to 3-2 in the top of the third inning as two runs came home to score on an error by ASU shortstop Joe McDaniel on a ground ball from Lahare.
After four scoreless innings, the Ragin’ Cajuns evened the game at 3-all when Lahare brought home Windham on an RBI ground out to second base. In the next at bat, Gavin Bourgeois lined a two-out single to left field to plate McKinnon and give Louisiana a 4-3 lead.
The Mountaineers threatened in the bottom of the eighth putting a runner on second base with one out, but Schmidt got Drew Beck to ground out and Riley Smith to foul out to end the inning. Lee then came into the game in the ninth and struck out the side to end the contest.
UP NEXT
Due to rain forecasted for Boone on Sunday, Louisiana and Appalachian State will play a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 11 a.m. CT. Sophomore right-hander Jack Burk will take the mound in game one, while junior left-hander will make the start in game two for the Cajuns. App State has junior left-hander Andrew Vaccacio tabbed to start in game one. The Mountaineers have yet to announce a game two starter.
Fans can listen to both games on News Talk KPEL 96.5-FM with Jay Walker and Jeff Schneider on the call.