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Cajuns win slugfest 11-7 over South Alabama

Posted at 10:49 PM, Mar 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-22 23:49:25-04

MOBILE, Ala. (Press Release) – Paced by a season-high tying four home runs and multiple runs scored in four different innings No. 9 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball outslugged South Alabama 11-7 in the opening game of a Sun Belt Conference series at Jaguar Field.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (24-4, 7-0 Sun Belt) received at least one hit from eight players in totaling 14 hits which led to the highest scoring output in conference play this season.

The final two home runs, a two-run blast from Bailey Curry followed by a solo home run from Sarah Hudek, came in the sixth inning and pulled Louisiana ahead 9-7, completing a comeback made necessary by a mid-game uprising from the Jaguars (11-16, 1-6 Sun Belt).

South Alabama used a pair of two-run home runs in the third inning and a bases-clearing double in the fourth inning to overcome a 4-0 deficit and put Louisiana in comeback mode.

The win allows the Ragin’ Cajuns to remain the lone undefeated team in the Sun Belt. It also increased the team’s road win streak to five games.

LEADING THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS
The top three in the batting order, Raina O’Neal, Alissa Dalton and Julie Rawls, combined for six hits and six runs scored. Rawls reached base all five plate appearances (2-for-2, 3 walks) and picked up her team-leading ninth home run leading off the third inning.

Hudek was 3-for-5 at the plate, leading all players in base hits, and joined Rawls and Curry in tallying a team-high two RBI.

Keeli Milligan collected her 35th stolen base of the season and was 2-for-4 at the plate marking her third multiple-hit game in the past two weeks.

Carrie Boswell pitched three innings of scoreless softball the remainder of the contest after the Jaguars had taken a 7-5 lead during her first full inning of work. She totaled five innings overall in relief of Summer Ellyson and scattered five hits.

NOTEWORTHY
Louisiana’s four home runs marked the most allowed by South Alabama since May 8, 2015 when the Ragin’ Cajuns hit five in a Sun Belt Tournament matchup in San Marcos, Texas.
The four home runs matched the season-high figure hit first posted on Feb. 17 vs. SFA.
At nine home runs, Julie Rawls is one away from tying her career-best 10 hit last season at Northwestern State.
Julie Rawls’ season batting average has reached .500. Since March 1, she is batting 19-for-27 (.704) with six doubles, four home runs and 18 RBI.
The offense generated multiple home runs for the seventh time in the past 10 games, a streak which dates back to the Texas State series. Friday night’s output increased the season home run total to 40.
With six extra base hits (2 doubles, 4 home runs), the Ragin’ Cajuns increased their season total to 95. The squad is on the verge of surpassing the 98 posted all of last season.
Louisiana extended its series-best winning streak over South Alabama to 10 games. The Ragin’ Cajuns have won every matchup dating back to the 2016 season.
UP NEXT
No. 9 Louisiana and South Alabama return to Jaguar Field on Saturday at 3 p.m. for the middle game of the weekend set.