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TROY, Ala.-Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns opened up the 2008 Sun Belt Conference Tournament with a mercy-rule victory over Western Kentucky in Troy, Ala.
The Cajuns scored eight runs on seven hits including a three-hit performance by freshman Gabriele Bridges (Lafitte, La.). Bridges finished the game 3-for-3 with a run scored and five runs batted in. Bridges collected a pair of singles and a double to lead all Cajuns.
Senior Holly Tankersley (Kirbyville, Texas) also finished the game with a pair of hits. The SBC Player of the Year finished the game with a double, a single and a pair of runs scored.
Melissa Verde (Beaumont, Texas) finished the game 0-for-0, drawing three walks in her three plate appearances. She and Tankersley were the only two Cajuns to score two runs.
In the circle, Ashley Brignac (River Ridge, La.) recorded double-digit strikeouts for the 15th time this season. The conference Pitcher of the Year allowed just three hits to pick up her 11th shutout of the year. Five of the first six outs of the game came by way of strikeout.
The Cajuns were the first to scratch the scoreboard. Tankersley led off the second inning with a single through the left side of the infield. Verde followed with a four-pitch walk. With two on and two outs, Bridges delivered a clutch two-out single through the left side of the inning. Tankersley sprinted towards home and slid into home safely for the Cajuns’ first run of the game.
Louisiana added three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Tankersley led off the inning with a double off of the left field wall. Verde walked to give the Cajuns a pair of baserunners. A fielding error by Western Kentucky loaded the bases for UL. Tankersley came around to score on a passed ball that moved the runners. With runners on second and third and one out, Bridges delivered a two-RBI single to right field giving the Ragin’ Cajuns a 4-0 lead after four complete innings of play.
The Ragin’ Cajuns plated four runners in the bottom of the sixth inning to complete the mercy rule. Verde drew her third walk of the game to lead off the inning. A one-out single by Brooke Brodhead (Lafayette, La.) gave the Cajuns a pair of base runners. Bridges followed with a two-RBI double to the gap in left centerfield. A sacrifice bunt moved Bridges to third base and Vallie Gaspard (Maurice, La.) drew a base on balls to give the Cajuns runners on the corners. Gaspard stole second base to move into scoring position. Karli Hubbard (Lafayette, La.) drew a free pass, but the final ball sailed over the catchers head. Hubbard advanced all the way to second; Gaspard moved to third and Bridges scored on the play. Leading 7-0 with two outs, Vanessa Soto (San Diego, Calif.) delivered an RBI single to left centerfield to seal the mercy-rule victory.
The LAdy Cajuns will now play Florida International in the next round. The Cajuns and Golden Panthers will square off in the second round at 5:30 p.m.
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<center> Chris Whitehead
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