LAdy Cajuns Sweep. Mitchell shines

<blockquote><p align=justify>LAKE CHARLES — Brooke Mitchell and freshman Holly Tankersley formed a dynamic duo for Louisiana in Friday action at McNeese State’s Cowgirl Classic.

Mitchell fashioned her fourth no-hitter of 2004 (eighth in her career) and earned two pitching victories, while Tankersley delivered seven RBI as the No. 10 Ragin’ Cajuns defeated Nevada 2-1 and host McNeese State 7-0.

The victories improved UL to 17-1 on the season heading into games today against Texas Southern (2:30 p.m.) and Nevada (4:45).

Tankersley got the Cajuns off on the right foot in the first inning of Friday’s opener, drilling a two-run home run off loser Judith van Campen after Tiffany Hebert reached base on an error.

Mitchell then endured a rocky start, walking three batters and hitting Lindsey Hall with a pitch to score Jiliane Hartfiel and allow the Wolf Pack to cut the Cajun lead in half.

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But that was the last moment Nevada enjoyed, as Mitchell shut the door the rest of the way.

She tied her own school record with 16 strikeouts and walked four to outduel van Kampen, who was the hard-luck loser despite allowing just four hits by Tankersley, Ashley Evans, Joy Webre and Crystal George.

Mitchell now has 173 strikeouts in 2004, passing Jill Eisnaugle for the No. 2 spot on the UL career list with 616. Only Kyla Hall (820) has more.

Tankersley was 3-for-3 with two home runs and five RBI in the victory over McNeese, making life easy for Mitchell (5 innings) and Heather Bobbitt (2 innings).

UL dusted off McNeese starter Jessica Denham after one-third of an inning.

Hebert walked, reached second on a wild pitch and was joined on base by a walk issued to Tankersley. Both came home on a Lacey Bertucci single.

In the third inning, Webre walked and stole second, George walked and after a strikeout Tankersley unloaded a three-run home run off relief pitcher Corrie Hale.

Tankersley struck again in the fourth inning, delivering her eighth home run as a Cajun after George drew a leadoff walk, to make it 7-0.

Bertucci picked up a pair of hits in support of Tankersley in the Cajun lineup.

UL left six runners on base against Nevada and left seven stranded against the Cowgirls, but was still able to win twice.
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