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<i>Ashley Brignac struckout 10 batters in her Cajuns debut. </i>
RUSTON, LA. - Louisiana’s softball team scored 13 runs on 13 hits and Ashley Brignac (River Ridge, La.) did the rest in her debut as the Cajuns shutout tournament host Louisiana Tech 13-0 in the second game of the Louisiana Tech Invitational.
The Ashley Brignac Era officially began in game two of the tournament. Brignac did not disappoint the crowd of Cajun fans in the stands. She struck out the first three batters she faced to begin her career. Brignac finished the game with 10 strikeouts and a complete game shutout. She allowed only one single and just six batters to put the ball in play.
Offensively, the Ragin’ Cajuns scattered 13 hits in four innings including a team record seven doubles in the game.
Vanessa Soto (San Diego, Calif.) paced the Cajuns going 3-for-4 with two doubles and five RBI.
Melissa Verde (Beaumont, Texas) collected a pair of doubles of her own as she was 2-for-3 with three runs scored and three RBI.
Holly Tankersley (Kirbyville, Texas) finished the game with three RBI as well, while Lana Bowers (Crosby, Texas) finished the day 3-for-3 with two doubles.
The Cajuns drew first blood in the first inning. Verde led off game two with a double up the middle to get things going for the Cajuns. A fly ball to right field advanced to Verde to scoring position. Soto plated Verde with an RBI double to right centerfield giving UL the early 1-0 edge.
The Cajuns extended their lead in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, Bowers doubled to right center field for her first hit of the season. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Verde. The Texas native collected her second double of the game clearing the bases and giving the Cajuns a four-run advantage. Verde advanced to third on the play and scored easily on the next pitch as Tankersley singled to left field to give the Cajuns a 5-0 edge after two innings.
UL erupted for six runs in the third inning to blow the game wide open. Gabriele Bridges (Lafitte, La.) walked to open the inning and Courtney Trahan (Maurice, La.) pinch ran for the first baseman Bridges. Brooke Brodhead (Lafayette, La.) singled to right center, while Trahan advanced to third. Bowers singled down the left field line to plate the lead runner. After a pitching change, Karli Hubbard beat out a ball hit back to the pitcher to load the bases. A line drive recorded the first out and a fielder’s choice left the bases loaded with two outs. Tankersley worked the count in her favor and drew a free pass, scoring Bowers from third. Soto doubled to left centerfield clearing the bases. Jessica Dupont (Alexandria, La.) followed with a double of her own to score Soto from second and give the Cajuns six runs in the inning and an 11-0 edge after three innings.
With one out in the fourth inning, Bowers doubled down the left field line. The double marked the seventh double of the day for the Cajuns, tying the school set against Grambling State on Feb. 6, 2006. An infield single gave the Cajuns runners on the corners and a walk loaded the bases. Tankersley drew a walk to score her third RBI of the game. Soto followed with a single through the right side to give the Cajuns a 13-0 advantage.
The Lady Cajuns continue the Louisiana Tech Tournament on Sunday afternoon as they take on the Lady Techsters at 1:30 p.m.
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Chris Whitehead
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