Lady Cajuns get back to winning ways

<blockquote><p align=justify>Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns got back in the groove on Sunday, belting Purdue 15-5 on the final day of the 19th Louisiana Classics at Ragin' Cajun Softball Park.

It was just what the Cajuns needed after suffering their first loss of the season on Saturday, the kind of game that bodes well for this week's prestigious NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga.

"I think it meant a lot," coach Stefni Lotief said. "We came back out with the right mindset and decided to go back out there and fight."

The Cajuns (12-1) needed a lift after losing to Nicholls State 1-0 on an eighth-inning passed ball on Saturday, and the Boilermakers (6-3) were the unwilling recipients of that renewed focus.

Senior outfielder Crystal George provided the big lift, lashing a pair of two-out, opposite field triples to break the game open.

It was the first time a Cajun had hit two triples in a game since Lynn Britton against Samford on April 14, 1995, and just the third time in UL history that it has happened.

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With Louisiana ahead 2-1 in the third inning, the bases were full with Lacey Bertucci, Ashley Evans and Tara Hamilton when George stepped to the plate and sent a sinking liner into right field that tailed away from DeQueta Johnson for a three-run triple.

George then scored on a wild pitch and Tiffany Hebert walked and scored on a Danyele Gomez hit to make it 7-1.

Then in the fourth, Bertucci and Evans both walked and George again stepped in with two away. Once again she hit a fading liner to right, plating two and racing for a second triple.

Jill Robertson's single scored George, and Gomez sent Hebert (walk) home with a single to left. It was 11-1 and UL starter Brooke Mitchell (9-1) got the rest of the day off.

"Coach Mike Lotief tells us to fight off every pitch," George said. "He told us there's nothing we can do about Saturday, and that as long as we go out and fight good things will happen. If we do that, he'll be satisfied either way."

As for her two-out RBI production, George said, "we just battle every pitch like it's the last one. We all fight with each at-bat."

"Mentally," Stefni Lotief said, "these kids work so hard on hitting that they know they're going to get hits in those situations. They make adjustments throughout their at-bats, and it's nice to see us get some production with runners in scoring position.

"Everybody on this team gets the chance to step up big, and today we made the most of it."

The Cajuns served notice in the first inning that they wanted to start a new winning streak, as Robertson and Gomez hit back-to-back singles, Brittany Bryant walked and Joy Webre ripped a two-run single.

Then in the UL fifth, Desi Chatman doubled and scored on a Deserea Griffin single, Leslie Pierce singled and pinch runner Ashley Kirchberg scored on a bases-loaded walk to Codi Runyan and Hillary Griffin slapped a two-run single.

Purdue's Johnson delivered a grand slam home run in the bottom of the fifth before Heather Bobbitt could close out the win.

"This definitely gives us some momentum going into Georgia," George said. "When we lost on Saturday, we said that's over. It's a new day today."

With George's help, it turned into a bright new day
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<i>Softball team returns home with winning record in Louisiana Classic</i><blockquote><p align=justify>The Purdue softball team continued its preseason success this weekend, going 3-2 in the Louisiana Classic in Lafayette, La.

Coach Carol Bruggeman said she was pleased with her team’s performance.

"Overall, I felt we competed extremely well in four of the five games we played," Bruggeman said.

"I felt like we competed pretty well and played well."

The Boilers (6-3) opened the tournament with a sweep of their Friday games. Purdue defeated Nicholls State, 6-1, and then defeated Mississippi Valley State, 5-0.

Sophomore Diana LaRiva struck out eight in the Mississippi Valley State game in a complete game effort, while sophomore DaQueta Johnson went 3 for 4 in the game.

Purdue lost its second game Saturday against host No. 5 Louisiana-Lafayette, 3-1. The Ragin’ Cajuns won the game on a seventh-inning home run, while the Boilers scored its solo run from sophomore Katie Fortune.

"The first time we competed against the No. 5 team in the country, it was a phenomenal game," Bruggeman said. "We could have won that game."

The Boilers responded in a rematch against Mississippi Valley State and won the game, 7-2. Purdue had 14 hits in the game, while sophomore pitcher Brooke Baker and freshman Melissa Burns combined for 11 strikeouts.

Purdue lost its final game of the tournament on Sunday in a rematch with Louisiana 15-5.

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Johnson hit a grand slam home run in the fifth inning. The Boiler pitching staff allowed nine walks, the second-most ever allowed by Purdue. The Ragin’ Cajuns’ 15 runs and 16 hits were also the second-most ever allowed by the Boilers.

"We just threw too many pitches," Bruggeman said. "We gave up nine walks and that’s very uncharacterstic of our pitching staff. We had a hard time finding a strike zone.

"I give them a lot of credit, they’re a good hitting team."

Despite the two losses, Bruggeman said the trip to Louisiana would help the Boilers in the future.

"We’re 6-3 at this point, and I feel like we have a really good team," Bruggeman said.

"Our goal next weekend is that we go home with a smile on our faces and play our best game on Sunday."

The Boilers return to action Friday in the Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn.
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