Eight runs in the first four innings almost wasn't enough, but UL's baseball team came up with some insurance in the ninth inning to insure itself of a season sweep over in-state rival La. Tech Wednesday night.
The Ragin' Cajuns scored in each of the first four innings, and Scott Hawkins launched a pinch-hit two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to insure an 11-6 win over the Bulldogs at Tech's J. C. Love Field.
UL (21-5), winners of six in a row heading into this weekend's Sun Belt Conference road series at Florida International, had taken a 5-1 pitcher's duel win over the Bulldogs back on Feb. 27 at Moore Field.
This time, the Cajuns scored in each of the first four innings and led 8-0 before the Bulldogs (19-13) managed to score. But the host 'Dogs bit into the margin and got as close as 8-6 in the eighth inning before reliever Gregory Harmon worked out of a jam and retired the side in order in the ninth.
"He came in and did an excellent job," said Cajun coach Tony Robichaux. "There was a lot of pressure on him in that situation and being on the road and he got it done. It was good for him and good for us because we're going to need him."
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Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com