Pair of Four-Run Innings Powers Cajuns Past FIU
MIAMI, Fla.-Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns baseball team needed two big innings to power past Florida International on Friday night 10-3.
With the win, the Cajuns improve to 22-5 overall and 8-2 in Sun Belt Conference play. The loss drops the Golden Panthers to 15-14 over all and 2-5 SBC.
Two Ragin’ Cajuns collected multiple hits on the night. Nolan Gisclair led the Cajuns. The junior outfielder collected three hits, including a homerun; scored two runs and drove in a game high four runs.
Scott Hawkins collected a pair of hits on the night. The sophomore collected his 12th multi-hit game of the season. In the ninth inning, Hawkins added a two-run homerun to help pad the Cajuns lead.
Starting pitcher Buddy Glass did not have his best pitches on the night, but escaped to collect his fifth win of the season. Glass scattered seven hits in 6.0 innings of work. He allowed three runs—one earned run. He struck out four batters while only issuing one free pass.
Danny Farquhar picked up the save for the Cajuns. The save was the sixth of the season for the Pembroke Pines, Fla. native. He worked the final three innings of work without allowing a run. Farquhar retired the first seven batters he faced before walking a batter. He surrendered just two hits on the night, while striking out four.
The Golden Panthers were the first to scratch the scoreboard. A lead off double down the left field line started the game for FIU. An RBI single bounced over the head of Devery Van De Keere at third base to score the lead runner from second base. With no outs, the Cajuns trailed 1-0 with a runner on first base. Glass worked the count full to the next batter. The Panthers tried a hit and run, but Glass recorded the strikeout and Jonathan Lucroy was able to gun down the runner at second base for the second out of the inning. A fly ball ended the inning, but after one full inning of play, the Ragin’ Cajuns trailed 1-0.
For the second straight inning, the Florida International led off the inning with a double to left field. However, this time the runner would go no further. A ground ball kept the runner on second and recorded the first out of the inning. A shallow fly ball to left field recorded the second out of the inning and a fly ball to right field ended the FIU threat.
The Cajuns missed a prime opportunity in the third inning. With one out in the inning, Josh Logan singled up the middle to give the Cajuns a base runner. A failed pick off attempt moved Logan to second base and Logan’s eighth stolen base of the season put the Cajuns 90-feet away from tying the game. A strikeout and a ground out to the catcher ended the UL threat and left the Cajuns trailing by one.
In the fifth inning, William Long led off the inning with a single up the middle. It was the first time all game that the Cajuns had the leadoff batter reach base in the game. Long stole second base to give the Cajuns their first runner in scoring position since the first inning. With one out, Devon Bourque singled through the right side of the infield to plate the first run of the night for UL. After the Golden Panthers recorded the second out of the inning, Nolan Gisclair collected his second hit of the game. Third base coach John Szefc waved the runner home and Bourque beat the tag for the second run of the inning. Midway through the game the Cajuns claimed a 2-1 lead.
For the third time in five innings, the Cajuns allowed the lead off batter to reach base. A single to left field began the inning. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner to second base, but back-to-back strikeouts by Glass retired the side and ended the FIU threat.
The Golden Panthers answered the Cajuns’ two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. For the fourth time in the game, FIU got the lead runner on base. This time the Florida Atlantic needed a throwing error by the Cajuns to get the lead runner on base. A one-out double gave the Golden Panthers a pair of runners in scoring position. The lead runner came across to score on a groundout, tying the game at 2-2. An RBI single plated the second runner of the inning giving FIU the one-run lead.
The Cajuns regained the lead in the top of the seventh. With one out, Justin Robichaux singled to right center to get things started for the Cajuns. Bourque drew a 10-pitch base on balls to turn the lineup over for UL. Dustin Miller pinch ran for Robichaux at second base. Miller advanced to third on a pitch in the dirt. Logan reached on a fielder’s choice that was mishandled by the FIU shortstop allowing Bourque to advance to second safely. On the play, Miller came into score knotting the game at 3-3. Gisclair made the Golden Panthers pay for the error as he hit his fifth homerun of the season. The three-run shot gave the Cajuns a 6-3 edge after six and a half innings of play.
The Cajuns put another four-spot in the ninth inning. Gisclair drew a one-out walk to start things off for the Cajuns. He moved to second as Tatford reached on a fielding error by FIU. Jonathan Lucroy doubled to deep centerfield to plate both runners and extend the Cajuns’ lead. Van De Keere drew a base on balls and Scott Hawkins hit his sixth homerun of the season to give the Cajuns a four-run inning. The Cajuns took a 10-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth.
After retiring the first seven batters he faced, Farquhar loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth. A walk and a pair of singles loaded the bases, but three strikeouts ended the inning and the threat.
The Ragin’ Cajuns and Golden Panthers will continue the series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. Central time.
LOUISIANA SI
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