NATCHITOCHES – The 14th-ranked Lady Cajuns of Louisiana started play in the Northwestern State Invitational here Friday evening with a 2-0 win over the host Demons.

After two scoreless frames the Ragin’ Cajuns (14-1) put up a run in the top of the third inning.

Meagan Godwin started off the inning with a single back up the middle of the infield. She then stole second on a Codi Runyan strikeout. A passed ball on NSU catcher Kelly Corliss moved Godwin over to third base.

Godwin would then score on a groundout by Lacey Bertucci giving the Cajuns a 1-0 lead.

The Demons (5-10) broke up Cuevas’ no-hit bid in the bottom half of the inning when Stormi Stech beat out an infield single. NSU would get a second baserunner after pitcher Kristen Lindley drew a walk.

The Cajuns erased the Demons threat when third baseman Melissa Verde intercepted a line drive off the bat of Randi Stuard and tossed back to first to double-up Lindley and end the inning.

On the double play, Lindley was injured sliding back to the bag and was replaced in the circle by right fielder Michelle Castellano.

The Cajuns got a one-out walk from Desi Chatman in the fourth inning, but couldn’t get anything started after Lana Bowers hit into a fielder’s choice grounder at shortstop and Karli Hubbard struck out to end the UL at bat.

Cuevas struck out the side in the Demons’ half of the fourth.

Castellano retired the first two UL hitters in the fifth before hitting Runyan with a pitch. Bertucci hit a sharp grounder up the middle to shortstop, but Stuard held on to field the ball and get the third out.

Cuevas continued to dominate the NSU bating order as she retired the side for the second consecutive inning in the Demons’ half of the fifth.

Louisiana-Lafayette added an insurance run in the seventh inning after being jumpstarted by an infield single to shortstop by Hubbard.

Hubbard stole second to move into scoring position. Vallie Gaspard then chopped a grounder to third base and on the throw to first base Hubbard began her trek toward third base. NSU first baseman Amanda Jameson’s throw in an attempt to catch Hubbard was wide of the bag and sailed down the left field line allowing Hubbard to score upping the Cajuns lead to 2-0.

The insurance was a bonus for Cuevas, but she didn’t really need the help as she continued to move through the Demons lineup with ease.

Cuevas retired NSU in order in the sixth and seventh innings to finish the contest retiring the final 13 NSU batters that she faced.

Cuevas ended the game with eight strikeouts and only one hit allowed over seven innings. She improved to 9-0 with the victory and collected her second shutout of the season.

Lindley took the loss for Northwestern State tossing only three innings after being removed following the baserunning injury. Castellano gave up only one hit in four innings of relief for the Demons.

The Ragin’ Cajuns collected their seventh straight victory.

Louisiana's Ragin’ Cajuns continue play in the Northwestern State Invitational facing Alcorn State at approximately 7:30 p.m., Friday evening.

LOUISIANA SI