COLUMBUS, Ga.-No. 16 Louisiana recorded just six hits in their 8-0 victory over Tennessee Tech, but benefited from five home runs, including a pair of multi-homer games from Lana Bowers (Crosby, Texas) and Gabriele Bridges (Lafitte, La.).

The two home runs in the game were the first time either Bowers or Bridges had ever hit multi-home runs in a game. Bowers’ two home runs tied her 2007 total for homers, while Bridges pair of dingers gives her four on the season.

The Cajuns first four hits of the game were solo home runs.

Defensively, freshman Ashley Brignac (River Ridge, La.) held down Tennessee Tech the whole game. Brignac worked 6.0 innings, allowing just two hits and one walk. She recorded a season low four strikeouts, but relied on solid defense behind her to preserve the shutout.

The Cajuns were the first team on the scoreboard. In the first inning, Katie Smith (Ruston, La.), who was batting in the leadoff spot for the first time in her career, worked the count full before drawing a free pass. Holly Tankersley (Kirbyville, Texas) grounded out to third base, and the speedy Smith easily advanced to second and headed towards third. The throw was off the mark and rolled into the outfield, allowing Smith to score easily and give the Cajuns the early 1-0 edge.

The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs, Bridges lifted a 1-1 pitch over the left centerfield wall for her third home run of the season. The solo shot doubled the UL lead to 2-0.

UL added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Bowers led off the inning with a solo home run to left centerfield. Then, two batters later, Tankersley extended her hot play in the Leadoff with her third home run of the tournament. The solo shot to right field gave the Cajuns a 4-0 edge after five innings.

In the sixth inning, Bridges recorded her first multi-homer game of her career as she drove a 0-2 pitch over the left field fence. Brooke Brodhead (Lafayette, La.) singled to right field to give the Cajuns a base runner and advanced to second on a Jessica Dupont (Alexandria, La.) walk. Bowers added her second home run of the day to give the Cajuns an 8-0 lead and end the game.

RaginCajuns.com

Chris Whitehead