RUSTON – Freshman hurler Michael Cook (Lafayette, La.) posted his second superb outing in as many starts, while Louisiana took advantage of timely hitting as the Ragin' Cajuns dismantled the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 11-2 Tuesday night at J.C. Love Field.

Louisiana (5-9) snapped a three-game losing streak, while earning its first road victory of the 2008 season. Cook (2-0) was once again outstanding in second straight start on the mound, scattering six hits with one run allowed in 6 2/3 innings. Cook struck out three batters on 101 total pitches.

The nine-run loss is the largest margin of defeat for Louisiana Tech (9-6) this season. It was also only the second home loss for the Bulldogs in nine home games. Tech committed a school-record-tying seven errors, while the Ragin' Cajuns scored seven runs with two outs.

Tech's Mike LeBreton (1-1) was the losing pitcher, allowing three runs on two hits in 2 2/3 innings. LeBreton allowed the Tech's only two earned runs on the night.

Preseason All-American Scott Hawkins (Collierville, Tenn.) went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, while Justin Robichaux (Crowley, La.) went 3-for-3 with a RBI. Nolan Gisclair (Marrero, La.) drove in a team-best three RBI along with a two-run home run in the first inning.

For just the fourth time this season, Louisiana scored in the first inning as the Ragin' Cajuns took a 2-0 lead. Josh Logan (Magee, Miss.) drew a full-count lead-off walk before scoring on a Gisclair two-run homer over 15-foot fence in left field.

Three batters later, Robichaux blooped a double down the left field line for the Cajuns' third base runner of the inning. However, Robichaux and Matt Hicks (Houston, Texas) were stranded on base after Poirrier grounded out to end the inning.

Louisiana would add to its lead in the third inning, 3-0, thanks to a timely two-out error by Tech centerfielder Adam Cobb. After LeBreton retired the first two Cajuns, the freshman walked consecutive batters and was then relieved by hard-throwing right-hander Luke Burnett. In the ensuing at bat, Hicks popped a seemingly inning-ending fly ball to center, but Cobb slipped in an attempt to make the play.

Once Cobb regained his footing, the ball fell to the ground after bouncing off the top webbing of his glove. Cobb's two-base error permitted Hawkins to extend Louisiana's lead to 3-0.

With the Bulldogs threatening Cook's shutout in the fourth, Gisclair single-handedly prevented Louisiana Tech from two potential run-producing hits. Gisclair robbed Drew Bunting of a one-out solo home run when he caught the ball over the right field fence. Two batters later, Gisclair made an amazing sliding catch on his knees in left-center field, taking a gapper away from Albie Goulder.

Louisiana doubled its lead, 6-0, scoring three runs in the fifth inning. With two outs, Hawkins singled to right center and advanced to second after Clint Stubbs misplaced the ball. Robichaux followed with a RBI single to centerfield for a four-run Cajuns cushion. After Hicks reached base safely on shortstop's Nick Grunenwald throwing errors, Poirrier delivered a two-RBI single down the left field line, resulting in a 6-0 Cajuns lead.

Poirrier's single snapped his 0-for-13 slump dating back to the season opener against Army, while also tallying his first two career RBI.

Another fielding miscue by the Bulldogs defense allowed the Cajuns to plate their seventh run of the game as William Long (Valrico, Fla.) scored for a 7-0 lead in the sixth inning.

Louisiana Tech burst Cook's hopes of a shutout in the bottom of the seventh when Grunenwald drilled a RBI sacrifice fly to score Chris Kersten. The Cajuns avoided further damage as the Bulldogs left the bases loaded to end the seventh.

The Cajuns scored three more in the eighth for an insurmountable 10-1 lead. Gisclair drove in his third run of the game with a RBI sacrifice fly. Two batters later, Hawkins hammered a 400-foot line drive home run over the centerfield fence for the nine-run advantage.

Louisiana returns to action this weekend when the Ragin' Cajuns travel to Boca Raton, Fla., to face the Florida Atlantic Owls in Sun Belt Conference action.

RaginCajuns.com

Chris Yandle