Michigan has Louisiana's number
FULLERTON, Calif. - In a bit of déjà vu, #16 Louisiana fell to the #6 Michigan, 7-2, at the 2008 Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif.
Louisiana and Micigan met up earlier in the season at the 2008 NFCA Leadoff with Michigan claiming a 9-0 victory to close out the tournament for the Lady Cajuns.
Although a different setting and score, the outcome was the same as UL dropped to 20-8 on the season.
Ashley Brignac (River Ridge, La.) took the loss for the Cajuns dropping to 13-5 on the season. Brignac allowed six runs – four earned runs – on nine hits including a pair of home runs. She fanned five batters while walking just two.
Brignac was relieved by Donna Bourgeois (Lafayette, La.). The freshman tossed 2.0 innings allowing one unearned run. She struck out four batters, while walking just one.
Offensively, the Lady Cajuns collected nine hits in the game. Four different UL players collected multiple hits.
The Lady Cajuns’ lone California native Vanessa Soto (San Diego, Calif.) went 2-for-3 with a home run, run scored and RBI in her final “homecoming” game.
Soto was joined by Lana Bowers (Crosby, Texas), Vallie Gaspard (Maurice, La.) and Katie Smith (Ruston, La.) with two hits apiece.
Michigan scored a pair of unearned runs in the first inning to take a quick 2-0 lead. A fielding error with one out gave the Wolverines an early base runner. Brignac struck out the next batter, but a two out single gave UM runners on the corners. A double to left centerfield cleared the bases. Brignac struck out the next batter to end the inning.
The Cajuns responded in their half of the first inning, cutting the Michigan lead in half. With two outs, Soto belted her fourth home run of the season to trim the Wolverines edge to 2-1 after one inning of play.
With one swing of the bat in the top of the third inning, Michigan added a pair of runs. With two outs and a runner on first, Samantha Findlay sent a glow ball over the left field fence that was just fair to increase the UM lead to 4-1.
Once again the Cajuns responded in the bottom of the inning. Holly Tankersley (Kirbyville, Texas) led off the inning with a single through the left side of the infield. Courtney Trahan (Maurice, La.) entered the game to pinch run and moved into scoring position on a groundout by Soto. Bowers followed with an RBI single up the middle. She moved to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a groundout. Bowers would go no further as Michigan struck out the next Cajuns batter, but UL cut the deficit to just 4-2 after three complete.
The Wolverines used a second 2-run home run to increase their advantage to 6-2. With two outs and a runner on first base, Dorian Shaw hit a deep home run over the left field fence for Michigan’s second home run of the day.
For the first time in the game, the Ragin’ Cajuns failed to score following an inning that Michigan scored. Soto connected on a one-out single, but a strikeout and a ground out ended the inning. UL put together some good swings on the bat, leaving two home run distance balls just foul.
Michigan added the final run of the game in the sixth inning. A walk, ground out and Cajuns error helped plate the run and give the Wolverines a 7-2 edge, which would prove to be the final margin of victory.
The Lady Cajuns continue their road swing with three Sun Belt Conference games. The Cajuns travel to Bowling Green, Ky., to take on the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky in a three game series. The Cajuns and Toppers will square off in a doubleheader on Tuesday before concluding the series with a single game on Wednesday.
RaginCajuns.com
Chris Whitehead
Quote
Re: Michigan has Louisiana's number
