UL - Senior outfielder Nolan Gisclair (Marrero, La.) hit a career-high-tying two home runs, while driving in four runs to catapult the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns to a 9-2 win over Northwestern State Demons Tuesday at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field.

Louisiana (15-15) has now won nine of its last 12 games and moved to .500 for the first time since February. Northwestern State (17-12) lost its second straight contest to the Cajuns this season.

Matt Broussard (Breaux Bridge, La.) notched his first career victory, allowing one run on three hits in seven innings. Broussard (1-0) walked three, while striking out four.

Northwestern State’s Ryan Campbell (0-4) was touched for four runs on five hits in just two innings of work. J.C. Bredengerd also gave up four runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings of middle relief.

Gisclair tied career highs in hits (3), home runs (2) and RBI (4). Matt Hicks (Houston, Texas) went 2-for-4, while Tyler Benzel (Groveland, Fla.) went 2-for-3.

The Cajuns got four runs in the second inning thanks to a barrage of run-producing hits. Chance Harst (Lafayette, La.) led off with a single to center field and later advanced to second on a fielding error by Dylan Libadisos. Gisclair followed with a gigantic two-run blast to give the Cajuns a 2-0 lead.

William Long (Valrico, Fla.) added to the tally with a RBI single through the left side and Josh Logan (Magee, Miss.) ended the scoring with a RBI sacrifice fly for a 4-0 lead.

A second homer by Gisclair extended the Cajuns’ lead to 5-0 in the third inning.

Northwestern State earned the run back in the ensuing top half of the fourth when Libadisos ripped a RBI triple to the gap in right-center, 5-1.

The Cajuns answered with a three-run inning giving the hosts an insurmountable 8-1 lead in the fifth. Scott Hawkins (Collierville, Tenn.) opened the frenzy with a single through the left side and came around to score on Gisclair’s RBI single down the right field line. A throwing error by NSU catcher Anthony Jones permitted Harst to score the Cajuns’ second run. Thad Griffen (Lake Charles, La.) later drove in the third run on a RBI sacrifice fly for the seven-run cushion.

Louisiana added one more insurance run in the eighth inning and was holding an eight-run lead until the Demons plated their second run in the ninth before falling 9-2.

Louisiana returns to action Wednesday when the Ragin’ Cajuns visit the McNeese State Cowboys at Cowboy Diamond in Lake Charles. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

RaginCajuns.com

Chris Yandle