UL – The Ragin’ Cajuns got back into winning ways on the diamond, taking an 11-5 decision over the Northwestern State Demons Wednesday night at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field. Luke Wagley threw five innings to pick up the win on the strength of his career-high eight strikeouts versus just four hits.
Wagley led the Cajuns back to a .500 record overall, at 12-12-1 so far in 2009. Matt Broussard started the game and lasted just 1 1/3 innings, allowing three hits to score four runs, though only one was earned.
Other Cajuns to take the mound included Blake Haagen (2/3 inning) and Gregory Harmon (1 inn), who each gave up one hit and no runs, and Justin Robichaux, who threw a perfect ninth inning.
On the flipside, the Demons used 10 pitchers in the game, five allowing runs to score.
Chad Keefer paced the Cajuns’ lineup with three RBIs on a 3-for-4 outing, including a sacrifice fly. Scott Hawkins was 2-for-3 on the night with two RBIs, but will have to wait at least until Friday to try for the team’s all-time career home run record again.
Travis Whipple (1-for-5) and Alex Fuselier (1-3, double) each drove in a run, while Kyle Olasin and Greg Fontenot each did their best to keep the bases occupied with 2-for-4 and 2-for-3 outings respectively. Olasin extended his team-long hitting streak to nine games.
Louisiana was the first to scratch the scoreboard, doing so in the bottom of the first inning. Back-to-back singles, delivered by Scott Hawkins and Travis Whipple, plated Matt Goulas who reached base on a one-out walk. Chad Keefer followed with a sacrifice fly to score Hawkins and make it 2-0.
NSU got Broussard into trouble in the second inning as the Demons loaded the bases with no outs following a single, double and hit by pitch. Broussard struck out Dominic Gamboa for the first out, but hit Tyler Baisley to force home the first NSU run.
Broussard was relieved by Blake Haagen. A failed pickoff attempt at second base scored Beau Snodgrass to even the score at 2-all. A Jordan Nipp sacrifice fly moved the Demons in front, 3-2.
Trailing 4-2, UL took advantage of an NSU error in its half of the second to draw back into a tie. Kyle Olasin laid down a sacrifice bunt with runners on first and second. The throw got away from Justin O’Neal at first base allowing Greg Fontenot to score UL’s third run of the evening.
The Ragin’ Cajuns tied the score on a grounder to short by Goulas.
Luke Wagley came in relief for the Cajuns and retired six of the first seven batters that he faced. Demons’ relievers Michael Ocampo and Carlos Maese matched Wagley’s efforts.
A two-out RBI single by Snodgrass in the top of the fifth allowed the Demons to scratch their first run off of Wagley and take a 5-4 edge. Louisiana drew even in the bottom of the inning, taking advantage of two NSU errors and a wild pitch.
Alex Fuselier advanced to third base on the wild pitch and Fontenot walked. After a pitching change, Broughton caught Fontenot leaning off first base. Before he was picked off, Fuselier managed to score giving Louisiana a 6-5 advantage.
UL broke the game open with a five-spot in the sixth inning. Hawkins and Keefer each delivered two-RBI singles. From then on, both lineups were quiet.
Louisiana now turns its attention to a Sun Belt Conference series with conference-leader Middle Tennessee this weekend at “Tigue” Moore Field. The series runs Friday-Sunday, April 3-5 and commences with the opener at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Saturday’s game will begin at 2 p.m., and will be televised on MyKLAF. The series wraps up Sunday with a 1 p.m., first pitch.
RaginCajuns.com
Back In Win Column: Ragin' Cajuns Down Northwestern
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Re: Back In Win Column: Ragin' Cajuns Down Northwestern
