MOBILE, Ala. - Louisiana’s Lady Cajuns softball team rebounded from a pair of losses with a 3-0 shutout victory against South Alabama on Saturday afternoon in Mobile, Ala.

Starting pitcher Brittany Cuevas went the distance scattering four hits in 7.0 innings of work. The junior picked up her second win of the season and first complete-game shutout of the year. Cuevas fanned eight batters on the day bringing her two-day total to 16 (10.0 total innings pitched).

Offensively, the Lady Cajuns collected just five hits on the day, led by freshman Erikka Murphy who posted a pair of base knocks. Murphy scored what would prove to be the game-winning run in the top of the third inning.

Fellow slap hitters Vallie Gaspard and Karli Hubbard each had base hits on the day and both Gaspard and Hubbard came around to score on Melissa Verde’s two-RBI single.

The Ragin’ Cajuns were the first team to score as they plated three runners in the top of the third inning. With one out, Murphy singled to get things started for the Cajuns. She stole second base to move into scoring position. Gaspard singled off of the USA third base man causing the ball to ricochet towards second base, allowing Murphy to score from second. Hubbard followed with a double to left center field to give UL runners in scoring position with one out. Verde came through with a two-RBI single to right center field to give Louisiana a 3-0 advantage.

The Cajuns threatened to add an insurance run in the top of the fifth inning. A lead off single by Murphy started the inning for UL. The speedy freshman stole second base and a sacrifice hit by Gaspard moved Murphy to third. However, Murphy would move no further as back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.

Neither team could generate any offensive in the final few innings and Cuevas and the UL defense secured the shutout.

The Ragin’ Cajuns waste little time before they hit the road again as they travel to Boca Raton, Fla. to take on the Owls of Florida Atlantic. The Cajuns and Owls will play a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 14 at 4:00 p.m. (CENTRAL). The two teams will finish off the three game series with a single game on Wednesday, April 15 at 1:00 p.m. (CENTRAL).

UL Press