Leger Outduels Cunningham As Cajuns Shutout Chanticleers
CONWAY, S.C. — Junior left-hander Gunner Leger outdueled right-hander Alex Cunninham Friday night as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns baseball team shutout No. 26 Coastal Carolina 1-0 in the series opener at Springs Brooks Stadium.
"This is what a regional or super regional really looks like," head coach Tony Robichaux said. "Both arms are really good, and you have to match them with pitching and defense and that's what we did. Tonight was the epitome of pitching, defense and timely hitting. If Gunner doesn't do what he does, then the home run we got doesn't stand up."
Leger improved to 6-1 on the year limiting the Chanticleers to two singles in seven shutout innings. The Lake Charles, La., native allowed just two CCU baserunners to reach second base in the game striking out two and walking two in his sixth quality start of the year. Leger has now combined to post four shutouts this season.
"You can't give enough credit to Gunner," Robichaux said. "He comes out every night knowing he's going to face another arm with a two ERA. He's been the model of consistency for us and gives us a chance to win every time he takes the mound."
Wyatt Marks and Dylan Moore each tossed a perfect inning to complete the Cajuns sixth shutout of the year. Moore notched his seventh save in the appearance to move into a tie for the Sun belt lead with Marc Skinner of Troy.
Cunningham (4-1) was handed his first loss of the season despite allowing just one run on three hits in eight innings. The righty struck out 11 with one walk in the outing.
The Cajuns outhit the Chants 4-2 in the game with two of the four hits going for extra bases.
Left fielder Kennon Fontenot provided the only run of the game in the top of the second driving a 0-1 pitch from Cunningham over the fence in right field for a two-out, solo home run. The homer was the second of the year for Fontenot.
The Ragin' Cajuns threatened in the top of the third as catcher Handsome Monica reached third base with one out, but Cunningham got Brenn Conrad to pop into a fielder's choice and then struck out Joe Robbins to end the inning.
The Cajuns also had scoring chances in the sixth and ninth innings but came up empty both times.
The Louisiana pitching staff was stingy after the first two innings as Coastal Carolina had just three runners reach base in the final seven frames and didn't have a runner advance past first base.
Louisiana looks to extend its series win streak to 16 straight tomorrow in game two of the series with a 1 p.m. CT first pitch. Right-hander Nick Lee (4-3, 4.93 ERA) makes the start for the Cajuns, while the Chanticleers will start right-hander Jason Bilous (3-0, 4.72). Fans can listen to the contest on News Talk 96.5 KPEL-FM with Jay Walker and Jeff Schneider on the call.
"We've got to be prepared tomorrow," Robichaux said. "They are going to come out ready to play, and we are going to need to score some runs and have Nick stand up and do what he's capable of."
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Re: Leger Outduels Cunningham As Cajuns Shutout Chanticleers
