Fifth-Inning Slugfest Lifts UL Over Purdue, 7-6.
HOUSTON, Texas - A six-run fifth inning lifted the Lady Cajuns softball team from a 1-4 deficit en route to a 7-6 win over Purdue on the final day of the Marriott Houston Invitational.
Erikka Murphy single-handedly kept the Boilmakers from scoring in the first inning. Purdue's Liane Horiuchi sent a deep ball to left field, but Murphy was able to make the catch over the fence to save the run.
But Purdue would score in the second inning on three hits and two errors by the Cajuns for a 3-0 lead.
Christi Orgeron would put the Cajuns on the board in the fourth inning with a one-out, solo home run to left field. It was the sophomore's fifth on the season and snapped a hitless streak that spanned 19 at bats.
Purdue would answer in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run of its own.
But the Cajuns wouldn't quit. Nerissa Myers and Vallie Gaspard would both draw a walk. With two outs, Melissa Verde would single through the right side, plating Myers. Britni Soria would follow with a double to shallow left center, scoring Gaspard and pinch runner Courtney Trahan to tie the contest at 4-4. Orgeron would give the Cajuns the go-ahead run after a double down the left line drove in Soria. Lana Bowers would clear the bases with a two-run shot over the left field wall, widening UL's margin to 7-4. The Cajuns scored all six runs with two outs on the board.
Purdue would make things interesting in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring two runs on one hit to cut the Cajuns' lead to 7-6.
In the seventh, the Boilermakers would threaten again after advancing a runner to second base after a single and a steal with one out. After a strikeout, Purdue would put the ball in play and Bowers would make an unassisted out at first, diving to the bag to beat out the runner.
Brittany Cuevas picked up the complete game win, improving to 5-0 on the year. She struck out seven while walking just two. She forced Purdue in to 10 ground outs on the day.
Orgeron would finish 2-for-4 and Bowers went 1-for-4 from the plate. Both finished with two RBI.
The Cajuns will return to action this coming Friday at NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. On the first day, UL will face Radford at 11:30 a.m. CT and No. 4 Michigan.
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