The 23rd-ranked Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball team dropped a doubleheader to Mississippi State at Nusz Park in Starkville, Mississippi on Tuesday, February 13 as the Bulldogs benefitted from quick starts both games.
The Bulldogs (6-0) plated three runs in the first inning of Game 1 for the first of four consecutive run-scoring frames in building a 9-1 (6 inn.) victory.
The Cajuns (4-3) parlayed a leadoff double from Sam Roe in the third inning into a run on the board trimming the MSU lead to 5-1. Later in the third UL had two on with one out before the Bulldogs turned a double play to avoid losing further ground.
MSU expanded the lead after the double play, capitalizing on a couple of miscues for two of the three runs that upped the advantage to 8-1 after four complete.
In Game 2, a two-run double in the first inning held up as the Bulldogs came away with a 2-1 win that completed the twinbill sweep.
After near misses at scoring earlier with a runner reaching scoring position in the third and fourth inning, Louisiana manufactured a run in the sixth inning set up by an Alexa Langeliers double.
MSU starting pitcher Josey Marron ended the sixth inning threat with a strikeout then retired the Cajuns in order in the seventh to wrap up the nightcap.
Langeliers was UL's top performer offensively, delivering three doubles on the day.
Sam Landry was charged with the loss in both games, however gave the Cajuns a chance at a comeback in Game 2 by closing with five consecutive scorless innings pitched. Landry struck out seven and scattered eight hits in the nightcap.
Louisiana was swept in a doubleheader for the first time since March 2022 vs. Texas at Lamson Park. The Bulldogs snapped a six-game losing streak in the series with the Cajuns.
Tuesday's doubleheader marked the first meeting between the two programs since February 2013 and was the first matchup in Starkville since May 1999.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
No. 23 Louisiana returns to Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park for a three-game series with No. 22 Baylor scheduled for Friday-Sunday, February 16-18. The series opens on Friday at 6:00 p.m.
All three games of the first-ever weekend series between the Ragin' Cajuns and Bears are set to air on ESPN+.