The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball team swept play on Day 1 of the LSU Purple and Gold Challenge at Tiger Park in Baton Rouge as the offense backed up strong pitching performances.

Louisiana (8-4) broke a scoreless deadlock with runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings and rode a complete-game shutout from Bethaney Noble to a 4-0 victory over Howard (6-4) to start the day.

Noble (2-0) scattered six hits, struck out four and walked only one in a 99-pitch effort for her second shutout in as many starts on the young season. She's now opened her senior season with 12 consecutive scoreless innings pitched.

The Ragin' Cajuns took a 1-0 lead in the fourth after Dayzja Williams tripled to left-center to open the inning and later scored on Lily Knox's groundout. The Ragin' Cajuns added a run in the fifth on Brooke Otto's pinch-hit RBI single.

Louisiana capitalized on a Howard error in the sixth to plate two unearned runs, providing Noble with additional breathing room for the final frame.