Lady Cajuns Claim Seminole Challenge Title, Hold Off St. John’s 2-1
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Junior pitcher Brooke Mitchell again shut down another opponent at the Seminole Challenge. Mitchell threw a game-high 13 strikeouts in a 2-1 victory over St. John’s in the final day of competition here at the Seminole Softball Complex.
Brooke Mitchell struck out the side in the top of the first. She surrendered one hit to Christina Tucker in the top of the second, but settled down to force Loren Anguiano to fly out and Leigh Carlson to ground out to end the inning.
Freshman centerfielder Hillary Guidry was hit by a pitch from St. John’s starting pitcher Meghan Allman to lead off the first inning. Guidry then stole second, before Holly Tankersley drew a walk, to put two runners on early for the Cajuns. Guidry later advanced to third on a passed ball. A bloop single by Gomez plated Guidry, advancing Tankersley to second. Tankersley later scored on Crystal George ground out to give the Cajuns a 2-0 lead after one.
Joy Webre and Tiffany Hebert each had a single in the bottom of the second inning, but the Cajuns were unable to capitalize, keeping a 2-0 advantage after two complete.
In the circle, Mitchell kept the Red Storm at bay, allowing only four hits over the last five innings.
Gomez popped up to second to begin the bottom of the third for the Cajuns. Ashley Evans walked in the next at-bat, but was thrown out at second on a George fielder’s choice. Brittany Bryant popped out to second to end the inning.
Allman retired Lacey Bertucci and Webre in the bottom of the fourth before Hebert drew a two-out walk. Hebert was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning.
In the top of the seventh, Anguiano took Mitchell’s first pitch over the left field wall for her first career home run, cutting the Cajuns lead to 2-1. The home run was only the third Mitchell has given up all year and second of the tournament. Mitchell then struck out Carlson before walking Jessica Marical for the possible tying run. Pinch hitter Brittany Crouch laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Marical to second.
Mitchell fanned Katie Watson to end the game for the Cajuns.
Allman allowed 11 base runners in the game, surrendering only four hits. She also walked five Cajuns and plunked two more.
Louisiana’s Lady Cajuns will enjoy a week off, before taking the field against Texas State-San Marcos in a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Ragin’ Cajuns Softball Park.
LOUISIANA SI
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