| | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | 1 | 2 | 3 | | 4 | 5 | | | | | R | H | E |
| Lady Cajuns | | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 1 | 2 | 1 | | 0 | | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Lady Techsters | | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0 | 0 | 1 | | 0 | | 1 | 4 | 0 | |
|
|
Junior ace hurler sets the school career record for strikeouts as No. 8 Louisiana extends its win streak to nine games
RUSTON - The word strikeout will be synonymous with Brooke Mitchell in the Louisiana softball record books.
With her fifth strikeout in the nightcap of a doubleheader with Louisiana Tech here Wednesday, Louisiana-Lafayette's Brooke Mitchell carved her name into the record books as the school's all-time career strikeouts leader.
The junior ace hurler and 2004 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year finalist caught La. Tech's Kristin Blodgette looking in the third inning for her 821st career strikeout - a tally which surpassed Kyla Hall's 820 strikeouts for first place on the career charts.
What's even more impressive is that Mitchell accomplished the feat as a junior and in 103 career appearances. Hall picked up her 820th strikeout as a senior and in her 132nd career outing.
The Pasadena, Texas, native now owns the school's single season and career strikeout marks.
Mitchell's record-setting night included seven strikeouts as she helped lead the eighth-ranked Ragin' Cajuns (37-4) to a 4-1 win and the doubleheader sweep of the Lady Techsters (18-24).
Earlier in the day, the Cajuns used a three-spot in the first inning and a 12-strikeout performance from Mitchell to notch an identical 4-1 victory.
The win in the nightcap increased the Cajuns winning streak to nine games and was the 13th straight victory over Louisiana Tech. It was Louisiana-Lafayette's sixth doubleheader sweep of the season.
Mitchell picked up her 31st victory of the season and tied Hall for third on the single-season victories list. It was also her 77th career triumph, passing Jennifer Clendenin into sole possession of fourth place in the career books.
Both Mitchell and La. Tech starter Kristin Rupp carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning.
Louisiana's Brittany Bryant put an end to Rupp's with a one-out double into the right center field gap that scored Ashley Evans from first for the first run of the game.
Evans reached on a fielder's choice grounder after Danyele Gomez led off the inning with a walk. Bryant collected the Cajuns first hit of the contest to give them a 1-0 lead.
Louisiana picked up more breathing room in the fifth inning on a two-run home run by freshman Holly Tankersley.
Junior shortstop Tiffany Hebert got the Cajuns rally started with one out. The Breaux Bridge native slapped a single into left field and stole second.
After Hillary Guidry struck out swinging for the second out, Tankersley crushed the Cajuns first home run of the twinbill to create a 3-0 margin. The home run was the Kirbyville, Texas, native's team-leading 12th of the season.
Tech broke up Mitchell's no-hit bid in the fifth inning when she blooped a single into shallow right field just over the reach of Bryant.
La. Tech would score an unearned run in the sixth when Webre attempted to throw out Casey Reiff at second base, but the throw went wild and danced into center field allowing Amber Miles to score an unearned run.
Louisiana-Lafayette ended its eight-game road swing and will now return home to face Sun Belt rival Florida International (22-23, 4-0 Sun Belt) in a pivotal four-game Sun Belt series at Ragin' Cajuns Softball Park. Both doubleheaders begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18.
LOUISIANA SI
Mitchell makes history in game 2 of Lady Cajuns sweep of LA Tech
Quote