Brignac Throws No-Hitter, Cajuns Win Two
The 15th ranked Ragin' Cajuns used two shutout pitching performances to win two games on day two at the Cowgirl Classic in Lake Charles. Ashley Brignac threw a no-hitter in game two while Shelbee Rodgers threw a complete game shutout of her own in game one.
Christi Orgeron hit safely in both games, extending her team-best hitting streak to 14 games. The Cajuns as a team pounded out 18 hits on the day while giving up just two.
GAME ONE
Shelbee Rodgers threw her third complete-game shutout in five career starts as the Cajuns defeated Grambling State, 7-0, in their first game of the day at the Cowgirl Classic.
Rodgers (5-0) fanned eight while giving up just two hits and two walks. At one point in the middle of the game, the freshman right hander retired 12 straight Grambling (5-3) batters.
Five different Cajuns had multiple hits as UL had 14 base knocks as a team. Sarah Draheim and Jennifer Martin - in her first career start - each had three hits. Nerissa Myers, Christi Orgeron and Erikka Murphy all had two hits. Orgeron posted two RBI.
The Cajuns bats would come to life in the second inning as UL struck for five hits, however they left the bases loaded and scored just two runs. Three straight singles by Draheim, Martin and Paige Cormier loaded the bases, allowing Murphy to pick up an RBI single.
Myers added a sacrifice fly to give UL a 2-0 lead after two innings.
Myers would produce the Cajuns' third run thanks to a fourth inning triple, on which the Tigers center fielder mishandled the relay throw, allowing Myers to score on the play, giving the Cajuns a 3-0 lead.
Orgeron would lead off the fourth inning with her second home run in as many games as she hit a bomb over the scoreboard in left field, giving the Cajuns a 4-0 lead. A single by Draheim followed by a double to the right center gap by Martin extended the lead to 5-0.
UL would tack on their final two runs in the sixth inning, thanks to three singles by Murphy, Myers and Draheim and a Grambling error.
GAME TWO
The Cajuns used five hits and another stellar pitching performance to defeat the host McNeese State Cowgirls in their second game of the day at the Cowgirl Classic by a final score of 4-0.
Ashley Brignac (5-0) threw her fifth career no-hitter as she went the distance striking out seven; allowing just three base runners.
After two scoreless innings, the visiting Cajuns got on the board first in the third, plating three runs thanks to three hits. Megan Granger and Katie Smith led off the inning with singles, and both scored on a Myers double down the left field line.
After Murphy reached on a fielder's choice in which both runners were safe, a double play erased Murphy and sent Myers to third base. Gabriele Bridges then drew a walk, allowing Jensen Tydelski to come on as a pinch runner.
With Tydelski on first base and Myers on third with two down, the Cajuns called a double steal in which Myers beat out the throw back to the plate, giving UL a 3-0 lead.
Orgeron extended her team-high hitting streak to 14 games with a one out triple in the fifth inning; however pinch runner Natalie Fernandez was left stranded as the Cajuns failed to score.
UL would add one more run in the sixth inning when a single by Cormier, followed by two walks loaded the bases with one out. A McNeese State error on a ground ball allowed the Cajuns to plate one run and extend their lead to 4-0.
Brignac retired the side in the seventh inning, but not without help from Granger who made a diving stop on a ball in the hole between herself and Myers at shortstop.
The Cajuns will close out the Cowgirl Classic tomorrow when they take on Houston Baptist at 2:00 p.m. in Lake Charles.
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