Lady Cajuns win pair at Florida Int. in different ways

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Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns got the weekend off to a flying start on Saturday in Miami, sweeping Florida International in two vastly different contests in a crucial Sun Belt Conference softball series.

It took nine innings to end the first game, as UL star Brooke Mitchell outdueled Amanda Nealer 1-0, while the second contest was over almost as soon as it began as the Cajuns administered a 10-0, 5-inning whipping to the Panthers.

"The first game was a great game," UL coach Stefni Lotief said. "We were locked in and focused, played good defense and put a couple of good at-bats together. It was a team effort.

"Nealer always has a good outing against us. Every time she and Brooke go head-to-head, you get a great pitchers' duel."

Mitchell improved to 20-6, scattering six hits over nine innings while striking out 11 and issuing just two free passes. It's the fourth year in a row that Mitchell has achieved the 20-win plateau.

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Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

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Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns know how to take the suspense out of the Sun Belt Conference softball race.

The Cajuns beat Florida International twice on Sunday, 2-1 in the opener and 9-0 in a five-inning second game blowout, to complete a four-game weekend sweep of a team many considered the top contender to unseat UL in the league chase.

No. 14 Louisiana left Miami on Sunday with a 32-7 overall record and a perfect 8-0 mark in conference action, while the host Panthers limped back home with a 26-20, 4-4 mark.

"We made it a little interesting, but overall it was a good feeling," UL coach Stefni Lotief said. "I think this is the first time we've gotten a sweep down here. It was well-played the whole weekend."

In a game similar to Saturday's series start, Cajun All-American Brooke Mitchell bested FIU ace Amanda Nealer in a low-scoring battle. Mitchell struck out 11 batters and walked five in a two-hit outing, while Nealer gave up just four hits but was the hard-luck loser.

Tara Hamilton led off the UL third with a single up the left field line, advanced to third on a Tiffany Hebert double and scored on Jill Robertson's sacrifice fly.

In the fourth, Brittany Bryant lashed a triple to right center field and was plated by a Joy Webre sacrifice fly.

FIU's only run of the game and the weekend came on Jennifer Powell's solo home run to center field in the sixth. The Panthers then loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Mitchell struck out Cassie Parker to end the contest.

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Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com