The University of Louisiana at Lafayette put its game with Nicholls out of reach with a five-run sixth inning, but the defense of the Ragin’ Cajuns and mistakes by the Lady Colonels played a role in the 8-2 outcome throughout the game.
UL-Lafayette turned three double plays and back-picked a runner at first base. Meanwhile, Nicholls committed three defensive errors Tuesday night at Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park.
“That was our point of emphasis all this year, last fall,” Ragin’ Cajuns coach Gerry Glasco. “Last year, we turned 12 double-plays. The year before that, we turned 13. That was our 12th or 13th double-play this year. Then the back-pick on the trail runner. We’ve been working on that over and over and over for the out. It’s a designed play. It worked perfect.”
“The double-plays killed us,” Nicholls coach Justin Lewis said. “There were three, and the back-pick. I told the team; it was a self-inflicted loss. Until we get tired of being mediocre when they’re not talent-wise, that stuff is going to keep happening.”
There also was the awe factor, said Lewis, which continues to affect his squad.
“Until they get tired of moments being too big for them and not living up to their potential, that’s going to keep happening,” the Nicholls coach said.
The Cajuns may be in the Sun Belt Conference but play a schedule to be able to play the RPI game when it comes to contending for postseason positioning.
That has led to a brutal schedule and a misleading record.
The win over Nicholls moved the Ragin’ Cajuns to 8-9 on the season. Among the teams they already have played include nationally ranked teams such as Baylor, Stanford, and Texas. They are coming off two losses to Texas and another to Stanford at the recent Lone Star State Invitational.
Up next for the Cajuns is a series at the University of Oklahoma.
“We got to play those real good teams to get (higher RPI numbers), but I love playing Louisiana schools. Coach Justin, I really admire him. He’s done a phenomenal job here building this program and getting better athletes. You can see the improvement in the program. I want to come down and support him and it’s a privilege to come down and play him,” said Glasco.
ULL struck early. After Paden, the Nicholls starter, got two quick outs in the top of the first inning, she walked Laney Credeur. Sam Roe hit a home run to left field, giving the Ragin’ Cajuns a 2-0 lead.
Nicholls (11-8) answered in the third inning on a solo home run by Gabby Higbee.
After the Cajuns added a run in the fourth inning, they erupted for five in the sixth, scoring all of their runs with two outs.
A double by Victoria Valdez drove in the first two runs of the inning. A single by Cecilia Vazquez made the score 6-1.
Mihyia Davis, who led the nation in stolen bases a year ago as a freshman, singled off new Nicholls pitcher Molly Yoo. Maddie Hayden followed with a base hit up the middle. Davis advanced to third on the play and scored when Higbee, the Lady Colonel center fielder, mishandled the ball, making the score 8-1.
Although there was a strong wind blowing out to right field, most of the damage by the Ragin’ Cajuns hitters were liners to left field.
“A lot of it had to do with our pitch calling. We were throwing in on purpose, and that’s where Averi’s had some success. If you don’t get it in, they turn them around. We’ve got to be able to execute our spots. Execution is the game of this game. When we’re good, we execute. When we don’t, our execution goes down the toilet,” said Lewis.
Nicholls scored the game’s final run on a run-scoring single by Reagan Helfin in the bottom of the sixth. The run came with only one out, but the Ragin’ Cajuns turned their third double play to end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Alexa Poche hit a shot to the deepest part of the park in center field off of relief pitcher Denali Loecker. Davis, the center fielder, reached above the top of the fence to come up with the grab to rob Poche of a home run.
Loecker got two ground outs to end the game.
Ragin’ Cajuns pitcher Sam Landry (3-5), got the win, allowing two runs on five hits, with strikeouts in six innings.
Paden (3-1) suffered her first loss of the season. She allowed seven runs on nine hits and one walk, while striking out three batters in 5 2/3 innings.
The Ragin’ Cajuns pounded out 11 hits in the game.