Softball: Round One Between Top Ranked Teams in Louisiana Ends in Tigers’™ Favor

No. 7 Louisiana and No. 11 Louisiana State to meet once more on Saturday in Baton Rouge

LAFAYETTE – No. 7 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball was dealt its first loss of the season as Maribeth Gorsuch worked seven scoreless innings to lead No. 11 Louisiana State to a 4-0 win on Thursday at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park.
 
The Tigers (8-3) struck early with an RBI double from Taylor Pleasants and later added insurance runs in their final three at bats to break free from a pitcher’s duel between Summer Ellyson and Gorsuch.
 
After the first-inning tally, Ellyson would retire nine straight Tigers batters to keep Louisiana (6-1) on the doorstep of potentially overcoming the early deficit.
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns had a pair of threats in the back half of the contest. Both times Gorsuch found a way out of the jam.
 
Justice Milz drove an infield single to shortstop to advance Ciara Bryan (walk) to third base in the fourth inning. Gorsuch induced a ground out back to the circle to end the inning and maintain a 1-0 lead.
 
In the sixth inning Louisiana had two runners on with no outs following a bunt single by Kaitlyn Alderink and an errant throw to second base on an ensuing fielder’s choice grounder. Back-to-back fly outs turned the tide back in the Tigers favor before a ground ball led to the final out.
 
Thursday’s matchup marked the start of a crossover tournament that the two teams are co-hosting. They’ll meet again on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Baton Rouge live on SEC Network Plus.
 
DIAMOND NOTES

• Louisiana had a 10-game win streak, which dated back to 2020, snapped with the loss.
• Justice Milz stretched her hitting streak to four games with the single in the fourth inning.
• With the walk in the fourth inning, Ciara Bryan has now reached base in all seven games.
• The Tigers’ tally in the first inning marked only the second time that Louisiana yielded a run in the opposition’s first at bat through seven games.

UP NEXT
No. 7 Louisiana continues play in the Louisiana State Crossover tournament – and competes for the fourth straight day – on Friday hosting Buffalo in a 4 p.m. doubleheader at Lamson Park.