Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns softball team clinched its’ third consecutive Sun Belt Regular Season Championship after posting two run-rule victories  against Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday afternoon at Lamson Park. It marks the Cajuns’ ninth regular season title in the past 10 seasons.

UL downed the Warhawks, 9-1, in five innings to open the day before cruising in the second contest 11-0 to improve to 38-15 on the year. In the Sun Belt, the Cajuns sit atop the conference with a 19-4 record.

Louisiana-Monroe is 21-24 on the season with an 8-14 mark in the league.

For the afternoon, UL outhit the Warhawks, 21-4.

GAME ONE

The Warhawks struck first in the opening frame. Brianna Love singled, stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice hit. She gave Louisiana-Monroe the early 1-0 lead, scoring on a sacrifice fly.

UL responded in its first at bat. Vallie Gaspard led off with a hit and moved to second on error after a fielder’s choice by Melissa Verde. Both runners advanced one base after a wild pitch. Then Christi Orgeron drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. The Warhawks finally got the first out of the inning, but Lana Bowers hit a two-RBI single in the next at bat to claim the lead. A hit by Nerissa Myers, reloaded the bags and a RBI-walk by Britni Soria tacked on the Cajuns’ third run. Kelly Cormier stretched UL’s lead to 5-1 with a single to centerfield before Louisiana-Monroe could end the inning.

Brittany Cuevas proceeded to sit down 11-straight Warhawks before allowing a single in the top of the fourth.

UL tacked on more runs in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Gabby Bridges drew a walk and moved to second on Orgeron’s second single of the afternoon. Two more runs crossed the plate on a single by Soria to take an 8-1 lead.

The Cajuns closed out the contest in the fifth inning with an RBI-single by Verde. Gaspard was able to score from second after reaching base on her third hit of the game.

Cuevas picked up 18^th win of the season. The senior allowed just two hits and struck out four with one walk allowed.

The Cajuns rattled off 11 hits with Gaspard going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Bowers and Myers were both 2-for-3 three with two runs scored. Bowers also had two RBI. Soria finished 1-for-3 with a game-high three RBI.

GAME TWO

The Cajuns were the first to light up the scoreboard in the second inning. A two-out, two-RBI single by Erikka Murphy scored Bridges and Myers who reached base on a walk and a hit, respectively. Kelly Cormier scored the Cajuns’ third run after pulling off a double steal with Murphy. Murphy crossed the plate after a base hit by Gaspard and an errant throw from ULM for the 4-0 lead.

UL blew the contest wide open in the third, scoring seven runs on six hits. All the runs scored with two outs on the board. Four players posted an RBI in the inning, including a RBI-triple from Orgeron.

Donna Bourgeois improved to a Sun Belt-best 20-9 on the season. The win was her 12^th league win and her seventh shutout this season. She struck out eight batters, walked one and allowed just two hits. 

Nine Cajuns recorded a hit with Murphy going 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBI. Soria, Orgeron, Verde and Gaspard also had RBI-hits.

The Cajuns will play their final game of the regular season and honor seven seniors on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled 12 p.m. CT at Lamson Park.