www.ragincajuns.com – After taking care of South Alabama, 9-0, in five innings in game one on Saturday, Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns softball team needed a two-out, RBI-single from Vallie Gaspard to top the Jaguars, 4-3, in the nightcap.

After allowing the Jaguars to tie the game at 3-3 in the fourth inning, the ever-patient Cajuns came through in the seventh inning with hits from Sarah Drahiem, Kelly Cormier and Gaspard.

UL rattled off 19 hits between the two games. Christi Orgeron finished the doubleheader going 4-of-6 with three doubles, three RBI and two runs scored. Melissa Verde also had a bi day for the Cajuns with three hits, three RBI and one run scored on the afternoon.

The Cajuns improve to 27-14 and an 8-3 record in the Sun Belt with sweep. South Alabama drops to .500 on the season at 18-18 and a mark of 5-7 in the league.

GAME ONE

The Cajuns jumped out to fast start with the first three batters crossing the plate on three hits. Erikka Murphy led off with a walk and Verde singled through the left side. Murphy scored the Cajuns’ first run after a double off Orgeron that ricocheted off the centerfield wall. Verde and Orgeron scored after a blooper by Gabriele Bridges found its way through the right side.

UL was able to blow the lead wide open, 8-0, in the second inning. The first five Cajuns reached base and scored on four hits and two errors by the Jaguars. An infielder’s choice by Murphy allowed Myers to score after reaching on an error. Verde scored Gaspard with her second single of the afternoon. Orgeron smacked another double against the wall in left field for a RBI with Murphy reaching home. Verde and Orgeron scored after an error on the Jaguars.

All eight runs were scored with no outs on the scoreboard through the first two innings.

Murphy crossed the plate for the third time in as many innings on a sacrifice fly from Verde.

Cuevas (13-6) allowed just two hits in the run-rule win. She also struck out two and walked one batter. Only four Jaguars were able to reach base safely.

Orgeron, Verde and Bridges finished game one with two RBI each. Orgeron was 3-for-3 from the plate with three doubles.

GAME TWO

The Cajuns jumped out in front of USA in the second inning of game two. Bases-loaded singles by Gaspard and Melissa Verde scored the Cajuns’ first two run before a sacrifice fly by Orgeron scored Myers from third for the early 3-0 lead.

For the second straight inning, UL loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the third. But the Cajuns were unable to plate a single run after two force outs at home and pop-fly.

In the top of the fourth with one out and the bases loaded, Carolina Mendoza grounded out to second allowing USA’s first run to score. Back-to-back two-out, RBI-singles by Katie McGuire and Brittany Fowler pulled the Jaguars even with Cajuns, 3-3.

UL’s bats went cold in the fourth through inning after starting pitcher Katy Neal was replaced by game one starter Beth Pilgrim. Myers and Orgeron posted the only hits for UL in the three-inning stretch.

The Cajuns were able to place the winning run on third in the bottom of the seventh after one-out singles by Drahiem and Cormier. Jensen Tydelski two replaced Drahiem as a pinch runner and took third after a fielder’s choice by Myers. With two outs, Gaspard dropped a hit behind the Jaguars’ leftfielder, who was playing shallow.

As a team, UL scattered 11 hits in the contest.

Gaspard finished the game 2-for-2 with two RBI. Kelly Cormier was led all UL batters with three hits. Verde was 2-for-4 with a RBI.

Bourgeois improved to 14-8 on the season. She fanned five batters while allowing six hits and three walks.

The Cajuns and the Jaguars will wrap up the series tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT.