Softball: Brown latest UL pitcher to throw no-hitter

Kevin Foote, The Advertiser, February 28, 2016

 

Ragin Cajuns’ right-hander Victoria Brown winds up a pitch against the Alcorn Lady Braves in the fifth inning at Lamson Park Feb 28, 2016.(Photo: LEE CELANO/THE ADVERTISER)

 

 

It’s beginning to be a theme.

Time will tell if it’s actually the beginning of something bigger or not.

While it lasts, however, UL junior pitcher Victoria Brown was just glad to get in on the act.

Brown hurled the staff’s third no-hitter of the weekend – and was just one throwing error away from another five-inning perfect game – to lead the No. 6-ranked UL Ragin’ Cajuns to a 9-0 win over Alcorn State on Saturday in the final game of the Ragin’ Cajuns Invitational at Lamson Park.

"It’s always nice to get a start," Brown said. "It all kind of came together tonight. The no-hitter was nice, but really, it was a pitch-by-pitch team win today."

Brown struck out a career-high 10 batters with no walks.

"I definitely feel 100 percent," Brown said. "I feel better than I’ve ever felt. Every day in practice is a learning process. Something pops up and we work hard to fix it. It’s trial and error.

"But yes, I definitely believe I’m ready to contribute whenever they call on me. With the chemistry we have on this team, I believe any of the pitchers or hitters will find a way to get it done."

Brown’s performance culminated a weekend tournament where UL’s staff didn’t allow a single run.

"The having a staff thing is a step close to being a reality," UL coach Michael Lotief said. "They’ve all been working hard in the bullpen. In scrimmages, we see it in practice every day. What helps them to get to that next level is stepping out onto the field and doing it."

In addition to the pitchers growing in confidence, the other facet of the Cajuns (now 14-1) is the consistency in the lineup. Now facing a lot of pitchers wanting to challenge hitters this weekend, UL’s bats had to be patient and accept singles and doubles to center and field for much of the weekend.

"I prefer balls in those trees (to line singles to center)," Lotief laughed. "But it’s hard to hit balls out that are down and away. To be a good hitting team, you have to be able to make adjustments. This team has been tested up by (Oregon’s Cheridan) Hawkins and then we’ve faced some nibblers. I like the way they’ve been able to adjust."

The offense began humbly enough with a pair of sacrifice flies from Lexie Elkins and Kelsey Vincent in the first. The after Sara Corbello’s RBI single in the second and RBI single by DJ Sanders in the third, the Cajuns put it away with five runs in the fourth, topped by a two-run singles by Vincent and Sanders.

Sanders was 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs on the day, while Vincent added three RBIs as well.

"She is understanding," Lotief said of Sanders. "The scouting report on DJ is that she can’t hit down and away. Now she’s been able to make the adjustment. You won’t ever get that good hitters pitch if you can’t hit down and away."