Softball: Cajuns extend streak with win over Oregon State + photo gallery

Nick Fontenot, The Advertiser, Feb. 15, 2018

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After Oregon State scored three runs in the fifth inning to pull within 8-4 of the Ragin’ Cajuns, Cajuns coach Gerry Glasco said he had no regrets in trying to give Summer Ellyson a chance to close the inning.

“I wanted Summer to finish the inning,” Glasco said. “I wanted her to get the last out. We have to let them grow up. We’re so young and one of the things we have to do is find that balance. Right now, we have to let them have the opportunity to finish, especially an inning like that.”

Glasco said Ellyson gave him everything he asked for, going 4 2/3 innings and striking out four. Kylee Jo Trahan came on to close the fifth inning and finished the game by giving up zero runs in 2 1/3, moving the Cajuns to 6-0 on the young season after a 9-4 win.

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“Summer did what I asked. She gave me four good innings,” Glasco said. “Then Kylee Jo came in and did exactly what we wanted it. This start is beyond all of my expectations and I am just living a dream.”

Oregon State opened the scoring in the second inning with a massive blast over the bleachers from Missy Nunes to put them up 1-0. The Cajuns then scored eight unanswered runs, including another massive home run — this time from Lexie Comeaux.

“Home runs are a big momentum builder,” Comeaux said. “Any time you hit a ball like that, it feels like you’re answering. It feels like you’re stomping on them. I’m glad I could get the momentum back for our team.”

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Comeaux’s first home run of the season came on a week where she said her swing was working for her and she was ready when she got the call.

“We have just been working a lot on my swing and on me being ready when I get called in,” Comeaux said. “Today I got called in and my swing has been feeling really good all week. There’s not really a secret. The pitcher provided a lot of power and that helps a lot when you make contact.”

Glasco said Comeaux’s home run did a lot for the momentum of the game.

“It is huge that we learn to answer,” Glasco said. “When you get down 1-0, 2-0, that’s like a bloody nose. Thats’s when the fight starts. We’re doing a really good job of answering. Then, once we get the lead, we want to extend it. I thought we did a good job with that tonight.”

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Glasco said he hasn’t even mentioned Florida at all before Thursday’s game ended. Glasco said the Oregon State game was critical and now, all attention turns to the No. 2-ranked Gators who are in town for a three-game series at Lamson Park beginning Saturday.

“I knew we had to win one game this week for sure,” Glasco said. “This was a game I wanted to win. If you don’t win this game, you don’t sleep well tonight. Now we won this one, we’ll have fun and compete our tails off against Florida. 

“Right now, there’s nothing to lose for me. I’m the luckiest coach in the world. We’ll try to get a game or two or three and we’ll grow as a team doing it. We’ll just roll the dice and go.”