Softball: Cuevas, Cajuns Shutout South Alabama

MOBILE, Ala.-Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns softball team rebounded from a pair of
losses with a 3-0 shutout victory against South Alabama on Saturday afternoon
in Mobile, Ala. 

Starting pitcher Brittany Cuevas went the distance scattering four hits in
7.0 innings of work.  The junior picked up her second win of the season and
first complete-game shutout of the year.  Cuevas fanned eight batters on the
day bringing her two-day total to 16 (10.0 total innings pitched). 

Offensively, the Ragin’ Cajuns collected just five hits on the day, led by
freshman Erikka Murphy who posted a pair of base knocks.  Murphy scored what
would prove to be the game-winning run in the top of the third inning. 

Fellow slap hitters Vallie Gaspard and Karli Hubbard each had base hits on
the day and both Gaspard and Hubbard came around to score on Melissa Verde’s
two-RBI single. 

The Ragin’ Cajuns were the first team to score as they plated three runners
in the top of the third inning.  With one out, Murphy singled to get things
started for the Cajuns.  She stole second base to move into scoring
position.  Gaspard singled off of the USA third base man causing the ball to
ricochet towards second base, allowing Murphy to score from second.  Hubbard
followed with a double to left center field to give UL runners in scoring
position with one out.  Verde came through with a two-RBI single to right
center field to give Louisiana a 3-0 advantage. 

The Cajuns threatened to add an insurance run in the top of the fifth
inning.  A lead off single by Murphy started the inning for UL.  The speedy
freshman stole second base and a sacrifice hit by Gaspard moved Murphy to
third.  However, Murphy would move no further as back-to-back strikeouts
ended the inning. 

Neither team could generate any offensive in the final few innings and Cuevas
and the UL defense secured the shutout. 

The Ragin’ Cajuns waste little time before they hit the road again as they
travel to Boca Raton, Fla. to take on the Owls of Florida Atlantic.  The
Cajuns and Owls will play a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 14 at 4:00 p.m.
(CENTRAL).  The two teams will finish off the three game series with a single
game on Wednesday, April 15 at 1:00 p.m. (CENTRAL). 

-www.RaginCajuns.com-

Chris Whitehead
Louisiana Sports Information
201 Reinhardt Drive
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 482-6329
www.RaginCajuns.com
whitehead@louisiana.edu