Softball: Saturday Shutout Locks Up Senior Weekend Series Win for No. 8 Louisiana
Louisiana extends win streak to 22 games and ties program record for conference wins
LAFAYETTE – It was a carbon copy performance for No. 8 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball on Saturday which led to an 8-0 (5 inn.) win over Coastal Carolina at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park.
For the second straight day, Louisiana (45-4, 23-0 Sun Belt) would collect all of the runs necessary for the win in its first few at bats as Gerry Glasco‘s squad plated four runs in both the first and second inning to distance themselves from Coastal Carolina (33-17, 11-12 Sun Belt).
Kourtney Gremillion delivered the big hit in the first inning with a two-run single which hopped over the reach of the Chanticleers first baseman and into right field extending the early edge to 3-0. The next inning, it was Alissa Dalton who started the march to the finish line with a two-run single of her own which jumpstarted a four-run, two-out rally that completed the scoring.
And just like Friday evening, Summer Ellyson kept the visitors at arm’s length away from her offense. The junior right-hander tossed no-hit softball the first three innings and kept CCU off the board after runners reached second and third with no outs in the fourth inning.
It was the 22nd consecutive win for Louisiana which also equaled the program record for conference wins (23) set by the 2017 team.
LEADING THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS
Gremillion matched her season-high RBI output as she provided offense on both of her base hits. Her infield single in the second inning scored Sarah Hudek and set up Dalton for a steal of home which put the lead at the run-rule margin.
Dalton’s two-hit effort (2-for-3, run, 2 RBI) included a bunt single in the first inning that loaded the bases and put runners in scoring position for Gremillion’s early strike.
Kelli Milligan (3-for-3, run, 2 SB) delivered a three-hit performance and was the catalyst for the game’s first run when she stole second, advanced to third on an error and scored on Raina O’Neal’s RBI single in the first inning.
Milligan wound up with two stolen bases to push her season total to 57 and move past Olivia Watkins of WKU (55 in 2014) for the Sun Belt Conference record.
Ellyson, who picked up seven more strikeouts to increase her series total to 19, combined with Carrie Boswell, who pitched a scoreless fifth inning, for the Ragin’ Cajuns 17th shutout of the season.
NOTEWORTHY
- Summer Ellyson increased her nation-leading win total to 32. She is now tied for fourth place on the program’s single-season chart with Ashley Brignac (2011) and Jordan Wallace (2013).
- Summer Ellyson increased her season strikeout total to 282, moving her within 18 strikeouts of reaching 300 for the first time in her career.
- Kourtney Gremillion matched her season-best run production recorded on March 9 at Texas State and April 10 vs. Southeastern Louisiana. She’s now one RBI shy of becoming the seventh Ragin’ Cajun with 30 RBI in 2019.
- Alissa Dalton posted her 11th multiple-hit game since March 20 and moved into a tie with Sarah Hudek and Julie Rawls for the team lead with 15 total this season.
- Keeli Milligan tallied her 14th multiple-hit game and reached the three-hit mark for the fourth time.
- Since March 31, Keeli Milligan is batting .500 (26-for-52) with 15 runs scored, 10 RBI and 22 stolen bases. She’s raised her average from .290 to her current .366 mark.
- Keeli Milligan’s current push bears a strong resemblance to her sophomore season at Texas A&M when she hit a team-best .382 after April 1 in helping lead the Aggies to the WCWS.
- Carrie Boswell delivered a second straight scoreless relief appearance. The sophomore righty posted a zero in the seventh inning on Wednesday at Louisiana Tech.
- The Ragin’ Cajuns scored in the first inning for the 25th time (out of 49 games) and improved to 41-1 when scoring the game’s first run.
- For the 38th time (out of 49 games) the pitching staff held the opposition to two runs or fewer.
- Louisiana remained unbeaten at Lamson Park against Coastal Carolina and increased its all-time series advantage to 7-1.
UP NEXT
The Ragin’ Cajuns conclude the series with the Chanticleers and play their final regular season home game on Sunday at 12 p.m. inside Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park. Senior Day festivities are set to begin at approximately 11:45 a.m.
Fans can view the game and Senior Day ceremony online at RaginCajuns.com/Watch or listen locally via Sports Radio ESPN 1420-AM and worldwide on the ESPN 1420 app.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Facebook (/RaginCajunsSB), Twitter (@RaginCajunsSB) and Instagram (@Louisiana.SB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Softball.