Softball: Stewart’s No-Hitter Highlights Day One in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE – Alex Stewart pitched the third NCAA postseason no-hitter in Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball history in a 6-0 win over McNeese on Friday at Tiger Park in the opening round of the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional.
 
With the win, No. 14 Louisiana (46-6) advanced to the 12 p.m. winner’s bracket final contest on Saturday to face the LSU-Fairfield winner.
 
Stewart (26-3, 1.57 ERA), who pitched shutout softball for the seventh time in the past eight starts, retired the Cowgirls in order four times and struck out six in collecting her first career no-hitter. She joins Cheryl Longeway (1995 vs. Michigan at WCWS) and Brooke Mitchell (2003 vs. San Diego State at Cal State Fullerton Regional) in achieving the feat in the NCAA Tournament.
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns outfielders made three critical catches to help Stewart secure the no-hitter. Aleah Craighton robbed Morgan Catron of a would-be home run in the second inning, then in the sixth inning Kelli Martinez and Haley Hayden made diving catches on shallow fly balls.
 
"That no-hitter is a credit to my teammates," Stewart said postgame reflecting on the performance. "They took away hits with fantastic Top 10 plays. I just can’t say enough about my defense."
 
It was a scoreless, hitless affair between the Ragin’ Cajuns and Cowgirls through the first 3-1/2 innings of play. Craighton recorded the game’s first hit with a single to lead off the bottom of the 4th and the tie was broken three batters later when Corin Voinchè doubled down the left field line for a 2-0 lead.
 
"First round games are always a war," Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball head coach Michael Lotief said. "I’m proud of my kids and proud of the way they competed. Alex battled, gutted it out and her teammates played well behind her.
 
Louisiana was able to create breathing room for Stewart in the fifth inning. Hayden singled into right field where the ball was misplayed, the Cowgirls second error of the frame, allowing Kara Gremillion (fielder’s choice) and DJ Sanders (fielding error) to cross home plate and extend the lead to 4-0.
 
Hayden later scored in the fifth on a Lexie Comeaux ground out and Martinez scored on a wild pitch in the sixth inning to complete the scoring.
 
Stewart worked around a leadoff hit by pitch and two-out walk in the seventh to preserve the shutout and etch her name in the Ragin’ Cajuns history book.
 
DIAMOND NOTES
– Louisiana began its 19th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Softball Tournament and 27th overall in the past 28 years.
– The Ragin’ Cajuns and Cowgirls met in the NCAA Softball Tournament for the first time since the 1994 NCAA Lafayette Regional.
– Louisiana won its opening contest in the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight season. The program improved to 60-32 in the regional round which includes a 26-5 mark dating back to 2008.
– Louisiana’s all-time NCAA Softball Tournament record improved to 72-55.
– Alex Stewart extended her personal winning streak to 19 games. She’s been undefeated in the circle since falling on March 9 vs. Baylor at Lamson Park.
– Louisiana extended its winning streak to 14 games and h now won 29 of the past 30 games since last losing a game of regulation length on March 9 vs. Baylor.