Softball: UL beats Arizona in first game of Super Regional – photo gallery and videos

Kevin Foote, The Advertiser, May 24, 2014

This time, she admitted it at least.

With all the big home runs UL third baseman Samantha Walsh has hit during the stretch drive of the Ragin’ Cajuns softball season, she usually goes the direction that most hitters go.

This time, though, she had been given a reprieve of sorts, so there was no just hitting it hard somewhere.

Indeed, when the umpire ruled that a 3-2 pitch with two outs and a runner on in the first inning was dropped by Arizona catcher Chelsea Goodacre, Walsh was swinging for the fences on the next pitch and she connected with a long, two-run home run to center.

The effort gave the Cajuns the lead for good and No. 6 overall seed UL rode that momentum to a 5-3 win over Arizona in Game 1 of their Super Regional best-of-three series Friday at Lamson Park.

"That time I was (trying for home run)," Walsh laughed.

Click here for post-game interviews.

Walsh’s bomb ignited a Cajuns’ offense that scored five runs in the first three innings and then handed over the game to UL starter Christina Hamilton, who limited Arizona’s powerhouse offense to three runs and seven hits to move within one win over UL’s sixth all-time Women’s College World Series appearance.

Game two is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday with an if-necessary game three 45 after the conclusion of the first game.

The Cajuns haven’t lost back-to-back games this season.

"We don’t have a lot of time to celebrate," said senior second baseman Natalie Fernandez, who was on the UL team that beat Arizona State 6-0 in game one two years ago only to lose the final two games of that Super Regional.

"We have to be ready for a battle tomorrow."

Click here for UL softball celebrating Super Regional win.

Judging by her consistent performances down the stretch, the Cajuns (48-8-1) appear to be well-armed for the challenge.

Hamilton threw 119 pitches, allowing three runs (two earned), walked four and struck out four.

"She was spot on," UL coach Michael Lotief said. "Her command was good. She did a good job of moving the ball. She trusted her defense in key moments. When she gave up the big ball, she responded. It was a gutty performance.

"She did a good job of managing the game. She was just so mentally tough tonight."

The first inning was a bit scary for the fired-up Lamson Park crowd of 2,691. Hallie Wilson led off with a solo home run to right and then Kelsey Rodriguez lined a single to right. Katiyana Mauga later hit a fly ball just short of the wall, but Hamilton escaped with minimum damage.

"We knew they hit home runs," freshman centerfielder Hayley Hayden said. "We didn’t expect it to be the first batter, but Christina shut them down after that. She can back strong. We believe in Christina."

Any amount of momentum Arizona gained from that single tally was quickly lost in the bottom of the first inning. But, of course, it didn’t come without some dramatics.

After Hayden walked with one out, it appeared for a split second that Walsh had struck out, but it was ruled a foul tip. After a little discussion with the umpire, Walsh smashed the next pitch for a two-run home run to center for a 2-1 lead. Walsh finished the game 2-for-2 with the homer and two RBIs.

Arizona got two more runners on in the second, but didn’t score. The Cajuns made better use of their runners when Shelbi Redfearn and Kelsey Vincent walked and later scored on clutch, two-out RBI singles by Natalie Fernandez and Hayden for a 4-1 Cajun lead.

"At first, I was just going to try to lay it down," Fernandez said. "But after I saw the defense shift, I decided to swing."

The Cajuns’ offense continued to shine with another run in the third. Singles by Walsh and Redfearn set up the inning and after Vincent drew a walk to load the bases, Sara Corbello lined one deep to right for a sacrifice fly and a 5-1 Cajun lead.

"We had some really good at-bats tonight," Lotief said.

Much of that was being patient at the plate, accepting four walks from Arizona Estela Pinon and five from reliever Shelby Babcock.

"We didn’t really change our gameplan to be patient at the plate," Hayden said. "It just kind of happened. Everybody stayed true to the gameplan."

Things did get a little testy in the seventh. A throwing error on the lead-off batter preceded a two-run home run to center by Kellie Fox cut the lead to 5-3, but Hamilton bounced back with two strikeouts and a force out at second to end the threat.

"That was an awesome environment tonight," Lotief said. "Our fans were awesome tonight. They energized us. Our kids had a lot of poise. I’m proud of the fact that my kids are still in a good mindset. This is a best-of-three. There can’t be any celebration. It’s going to be a war tomorrow."