Louisiana softball was looking to bounce back after suffering a shutout loss to the Ole Miss Rebels at home. This past weekend, they hosted the Ragin’ Cajuns Invitational II, where the Cajuns would go undefeated.
The first game was against the 9-3 Houston Cougars. The entire game was a dogfight with no team being able to fully take control.
In the first two innings, it was the Cajuns creating strong momentum. Pitcher Mallory Wheeler caught fire at the mound, not allowing a single hit.
Offensively, it was the dynamic duo of Emily Smith and Cecilia Vasquez lighting up the plate. They punched in back-to-back homers in the first to set the tone.
In the second, it was slap-hitter Kayla Falterman mustering up an RBI single to second base. After a couple series of walks, the Cajuns found themselves with bases loaded with two outs.
The energy at Lamson Park was at an all-time high at this point with a chance to go up even bigger. Unfortunately, Vasquez would get out at third base unassisted, halting the Cajuns’ potential 6-0 lead.
The level of disappointment in the park was like waiting all day for a Shamrock shake at McDonald’s, just for the ice cream machine to be broken. But it was too cold for that anyway. The Cajuns wanted more and wouldn’t let an opportunity like that slip again.
But before that, the Cougars had to make their presence felt with a strong fourth inning bringing in five runs on five hits. Bethany Noble subbed in at pitcher mid-way through the inning as Wheeler began to stall out.
That wouldn’t stop the Cougars from securing a three-run homer to take the lead (6-3). It wasn’t looking good for the Cajuns. Some fans were clearly disgruntled and worried. Kids weren’t running around anymore.
An old man had his head down in a bag of popcorn for at least 20 minutes. Well no, he was probably just asleep.
But, the Cajuns were not out of this fight. The sad atmosphere quickly cleared as they responded at the bottom of the fourth. The Cajuns were at the top of the order where our best hitters continued to have a day. Falterman and Smith had consecutive singles with Vasquez cleaning it up with an RBI.
Roe tacked on another RBI bringing in Smith for a run, and Vasquez advanced home on a throwing error on the same play. The Cajuns were in need of a rebuttal, and the girls continued to make play after play at bat.
With the score tied 6-6 heading into the fifth, it was the defense that stood strong the rest of the way. It was very kind of Noble to give the Cougars that three-run homer in the fourth because it would be the last thing they celebrated for.
In the final three innings, she had five strikeouts and only allowed two hits in the sixth and seventh. The elite defense of the Cajuns paved the way for the offense to take it home in the bottom of the seventh.
Mia Liscano led off with a single to second base. Then before we knew it, after a series of walks, it was Vasquez back at bat with bases loaded and one out.
She was already having herself a day swinging the bat, and I know Cougar fans wanted to turn the game off just seeing her step up to the plate. There are three things in life that are certain: death, taxes and Vasquez bringing one home.
She would tie the game 7-7 with her RBI, bringing in Liscano. Up to bat, with the entire world on her shoulders, it was lefty outfielder Laney Credeur. Her entire at-bat felt like five hours of nail-biting torture.
It got to a full count with the suspense at its peak. Time began to move in slow-motion for Credeur. At this moment, she completely embodied the cold, windy environment around her. The ice in her veins was on full display as the next pitch would be the final play of the game.
In the clutch, it was Credeur sending a line-drive RBI single up the middle to win the game (8-7).
The field erupted in cheer, even the old man with the popcorn was up clapping.
Our leading batters were Smith (3-4, HR, RBI), Vasquez (2-4, HR, 3 RBI) and Credeur (2-2, double, RBI).
Liscano and Falterman each had two hits making it five players with multiple hits.
Although it was a close game, we dominated at the plate with 13 total hits and no strikeouts.
The second game of the invitational was against the Kansas City Kangaroos. Due to the weather, it was shortened to six innings. The Cajuns would make easy work of the Kangaroos (9-2).
The series against Houston that was scheduled for Feb. 23 was cancelled because of the continuous rain.
Louisiana’s next game will be against Rutgers on Feb. 28 at Jane B. Moore Field in Auburn, Alabama.