Louisiana Softball manufactures comeback to secure series victory

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball team leaned on timely small-ball execution and a lockdown relief effort from Sage Hoover to rally past Coastal Carolina, 8-6, on Saturday, April 18 at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park, clinching a Sun Belt Conference series victory.

The win followed up Friday’s 12-4 (5 inn.) run-rule victory, moving Louisiana one step closer to its first SBC series sweep of the season. It also kept the Ragin’ Cajuns unbeaten (14-0) all-time at home against the Chanticleers.

Louisiana (24-22, 7-10 SBC) will look to complete the sweep in the series finale on Sunday, April 19.

Trailing 6-5 entering the bottom of the sixth, the Ragin’ Cajuns pieced together a decisive rally built on pressure and precision.

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Kennedy Marceaux drew a leadoff walk and advanced on a wild pitch before Mia Liscano put down a sacrifice bunt that forced a throwing error, allowing the tying run to score. Moments later, Liscano swiped third and Brooke Otto worked a walk, setting the table for Haley Hart, who dropped a perfectly placed squeeze bunt that brought home two runs and gave UL the lead for good.

The sequence highlighted Louisiana’s disciplined approach at the plate, using situational hitting, baserunning, and execution to manufacture runs.

Hoover made sure the comeback held.

Entering in the fifth inning after Coastal Carolina (22-25, 6-11 SBC) surged ahead on a three-run home run, Hoover steadied the game and silenced the Chanticleers’ bats. The right-hander delivered three scoreless innings, scattering four hits while striking out six to earn her second win in as many days.

Hoover retired six of the final seven batters she faced, including a three straight strikeouts to end the game.

Coastal opened the scoring in the first with a pair of sacrifice flies. The Ragin’ Cajuns plated four runs in the second inning behind a two-RBI double from Dayzja Williams and a two-run single from Otto for a 4-2 edge, then added another run in the fourth when Otto tripled and scored Liscano to make it 5-3.

Louisiana found itself trailing in the fifth inning, 6-5, after a three-run home run from Kaelin Cash reclaimed the lead for the visitors. As they did earlier, the Ragin’ Cajuns answered with another rally.