(Photo Courtesy of Louisiana-Lafayette Athletics)
LAFAYETTE, La. – Junior pitcher Jordan Wallace tossed a complete-game two-hit shutout to lead the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns softball team past Central Arkansas, 5-0 on Sunday at Lamson Park. The Cajuns improved to 6-3-1 on the season and 4-1 on the weekend, winning the 2014 Ragin’ Cajun Invitational.
Wallace tossed 7.0 innings, allowing two hits, while walking five and striking out a season-high eight batters. It was her second complete game of the weekend and first shutout of the season.
Sara Corbello got the scoring started with her second home run of the season, putting the Cajuns up 1-0 in the second inning. The sophomore sent a full count pitch to deep left center and into the bleachers.
Haley Hayden continued her productive weekend, driving in pinch runner Cassidy White for her 10th run in the last five games with a sacrifice fly in the top of the third inning to make it 2-0. Hayden finished the weekend batting .375 with 10 RBI, five runs scored and four home runs, earning tournament MVP kudos.
Fellow freshmen Sarah Arceneaux added to the lead in the top of the sixth with a pinch-hit homer, the first home run of her career, scoring pinch runner Meagan Thomas and extending the Cajuns lead to 4-0.
“Different kids keep stepping up for us,” head coach Michael Lotief said. “It’s fun to watch these kids get opportunities. Every day it seems like the game is giving different players and opportunity to step up.”
Corbello struck again in the top of the seventh, picking up her second RBI of the day, driving in pinch runner Leandra Maly with a sacrifice fly, making it 5-0. Corbello finished the game 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.
Senior infielder Natalie Fernandez posted her first three-hit game of the season, going 3-for-4 at the plate, improving her season batting average to .424 (14-for-33).
The Cajuns will take to the road for the next two weekends, first traveling to Clearwater, Fla., to take part in the 2014 NFCA Leadoff Classic. The Cajuns will open the tournament with Illinois State and James Madison on Friday, Hofstra and South Florida an Saturday and Rutgers on Sunday. First pitch for the Cajuns’ opener against Illinois State is scheduled for noon (EST), and will be broadcast on www.ESPN1420.com .
Tournament MVP – Haley Hayden
