Saturday, March 30, 2002

Ragin Cajuns collect season high 16 hits in a 9-4 win over FIU

ouisiana-Lafayette (20-9, 4-1) handed No. 20 FIU (25-7, 2-3) their second consecutive loss with a 9-4 win on Saturday afternoon. The Ragin Cajuns scored five runs in the second and never looked back as they collected a season-high 16 hits and nine runs. Louisiana Lafayette's starter Andy Gros improved his record to 4-3 on the season recording his third complete game of the year. FIU starter Michael Baluja was credited with the loss pitching three innings and allowing seven runs while giving up a season high 12 hits.

The Ragin Cajuns opened the scoring with five runs in the second with seven hits sending 11 batters to the plate. Justin Bourque started the inning with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball. Phillip Hawke hit a RBI double scoring Bourque and Robert Shelton followed with another RBI double. Corey Coles knocked in Shelton a RBI single and Bryan Sneed brought in Doug Vicknair and Jason Wilson to give Louisiana-Lafayette the 5-0 lead.

The Golden Panthers closed the lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the second. Tommy Duenas singled and Alex Ansoleaga scored Duenas on a RBI single. Adam Summerell knocked in Skip Adams on a sacrifice fly.

In the fourth the Ragin Cajuns scored two runs as Coles singled and Sneed followed with his sixth home run of the year, a two-run shot to increase the lead for the Louisiana-Lafayette 7-2.

Bernie Gonzalez hit his seventh home run of the year, a solo shot to trim the lead to 7-3. In the sixth the Golden Panthers closed the lead to 7-4 on a Gonzalez RBI single.

In the seventh the Ragin Cajuns regained the two runs they lost as Dallas Morris hit a sacrifice fly scoring Bourque and Lloyd scored on a Carlos Sanchez wild pitch for the 9-4 score.

The two teams will conclude their three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 12pm. Donnie Bair will pitch for the Ragin Cajuns and freshman Derek DeCarlo (5-0, 3.44) will start for FIU.