UL senior first baseman Matte Haack

 

The 11th-ranked Louisiana Ragin' Cajun softball team split a pair of games in their first day of play in the 2013 season on Saturday, defeating Lipscomb, 5-2, while falling to Iowa, 13-10, in the Hilton Houston Plaza Classic, in Houston, Texas.

In their first game, the Cajuns got a solo homer from shortstop Nerissa Myers in the first inning, then added three more runs in the second, highlighted by a two-run double by centerfielder Brianna Cherry, to defeat the Lipscomb Bisons, 5-2.

Myers and Cherry, along with left-fielder Shellie Landry and third baseman Natalie Fernandez each collected two hits apiece, as Louisiana outhit Lipscomb, 9-to-5.

Sophomore Jordan Wallace (1-0) picked up the win in the circle, pitching four innings, while giving up only three hits, and one run, while striking out eight, while freshman Victoria Brown picked up the save in her first collegiate outing, pitching the final three innings.

Ashley Anderson (0-1) suffered the loss for the Bisons, allowing four runs in only 1.1 innings of work.

In Louisiana's second game, Iowa jumped on UL starting pitcher Kristen Martinez early, as shortstop Megan Blank belted a three-run homer, giving the Hawkeyes a 3-0 lead.

Blank went on to drive in five runs, in a 14-hit Hawkeye attack, while scoring two runs in the process.

The Cajuns were able to bang out nine hits, and also drew 13 walks, along with two hit batters, but also stranded 13 base runners.

Senior catcher Sarah Draheim had two hits, including a homer in a losing cause, while senior first baseman Matte Haack also collected two hits, while driving home three runs.

Iowa stater Chelsea Lyon (2-0) picked up the win, while Martinez (0-1) suffered the loss.

With the win, Iowa improved to 3-1, while Louisiana fell to 1-1.

The Cajuns warp-up play in the tournament on Sunday, facing Iowa at 11:30 am.

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