Cajuns Squeeze By Appalachian State, 4-3
Handsome Monica laid down a perfect suicide squeeze bunt in the bottom of the ninth inning to score pinch runner Jam Williams with the game winner as Louisiana defeated Appalachian State, 4-3, to win their weekend series.
"I like to walk up to our players and look at them as they answer my questions," head coach Tony Robichaux said. "I asked him (Monica) if he could get a bunt down if we put the squeeze on. He looked me in the eye and said 'yes sir.' I felt he could get the job done."
Kennon Fontenot led off the ninth with a sinking liner to left fielder Tyler Stroup, who made a diving attempt. But second base umpire Raymond Miller, who had gone into the outfield to see the play, ruled no catch and the ball went for a double. Brenn Conrad bunted Williams to third and Monica pushed a 1-0 pitch toward first base and Williams scored easily to the delight of the 4,888 fans at M. L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park.
Evan Guillory (1-2) pitched four perfect innings of relief to get the win. Guillory fanned seven of the twelve batters he faced as the two Cajun pitchers struck out 14 in the game.
Reed Howell, who got the save in App State's win on Saturday, took the loss to fall to 1-1 on the year. Howell allowed two hits and struck out two in 2.1 innings of work.
The Mountaineers (9-11, 1-2 Sun Belt) took the early lead with two unearned runs off starter Hogan Harris in the third on a two run single by Bryan Bauk. App State had loaded the bases with a leadoff walk, an error on a sacrifice bunt and a catcher's interference call. Bauk's single was the only hit of the inning.
Louisiana (11-6, 2-1) tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Ishmael Edwards singled with one out and scored on a two out bloop double by Steven Sensley. Alex Pinero then hit a ground rule double to right center to tie the game.
App State got the lead back in the fifth on a solo home run by Chandler Seagle, but the Cajuns tied the game in the sixth on a double by Pinero and an RBI single by Todd Lott.
Harris went the first five innings for the Cajuns, allowing five hits and three runs, one earned. He walked three and struck out seven. Starter Luke Watts went 5.2 innings for the Mountaineers, giving up six hits and three runs. He walked one and struck out nine.