Two games, two wins in Russo Park. It's safe to say Ragin' Cajuns Baseball is breaking in their new home ballpark in style.

Louisiana picked up another win over Southern Miss on Saturday, ensuring a series win over a quality opponent to christen their new home. They had to fight all the way until the end, but they held off Southern Miss for a 5-4 win.

The middle of Louisiana's lineup came up big, providing four RBI, and Ishmael Edwards touched home plate three times. Tony Robichaux's squad is starting to catch their offensive stride, especially in the heart of the lineup.

The Golden Eagles jumped out to a three run lead in the first inning with a two-run homer and a little small ball, but Louisiana answered immediately with an RBI single from Alex Pinero in the bottom of the inning. Then, it was the Cajuns' turn to hang a crooked number on the board.

Todd Lott started things off in the third inning with an RBI single of his own, then he ended up scoring on a wild pitch. The freshman wasn't done yet though, as he picked up another RBI in the fifth inning with a double to bring Edwards home for the second time in the game. Lott later got rewarded by Steven Sensley, who brought him home with an RBI single to give Louisiana the 5-3 lead.

Southern Miss cut the lead to one run in the sixth inning with an RBI double, but then the Cajun relievers came in and slammed the door shut.

Jevin Huval was superb out of the bullpen. He threw three scoreless innnings, racking up five strikeouts, to setup Dylan Moore, who picked up his fourth save of the season in classic D-Mo fashion. Moore faced three batters, and he struck them all out.

Nick Lee picked up his third win of the season in the outing, but the relievers were the true stars on the mound. Once Coach Robe called to the bullpen, Southern Miss was done.

The other stars were the fans in the stands. For the second straight game, Louisiana cleared 5,000 in attendance (5,020 to be exact), and the Ragin' Cajuns are well on pace to set a new record for single series attendance at M.L. Tigue Moore Field. Fans are loving Russo Park, and the players are proving the feeling is mutual on the field.


Pinero has 14 hits in the last eight games, Lott has nine hits in his last six appearances and Steven Sensley has six in his last five. Combined, they have 17 of the team's 24 total RBI and nine of the 16 extra base hits. Murderer's row is coming to life, and pitchers are going to have to pick their poison with the three sluggers.

If the bats continue to heat up, the pitchers will cruise. It's been a fantastic opening weekend at Russo Park, and one more win on Sunday could be the cherry on top.

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