Need Extra Innings to Defeat Cajuns 4-3

April 13, 2004

LAKE CHARLES-Ryan Core’s opposite-way, solo homerun in the top of the ninth tied the game 3-3, but Shawn Yarbrough’s RBI double in the bottom of the 11th inning gave McNeese State a 4-3 extra-inning victory Tuesday night here at Cowboy Diamond.

Patrick Green (1-1) got the loss for the Cajuns and Louisiana (22-10) starting pitcher Brandt Sanders got the no decision. Chris Denton (4-4) got the win for Cowboys (17-19), pitching two innings of relief.

Sanders had a perfect game through six innings, facing the minimum 18 batters. He then allowed a lead-off walk in the seventh and back-to-back-to-back doubles, giving the Cowboys a 3-2 lead.

To lead off the first inning, Justin Merendino flied out to left field, then former McNeese State and current Cajuns outfielder struck out looking for the second out.

Senior shortstop Justin Bourque extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a first-pitch single up the middle. The Cajuns leading hitter, Dallas Morris, was hit by a pitch, giving the Cajuns two base runners.

Rhett Buras struck out swinging to end the top of the first inning.

In the bottom of the first, starting pitcher Brandt Sanders retired the Cowboys in order. Sanders struck out Dustin Smith and Brian Bernhardt. Then, Chris Fontenot grounded out to Bourque for the third out. From there, Sanders would retire 18 batters before allowing back-to-back-to-back doubles in the seventh inning.

In the top of the second, McNeese State starting pitcher John Doerfler retired the Cajuns side in order. Core fouled out to left field and Jason Rodriguez grounded out to first base.

Freshman and St. Thomas More alum Jefferies Tatford made his third start of the season, hitting as the designated hitter. Tatford flied out to left field to end the inning.

With two outs in the top of the third, Landry extended his hitting streak to nine games with a single through the right side of the infield. Bourque flied out to left field to end the top half of the inning.

Doerfler retired the Cajuns in order to keep the game scoreless into the bottom of the fourth inning.

Jason Rodriguez, starting at right field in place of an injured Kevin Preau, drew a lead-off walk to begin the fifth inning. Tatford struck out for the first out and Rodriguez was called out because of batter’s inference. With two outs in the inning, Leonard Guerrero grounded out to second to end the inning.

Senior Brad Saloom replaced Merendino at second base in the fifth inning and led off the sixth inning with a single to center field. Landry followed up with a single to center to give the Cajuns two runners with nobody out. Bourque then successfully laid a sacrifice bunt down, advancing Saloom and Landry in scoring position.

Reigning Sun Belt Conference Hitter of the Week Dallas Morris proved clutch with a two-run double to left field, plating Saloom and Landry to give the Cajuns a 2-0 lead.

Batting in place of Buras, Phillip Hawke had a batter’s count of 3-0 before Doerfler struck him out for the second out of the inning. Core flied out to left to end the Cajuns’ half of the sixth.

Sanders’ bid for a perfect game extended through the sixth inning after retiring the Cowboys in order.

Rodriguez led the seventh inning with another lead-off walk. Tatford bunted to third, but reached base on a throw by Dustin Smith that drew Brian Bernhardt off the bag at first. Rodriguez was then thrown out trying to advance to third. Guerrero reached on a fielding error by Smith. Saloom then reached on a fielder’s choice, advancing Tatford to third. Guerrero was out at second on the play.

Left-handed pitcher Danny Smith relieved Jacob Marceaux after two-thirds of an inning. Smith struck out Landry to end the Cajuns’ half of the frame.

Sanders’ bid to become the first Cajuns’ pitcher in school history to pitch a perfect game was spoiled with a lead-off walk by Dustin Smith. Bernhardt then ended his chance for a no-hitter with a double to right field. Chris Fontenot followed up with an RBI double off the top of the right field wall, scoring Smith. Lastrapes followed with a two-run double, giving the Cowboys a 3-2 lead.

Senior transfer pitcher Patrick Green relieved Sanders after he surrendered three straight doubles. Green got himself out of Sanders’ jam, retiring the Cowboys side.

Bourque and Micah Cockrell both flied out to center; Hawke was thrown out on a short chopper in front of the plate to end the inning for the Cajuns.

In the bottom of the 11th inning, Lastrapes led off with a walk and later advanced to second on a bunt by Owen Clanton. Ross Blankenship pinch ran for Lastrapes. Broussard struck out for the second out before Yarbrough’s RBI double plated Blankenship.

Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns will return to Sun Belt Conference play this weekend when they travel to Little Rock, Ark., to face Arkansas-Little Rock in a three-game series.

UL Sports Information Release