Late-inning wild pitch helps Bearkats beat Ragin’ Cajuns in series opener

LAFAYETTE – With two outs and bases loaded in the top of the 11th inning, a wild pitch scooted past Louisiana’s catcher giving Sam Houston State a 5-4 advantage which proved to be the winning run at M.L. ‘Tigue’ Moore Field at Russo Park on Friday night.

Louisiana (2-8) was the first team to strike in Friday’s contest thanks to a Brennan Breaux RBI double to left-center field which made the game 1-0 after the first inning. Breaux, who missed the last few games, was making his first start since Feb. 19 against Tulane.

The Ragin’ Cajuns tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning when Ben Fitzgerald roped a bases clearing double down the right field line to make the game 4-0.

Following the Cajuns’ big inning, Sam Houston State (6-2) was able to match Louisiana’s run production using a two-out

hit from Jack Rogers and a Louisiana throwing error to make the game, 4-4 in the fifth.

Even with the game going to extra innings, Louisiana only used two pitchers. Conor Angel had another terrific outing, but Connor Cooke was the bullpen arm that stole the show. Cooke (0-1) threw a career-high six innings, only gave up one run and fanned a career-high nine batters.

Multiple Louisiana hitters had great nights at the plate especially Sebastian Toro who kept finding his way on base going 3-for-5 and even throwing two guys out while working behind the plate.

The game came down to the 11th inning when the first Bearkat was walked and reigning Southland Conference Player of the Year Colton Cowser and Rogers were intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs. After Cooke threw a wild pitch, Sam Houston took the lead and closed out the game, 5-4.

Louisiana will toss Brandon Young in game two on Saturday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.

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