No. 4 Sooners down Ragin’ Cajuns in first matchup of weekend

11th-ranked Louisiana and the fourth-ranked Sooners meet again Saturday afternoon

NORMAN, Okla. – No. 4 Oklahoma claimed the first matchup with No. 11 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball at the OU Courtyard Marriott Tournament posting a 9-1 (5 inn.) win on a frigid Friday evening at Marita Hynes Field.

The homestanding Sooners (15-2) scored multiple runs in each of their first three at bats, building a 7-1 advantage, to gain separation from the Ragin’ Cajuns (15-3).

The result gave Louisiana a split on the opening day of the OU Courtyard Marriott Tournament. With anticipated colder conditions and inclement weather forecasted for Saturday the scheduled games for 11th-ranked Louisiana have been cancelled.

The Ragin’ Cajuns were scheduled to play rematches with both No. 23 Oregon State and No. 4 Oklahoma on the final day of the tournament.

Louisiana finished 1-1 in the tournament, splitting games with the Beavers and Sooners on Friday. The tournament marked the final non-conference weekend of the 2019 season.

UP NEXT
No. 11 Louisiana begins Sun Belt Conference play next weekend in San Marcos, Texas with a three-game series at Texas State. The Ragin’ Cajuns and Bobcats are scheduled to play single games Friday-Sunday, March 8-10 at Bobcat Softball Stadium.

Following the Texas State series, the Ragin’ Cajuns return home to Lamson Park on Monday, March 11 to host nationally ranked Baylor in a 6 p.m. contest.

Earlier in the day the Ragin’ Cajuns took an 8-0 (5 inn.) decision over No. 23 Oregon State in the opening game of the tournament behind five shutout innings from Summer Ellyson and a four-RBI effort from Julie Rawls.

LEADING THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS
Sarah Hudek delivered a solo home run in the second inning to answer a two-run tally by the Sooners in the first inning. Hudek finished 2-for-2 in the game, picking up her second multi-hit game and upping her day’s total to 5-for-5.

Raina O’Neal doubled into the right center gap in the fifth inning. It marked the fifth double of the day for Ragin’ Cajuns hitters.

Bailey Curry and Keeli Milligan each extended their current hitting streak to three games. Curry jumpstarted a fourth inning threat with a sharp single off the right field wall, the first of back-to-back hits which placed runners at second and third base.

Alison Deville delivered the strongest of the relief efforts in the pitching circle, retiring the first four OU batters that she faced which included retiring the side in the fourth inning.

KEY MOMENTS OF THE GAME
• Milligan singled in the first inning giving Louisiana a chance at an early score. However, she was called out for leaving first base early on a stolen base attempt.
• Summer Ellyson had a clean first inning after a leadoff single, but Fale Aviu came through with a two-out homer for Oklahoma.
• Momentum temporarily switched to the Ragin’ Cajuns side when Hudek began the second inning with a solo home run, trimming the deficit to 2-1.
• The Sooners recaptured the momentum when Shay Knighten led off the bottom half of the second with a solo home run of her own. OU went on to add two additional runs to increase the lead to 5-1.
• A pair of two-out, run-scoring singles in the third inning upped the Sooners’ edge to six runs. OU ended the night with six two-out RBI.

FOLLOW THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS
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SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE
• Season tickets, beginning at $100, are available online at RaginCajuns.com using Account Manager, by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 265-2170 or by visiting the ticket office in person Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and extended hours during Ragin’ Cajuns basketball events.
• Fans who purchase season tickets receive priority access for any potential NCAA postseason games held at Lamson Park.
• For information on premium seating and parking at Lamson Park, contact the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation (RCAF) at (337) 851-2903. General admission parking at Cajun Field will be free for all games during the 2019 season.