XULA earns RRAC baseball tourney spot, splits softball twinbill Friday

Xavier University of Louisiana baseball clinched a berth in the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament with its 13-2 victory Friday against Jarvis Christian in the opener of a three-game RRAC series at Wesley Barrow Stadium in New Orleans.

The game was halted after 6 1/2 innings because of the 10-run rule. Blair Frederick struck out 12 in seven innings, and Mark Herron, D’Aires Davis and Zachary Elias combined for 10 RBIs for the Gold Rush (17-20 overall, 13-14 RRAC).

XULA never trailed and scored five runs in the third inning and four in the sixth. The teams will conclude their three-game series with a noon Saturday doubleheader at Barrow.

Jarvis Christian is 12-34 overall and 7-20 in the league.

The RRAC Tournament, a double-elimination event involving eight teams, will be May 6-9 at Sterlington, La. Frederick, Elias, Co Co Simoneaux and Matt Muhleisen were honored in a pregame senior-day ceremony.

XULA and Jarvis Chistian will conclude their series with a noon Saturday doubleheader.

Meanwhile, Xavier University of Louisiana freshman right-hander Carina Chargois pitched her third shutout of the season in an 8-0 victory Friday against Houston-Victoria in the first game of a Red River Athletic Conference softball doubleheader at Wesley Barrow Stadium.

The Jaguars gained a split with a 10-3 victory in the second game.

Chargois allowed two hits in five innings — the opener was called after 4 1/2 innings because of the 8-run rule — walked two, struck out three and did not allow an earned run for the third consecutive start.

Chargois is the only NAIA pitcher this season to throw a shutout against the Jaguars.

The Gold Nuggets scored in each of their four offensive innings. McKenzie Guillory hit a two-run double in the third inning, and Bradley, Brittany Ensley, Chenai Keyes, Kyla Porche and Vivionna Robles also had RBIs.

In the second game, Madysin Leighton, Claire Blinka and Jackie Longoria had three hits apiece for UHV.

Leighton and Blinka had two RBIs apiece, and Blinka hit two doubles and a home run. The Jaguars pulled away after a tie at 1 through three innings.

XULA is 19-26 overall and 13-13 in the RRAC; Houston-Victoria is 24-11 and 17-7.

XULA will play host to Huston-Tillotson at noon Saturday in an RRAC doubleheader at Barrow where Bradley, Amaya Eubanks and Destyn Jones will be honored in a pregame senior-day ceremony.