Cajun Softball Splits Final Games

Louisiana's Ragin'Cajun softball team split the final two games of the 2008 Aggie Classic, downing Illinois in the first game, 4-1 and dropping the second game to the Illini, 2-1.

In the first game of Sunday against Illinois, the Cajuns (15-5) used solid pitching and clutch hits to edge the Illini,4-1.

Donna Bourgeois (Teurlings High) was stellar in the circle for 6.1 innings. Bourgeois scattered eight hits shutting out Illinois for six complete innings. She fanned seven batters while walking just three batters.

Ashley Brignac (John Curtis High) entered the game in relief of Bourgeois, looking for the final two outs of the game. Brignac walked the first batter she faced to load the bases, but followed with two strikeouts to end the game and pick up her first career save.

The Cajuns bats hit 2 home runs and scattered eight hits in the game.

Holly Tankersley paced the Cajuns with a pair of extra base hits. The senior recorded her second triple on the year and added the final run of the game with a solo home run.

Lana Bowers provided the other home run for the Cajuns. Her solo shot down the left field line was her third of the season.


In the Second Game ,Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns softball team dropped the final game of the 2008 Aggie Classic by a final score of 2-1 to Illinois.

The Cajuns squandered terrific pitching performances from Ashley Brignac and Brittany Cuevas on the day.

Ashley Brignac (John Curtis High) started the game and worked three-plus innings. She fanned five batters, allowing just one unearned run.

She was relieved in the fourth inning by Brittany Cuevas (Brazoria, Texas). Making her third appearance of the weekend, Cuevas worked three scoreless innings, before surrendering a two-out solo home run. The sophomore hurler recorded a season-best nine strikeouts while issuing just one free pass.

Offensively, Louisiana was no-hit the first six innings. The Cajuns had just two base runners before Holly Tankersley (Kirbyville, Texas) delivered a leadoff single into left field.

Tankersley became only the third Cajuns base runner of the day. Vanessa Soto (San Diego, Calif.) was the only other UL batter to reach base before the seventh inning. Soto drew two free passes but never advanced past first base.

The Fighting Illini received a career game from starting pitcher Claire DeVreese. The senior hurler struck out a career best 11 batters in the shutout effort. DeVreese kept the Cajuns’ batters off-balanced all game and UL failed to adjust.

The Ragin’ Cajuns softball team will return to action on Tuesday, Mar. 11 with a doubleheader against IUPUI at Alfred and Helen Lamson Ragin’ Cajuns Softball Park. First pitch of the twin bill is slated for 5:00 p.m.