SAN ANTONIO, Texas-Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns improved to 2-0 on the season as they claimed a 10-2 victory over Texas-San Antonio (0-2) on Friday night at Roadrunner Field. 

The story of the night for the Cajuns was the excellent pitching of starter Greg Wilborn.  He tossed a career high 6.0 innings, allowing just two runs, fanning five batters without allowing a walk. 

After the Cajuns were held scoreless in the first inning, Wilborn was aided by a 9-run cushion over the next two innings. 

Matt Pilgreen entered the game in relief of Wilborn and had his best outing of his career.  The senior pitched 2.0 innings allowing two singles, but struck out a career high six batters, including four consecutive batters. 

Leading the way for the Cajuns offensively was Jefferies Tatford.  After going hitless in the first game of the season, the senior left fielder went 3-for-5 with a homerun. 

Two other players had multiple hits for the Cajuns.  Xavier Alexander and Jonathan Lucroy both had a pair of hits.  Alexander finished the night with three RBI. 

Also with three runs batted in was Justin Robichaux.  The true freshman went 1-for-4 with a 3-run homer. 

The Ragin’ Cajuns were the first team to scratch the scoreboard.  With a 2-1 count, Tatford lifted a pitch over just over the 375-foot mark in the power alley.  Tatford’s homer broke a 30.0 scoreless inning streak by Texas-San Antonio’s starting pitcher Blake Brannon and gave UL a 1-0 edge. 

Scott Hawkins followed the homerun with a single to left centerfield and Nolan Gisclair was hit by a pitch.  With two runners on base and no outs, the Cajuns attempted a double steal.  The throw from the UTSA catcher was off the mark allowing Hawkins to score and Gisclair to move to third base.  Devon Bourque, who had four hits in the Cajuns first game, doubled off of the right centerfield wall to plate Gisclair.  Leading 3-0 with a runner on second base, Alexander doubled to the gap in right field scoring Bourque and giving the Ragin’ Cajuns a 4-0 edge in the second inning. 

Louisiana wasted little time in the third inning padding their lead.  Van De Keere led off the inning with a walk and moved to second base as Tatford singled to right field.  The Cajuns were successful executing the double steal for the second time on the night.  A ground ball by Gisclair caught Van De Keere in a run down and the senior was called out at the plate.  With two runners on and two outs, Robichaux hit his second homerun in as many games to extend the Cajuns lead to 7-0. 

After a pitching change, Bourque drew a base on balls extending the inning.  Josh Logan collected his first hit as a Cajun – a double down the left field line.  Alexander followed Logan’s double with a single, plating both runners.  The Cajuns were unable to score anymore runners, but led 9-0 after two and a half innings of play. 

UTSA cut into the Cajuns’ lead in the fifth inning.  The Roadrunners led off the inning with a bunt single and followed it up with a double to left field.  With a pair of runners in scoring position, a sacrifice fly to deep center field scored the first UTSA runner and moved the runner to third base.  A hot shot to third base plated the second run of the inning, but a fly ball ended the inning and the Roadrunner threat. 

UL added an insurance run in the top of the seventh.  After the Roadrunners retired 10 consecutive batters, Van De Keere singled through the left side to get something going for the Cajuns.  Redshirt freshman Dustin Miller entered the game for the first time in his Cajuns’ career as a pinch runner.  He moved to second as Tatford singled through the right side.  Hawkins successfully executed the sacrifice bunt, advancing the runners.  Gisclair plated Miller with a sacrifice fly to right field to give the Ragin’ Cajuns a 10-2 advantage. 

The Ragin’ Cajuns will continue the series on Saturday, Feb. 17.  First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. at Roadrunner Field. 

-Ragin’ Cajuns-