The Ragin’ Cajuns fell behind early and trailed by as many as four runs as late as the sixth inning, but escaped with a dramatic 7-6 victory. 

Trailing 6-2 in the sixth inning, the Ragin’ Cajuns made a charge and cut the lead to just one run.  Jonathan Lucroy led off the inning with a single to left centerfield.  A walk and groundout gave the Cajuns a runner at second and third.  A fly ball to right field recorded the second out of the inning, but the ball was not deep enough to score a run.  With two outs and a pair of runners on base, Scott Hawkins hit a two-run double to left field.  An RBI single by Justin Robichaux scored Hawkins and cut the Illini lead to just 6-5. 

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Lucroy doubled to right centerfield with two outs to get things started for the Cajuns.  Devery Van De Keere singled to centerfield to plate Lucroy and knot the score at 6-6 after seven complete innings. 

In the bottom of the ninth inning, tied at 6-6, Devon Bourque worked the count and drew a base on balls.  Josh Logan entered the game to pinch run for Bourque.  Xavier Alexander successfully executed a sacrifice bunt to move Logan into scoring position.  Logan helped the Cajuns get closer as he stole third base.  With a 2-1 count, Nolan Gisclair roped a ball into left field for a single to plate Logan and give the Cajuns the win. 

The Cajuns seven wins to start the season are the most since UL started the 1994 season 13-0. 

Leading the way for the Ragin’ Cajuns was Lucroy, Van De Keere, Hawkins and Robichaux.  The four hitters both collected a pair of hits on the day.  Hawkins and Van De Keere both had a pair of RBI in the game. 

John Zorich (2-0) earned the win for the Cajuns.  The southpaw entered the game in the second inning in relief of starter Greg Wilborn.  Zorich tossed 8.0 innings of work, allowing just a pair of runs while scattering eight hits.  He fanned eight batters on the day without issuing a walk. 

In the first inning, the Illini used five groundball singles and an RBI groundout to jump out to a 4-0 lead after a half of an inning.  Illinois’ first three batters singled to score the first run f the game.  After a line drive out, the Fighting Illini added a pair of RBI singles.  An RBI groundout scored the final run of the inning. 

Trailing for the first time all season, the Cajuns responded in their half of the first inning. Alexander led off the inning with a single through the right side of the infield.  The hit extended his hitting streak to a team-leading seven games.  A pair of groundouts advanced Alexander to third base.  Van De Keere singled up the middle to plate Alexander and cut into the Illinois lead.  After a walk by Jefferies Tatford, Kolin Hatfield singled through the right side to score Van De Keere.  After the first complete inning, the Cajuns had cut the Illini lead to 4-2. 

In the third inning, Illinois added a run.  After the Cajuns retired the first two batters, the Illini used a double and a single to plate a runner and extend their lead to 5-2. 

The Illini added an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning.  With one out, Illinois strung together two singles, followed by a double to plate a runner and take a 6-2 lead. 

The Cajuns responded with the three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and the tying run in the bottom of the seventh inning setting the stage for the dramatic win in the bottom of the ninth. 

The Ragin’ Cajuns and Illini will conclude the three-game series on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m.  The game will be televised throughout south Louisiana on My KLAF. 

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