The Cajuns improved to 8-0 on the season, their best start since opening the 1994 season 13-0. 

Offensively, the Cajuns used a pair of multi-RBI homeruns to spur the offense.  Scott Hawkins hit a three-run homerun in the first inning and Kolin Hatfield added a two-run homer in the third. 

Hawkins finished the day with four RBI. 

William Long, who made his first defensive start of his young Cajuns’ career, finished the day with three hits. 

Justin Robichaux picked up the win for the Cajuns.  The win was his first collegiate victory.  He entered the game in relief of starting pitcher Brent Solich and tossed 2.0 scoreless innings.  Robichaux faced eight batters, surrendering one hit, walking one and striking out one. 

The Ragin’ Cajuns used a five run first inning to jump out on the Illini and never looked back.  Long led off the game with his first collegiate hit, a double to right field.  An RBI double by Nolan Gisclair plated Long and gave the Cajuns a 1-0 edge.  Jonathan Lucroy followed with an RBI double of his own to score Gisclair.  A groundout moved Lucroy to third base. 

Jefferies Tatford continued the inning as he stepped to the plate and was hit by a pitch.  The HBP was the 34^th of Tatford’s career as a Cajun moving the senior into sole possession of first place on the career record books. 

After a strikeout, Hawkins homered to left centerfield to score Lucroy and Tatford and give the Cajuns an early 5-0 lead. 

The Cajuns added an insurance run in the bottom of the second inning.  Devon Bourque reached base on a four-pitch walk.  He moved to second as the Illini pitcher balked.  Long moved Bourque to second with his second hit of the game and Gisclair hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to plate the runner. 

The Fighting Illini threatened in the top of the third inning.  After walking the first runner of the inning, Illinois used a one-out single and a fielding error to scratch the scoreboard.  The single slipped through the right side of the infield advancing the runner to third base.  He scored as the relay throw was misplayed by the Cajuns.  A pair of singles and a triple plated three more runners and cut the UL lead to just 6-4.  Another single plated the runner on third base and cut the lead to just one run. 

The Cajuns responded in the bottom half of the inning.  Tatford led off with a single to right centerfield.  He was driven home as Hatfield homered to left field. 

Leading 8-5, the Ragin’ Cajuns added a run in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Tatford was hit by his second pitch of the afternoon and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  A Hawkins double scored the runner and gave the Cajuns a four-run cushion. 

In the eighth inning, UL reached the double-digit plateau.  Matt Casbon singled to right field and advanced to second base on a ground out.  Long’s third hit f the day scored Casbon from second and gave the Cajuns a 10-5 lead. 

The Illinois made a push in the final inning, but came up short.  A single and an error gave the Illini a runner on second with no outs.  A groundout moved the runner to third and a single plated the first run of the inning.  A double scored another run, but the Cajuns induced a fly ball and a line drive to end the inning and secure the win. 

The Ragin’ Cajuns return to action on Tuesday and Wednesday as they play a pair of midweek non-conference games.  On Tuesday, Feb. 27, the Cajuns will host Louisiana Tech, before taking on Northwestern Stat on Wednesday, Feb. 28.  Both contests are scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

-Ragin’ Cajuns-