The Cajuns (11-1) used a four-run fifth inning and solid pitching to down the Golden Eagles (9-2). 

Starting pitcher John Zorich (3-0) earned the win for the Ragin’ Cajuns.  He tossed 7.2 scoreless innings.  Zorich scattered six hits on the day with only one extra base hit.  He fanned eight batters while issuing only two free passes. 

Closer Danny Farquhar entered the game in relief of Zorich and pitched the final 1.1 innings.  He completed the shutout allowing just a pair of hits.  Farquhar, who earned his third save of the season, struck out one batter and did not allow a walk. 

Offensively for the Cajuns, Xavier Alexander, Nolan Gisclair and Justin Robichaux all posted multi-hit games.  Alexander, Gisclair, Jonathan Lucroy and Scott Hawkins were all responsible for the Cajuns’ four runs as they had one RBI a piece. 

After retiring the Cajuns in order in the first inning, Southern Miss threatened.  USM lead off the bottom half of the inning with a single to the pitcher.  A second single gave the Golden Eagles a pair of runners with one out.   A double play ended the inning and the first inning threat. 

The Cajuns threatened in the second inning.  Back-to-back walks by Jefferies Tatford and Hawkins gave UL a pair of runners with no outs.  A sacrifice bunt by Devery Van De Keere moved both runners into scoring position.  Despite two runners in scoring position with just one out, the Cajuns were unable to plate any runs as a shallow fly ball and a strikeout ended the inning. 

In the fifth inning the Cajuns were able to generate some offense and put some runs on the scoreboard.  Kolin Hatfield was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning.  He moved to second base as Robichaux singled to left field.  A fielder’s choice eliminated Robichaux, but moved Hatfield to third base.  Alexander singled through the right side of the infield to extend his team leading hitting streak to 11 games and plate the first runner of the day for either team.  With Devon Bourque on second and Alexander on first, Gisclair hit a 0-2 pitch into left field for a base hit to plate the lead runner.  An RBI single by Lucroy extended the Cajuns lead to three runs.  Tatford singled to second to load the bases.  Gisclair scored as Hawkins reached on an RBI fielder’s choice.  The Cajuns were unable to plate anymore runs, but the damage had been done and UL led 4-0 at the midway point of the game. 

From there, pitching and solid defense took over. 

Zorich surrendered the only extra-base hit by either team in the bottom of the fifth, but the Cajuns did not allow the runner to get any further than third base. 

The Cajuns used two hits, an HBP and a fielder’s choice to load the bases in the top of the sixth inning, but a foul out and a ground out ended the inning and Louisiana-Lafayette’s opportunity to increase their lead. 

Both teams went down in order the next two innings. 

In the Southern Miss half of the eighth inning, the Golden Eagles loaded the bases and threatened to cut into the UL lead.  A four-pitch walk led off the inning.  Zorich struck out the next batter, but a fielding error by the Cajuns gave USM a pair of runners on base with just one out.  Following the second strikeout of the inning, Farquhar entered the game in relief of Zorich.  The second error of the inning loaded the bases, but a fly ball ended the Golden Eagles’ threat. 

The Ragin’ Cajuns and Golden Eagles will conclude the three-game non-conference series on Sunday afternoon at Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field at 1:00 p.m.

-Ragin’ Cajuns-