Louisiana-Lafayette 3, South Alabama 2 (10 inn.)
MOBILE, Ala. – Top-seeded and 22nd-ranked Louisiana-Lafayette scored two run in the bottom of the ninth and added another in the 10th to hand upset-minded South Alabama a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat on the first day of the 2007 Sun Belt Conference Championship at Stanky Field.
Louisiana-Lafayette pinch-hitter John Zorich entered the game in the bottom of the 10th with the bases loaded and was plunked by Jaguar pitcher Matt Petersen to score the winning run. It was Zorich’s first at bat of the season.
“It was a heartbreaking game to lose,” Jaguar head coach Steve Kittrell said. “We made some mistakes and left too many men on base at times.”
“We couldn’t get key hits when we needed them, but the guys played their hearts out and it was a wail of a game.”
The Jaguars (29-25), playing as the visitor being the eighth seed, opened the game putting three runners on base in the top of the first, but failed to get anything across despite junior Clint Toomey and sophomore David Doss both hitting singles. Junior Joel Collins reached base courtesy of being plunked by Cajun hurler Danny Farquhar. Collins has been hit a South Alabama record 48th time in his career and a South Alabama record 22nd time this season. He broke both records against Troy this past weekend.
South Alabama opened the second as junior Ryne Jernigan hit a double to the gap and junior Ray Kruml singled to left. Moments later, senior Lance Heisler roped a ball to left field scoring the first run of the game, giving USA a 1-0 lead.
The Cajuns (41-14) began the bottom of the second with a double to right center by Nolan Gisclair followed by a come-backer by Matt Casbon as the ball went off the knee of Jaguar senior pitcher Joey Doan. Doan got William Long to fly out to end the inning leaving Gisclair stranded at third.
In the top of the third, USA added its second run as Doss doubled down the left field line followed by a RBI single by Chris Davis to give the Jags a 2-0 lead.
The Jaguars had the opportunity to increase the lead in the top of the fifth as sophomore Chris Davis hit a single with runners on first and second, but the Cajuns had a great throw from Gisclair in right field to catcher Jonathan Lucroy who placed the tag on Toomey at home to prevent another run.
Louisiana-Lafayette loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fifth with two base hits and an error by the Jaguars. Doan proceeded to get out of the jam again, striking out Scott Hawkins and he got Jeffries Tatford to fly out to end the threat.
The Jaguars opened the top of the ninth with a double by Kruml to the gap. Ragin’ Cajun head coach Tony Robichaux made a move to the bullpen replacing Farquhar who pitched eight innings, allowing 12 hits, two earned runs, two walks and five strikeouts. Heisler put down a perfect bunt, allowing Kruml to advance to third on the fielder’s choice, sacrifice bunt with nobody out.
South Alabama loaded the bases on a Doss walk, he was 4-for-4 coming into that at bat. After a Cunningham strikeout, Collins fouled out to left field as the Jags left the bases loaded for the second time tonight. Cajun reliever Matt Pilgreen got out of the jam with a walk and a strikeout and preserving the 2-0 deficit.
The Cajuns had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth as Doan came back out looking for his third consecutive complete game. Casbon led-off the inning with a single to right field on Doan’s 100th pitch.
It was the fifth time tonight that the Cajuns had the lead-off man reach base.
Pinch-hitter Blaine LaFleur lined a ball up the middle and advance to second on an error. Jaguar head coach Steve Kittrell brought in freshman closer Chris LaGrow with no outs and runners on second and third. Devon Bourque roped a ball up the middle cutting the deficit to 2-1.
After a Josh Logan strikeout, Matt Hicks tied the game with a sacrifice bunt. LaGrow got out of the inning as Xavier Alexander grounded out to second base.
LaGrow (1-2) picks up the loss for the Jaguars, while Pilgreen (6-0) took the win for Louisiana-Lafayette. The Jags were led by Doss’ 4-for-4 night, with two doubles and two singles. Bourque went 3-for-4 for ULL with a double and a RBI.
South Alabama will face Louisiana-Monroe in an elimination game tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. at Stanky Field. ULM swept the season series with South Alabama back in March.
Louisiana-Lafayette will battle Troy at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
