Mountaineers take rubber match over Ragin’ Cajuns

Published 1:30 am Monday, March 25, 2019

LAFAYETTE — Louisiana held a one-run advantage heading into the ninth, but a two-spot in the top of the final frame by Appalachian State saw the visitors take the series with a 6-5 rubber-match victory on Sunday.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (11-14, 3-3) had an opportunity in the bottom of the ninth to steal the game by putting runners on the corners, but they were unable to get the hit they needed to take the game.

It was hitting by committee on Sunday, with seven different players recording a hit. Hayden Cantrelle extended his hitting streak to 13 games with an RBI double, while Todd Lott singled to bring across a run and Orynn Veillon tied Cantrelle for the team lead with his sixth home run of the year. Both Veillon and Lott also extended their respective hitting streaks.

Caleb Armstrong took the loss, giving up two earned runs in 2.0 innings of work. Grant Cox went most of the way for Louisiana and finished the game allowing two runs on four hits in 5.1 innings pitched.

Appalachian State (10-12, 3-3) went ahead early with two runs in the first, but Louisiana countered and remained in firm control of the game with a 5-4 advantage through eight innings of action.

The tides turned in the ninth when the Mountaineers took its first lead since the opening frame on a two-run single by Luke Drumheller to go ahead, 6-5. UL returns to action Tuesday when it hosts Tulane to Russo Park at 6:30 p.m.