MOBILE, Ala. - Top-seeded UL Lafayette took advantage of Texas State's miscues and trumped the Bobcats, 11-4, to advance to Saturday's semifinals of the Sun Belt Conference Baseball Championship at Stanky Field in Mobile, Ala.
The Ragin' Cajuns (51-7) pushed the envelope early and often after falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first inning. The Cajuns were aggressive on the base paths and stole three bags en route to a three-run bottom half of the first to take a 3-1 lead.
Ryan Leonards led off with a single to right, then stole second. Jace Conrad singled to right, scoring Leonards. Conrad then stole both second and third before scoring on a Caleb Adams double to left center.
Adams would then steal third and would score on a Greg Davis groundout to second.
Texas State (29-27) then chased Cajun starter and SBC Pitcher of the Year, Carson Baranik, from the game as they picked up three more runs on a Garrett Mattlage three-run homer in the top of the third. Matt Hicks came on to replace Baranik and pitched 3.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit with four strikeouts.
In the Bobcat third, Cory Geisler led off with a single, followed by Ben McElroy single, pushing Geisler to second. Mattlage then launched his homerun over the right field fence giving the Bobcats a 4-3 lead.
The Cajuns would answer quickly, scoring two runs in the bottom of the third to take the lead which was all that the Cajuns needed.
Conrad was hit by a pitch with two outs in the bottom of the third. He advanced to third after a failed pick-off attempt and would score on an Adams single to right. Adams then added his second stolen base of the night as he took second with no attempt to pick him off. Davis singled to left, scoring Conrad and giving the Cajuns a 5-4 lead.
The Cajuns picked up two more runs in both the fifth and sixth innings and a run apiece in the seventh and eighth innings.
Adams, Conrad, Leonards and Trahan led the Cajuns with three hits each with Adams and Conrad adding two RBI. Greg Davis also added two more RBI in the game.
Lucas Humpal received the loss for the Bobcats who will play in an elimination game against No. 5 UL Monroe on Friday at 3:00 p.m. CT.
The Cajuns have off on Friday before taking on the winner of tomorrow's UL Monroe/Texas State game on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. CT.