TROY, Ala. – On Day 3 of the Sun Belt Softball Championship, No. 1 seed Louisiana and No. 2 seed Texas State solidified their spots in the winner’s bracket semifinal. The Ragin’ Cajuns outlasted No. 4-seeded South Alabama 10-3, before the Bobcats forced No. 6 seed UT Arlington into the elimination bracket via a 4-0 decision.

No. 3 seed Troy defeated No. 9 ULM 5-1 in an elimination game, before No. 5 seed App State ousted No. 10-seeded Georgia State with a 2-1 victory. Friday’s opener will be a face-off between the top-two seeds in the first semifinal round of the championship at 10 a.m. CT.

A rematch between the Trojans and Mavericks in the first elimination game of the day is set for 12:30 p.m., before the Jaguars face the Mountaineers at 3 p.m. The winners of those games will face off at 5:30 p.m. for a chance to advance to the semifinal on Saturday at 11 a.m.
 
(1) Louisiana 10, (4) South Alabama 3
The Ragin' Cajuns jumped out to a seven-run lead, before the Jaguars posted a three-run sixth inning to prevent the run-rule and put the top seed on its heels late in the game. South Alabama junior infielder Kennedy Cronan belted a three-run bomb to provide the Jaguars with some momentum.

South Alabama's late effort was not enough to slow Louisiana's offense, which racked up 12 hits and responded with a three-run frame in the bottom of the sixth.

The Ragin' Cajuns struck first with a two-run shot from sophomore All-Sun Belt honoree Kendall Talley to get an early spark in the bottom of the first. Louisiana collected five runs across the fourth and fifth innings to edge closer to an early finish.

Two-time Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year Summer Ellyson tossed a complete game and picked up her 21st win of the year. She surrendered four hits and one earned run, but struck out 10 batters in the victory. 
 
(2) Texas State 4, (6) UT Arlington 0
Freshman outfielder Piper Randolph did not waste time setting the tone, knocking in a triple during the Bobcats’ first plate appearance of the afternoon. She scored moments later and the momentum built from there.

Taking the pitching circle in the bottom of the first inning with a 1-0 lead, Meagan King (11-3) retired the first three Mavericks batters on seven pitches. King allowed just two hits on the afternoon and struck out two in the complete-game shutout victory.

Four different players made their way home, as Texas State methodically kept its advantage, scoring insurance runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings. All-conference senior ArieAnn Bell provided the final margin with her 11th home run of the season on a 3-1 count.
 
(3) Troy 5, (9) ULM 1
The Trojans provided a balanced attack, recording 10 hits, while sophomore ace Leanna Johnson limited the Warhawks to just three. Johnson (20-7) posted a trio of three-up, three-down innings to send the game into the fourth and provide an opportunity for her offense to do work.

Troy was powered by freshman Audra Thompson, who made her eighth career start. She plated three crucial insurance runs for the Trojans, going 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs and her first career triple.

A quiet two innings sent the game into the final frame of the contest, where Thompson came in clutch, plating three insurance runs for the Trojans. First-team all-conference senior Katie Webb ignited Troy’s offense with a one-out double down the left field line and the bases quickly filled.

Freshman Libby Baker then rocketed a bases-clearing double to add much needed insurance runs and give Troy the eventual 5-1 victory. 
Johnson calmly retired the side to solidify her 20th win of the season. 
 
(5) App State 2, (10) Georgia State 1
The Mountaineers struck early to get ahead of a gritty Panthers team, as they strategically plated a run in the opening frame.

Keri White opened with a lead-off single and added an extra base on an error. She made her way to the hot corner on a sacrifice bunt and found the plate on an RBI ground out to move App State ahead 1-0.

Georgia State responded in the bottom of the second with Skylar Mosel scoring on an error to knot the game at 1-1.

The App State defense, guided by senior pitcher Sydney Holland (8-6), kept the Panthers off of the board the remainder of the game and the Mountaineer offense took advantage. With two outs in the top of the fourth, all-conference selection Gabby Buruato singled up the middle to extend the half inning and set the table for Baylee Morton to get the go-ahead RBI double. 

Tournament Schedule                                       
Friday, May 14
Game 11 – No. 1 Louisiana vs. No. 2 Texas State (ESPN+), 10 a.m.
Game 12 – No. 6 UT Arlington vs. No. 3 Troy (ESPN+), 12:30 p.m.
Game 13 – No. 4 South Alabama vs. No. 5 App State (ESPN+), 3 p.m.
Game 14 – Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 13 (ESPN+), 5:30 p.m.
 
Saturday, May 15
Game 15 – Loser Game 11 vs. Winner Game 14 (ESPN+), 11 a.m.
Championship Game – Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 15 (ESPN+), 2:30 p.m.
All times are Central and subject to change.