TROY, Ala. – No. 1 seed Louisiana solidified its seventh-consecutive appearance in the Sun Belt Conference championship game after just edging No. 2-seeded Texas State 4-3 in the winner’s bracket semifinal on Friday morning in Troy, Alabama. It marks the Ragin' Cajuns 19th overall appearance in the championship game in 21 editions of the Sun Belt’s postseason event.
No. 3 seed Troy outlasted No. 6 seed UT Arlington 4-1 in the first elimination game of the day, before No. 4-seeded South Alabama ousted No. 5 seed App State 2-1. The Jaguars then bested the Trojans 10-6 in a hard-fought, comeback victory.
The Bobcats will face the Jaguars in the elimination bracket semifinal on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT. The winner of that game will face the Ragin’ Cajuns at 2:30 p.m.
(1) Louisiana 4, (2) Texas State 3
A two-out throwing error in the top of the sixth inning allowed the Ragin' Cajuns to overcome a 2-1 deficit—the first time Louisiana trailed during the championship.
After Louisiana's Kendall Talley snapped Texas State’s streak of 18.2 consecutive scoreless innings pitched during the tournament, bringing home Alissa Dalton on a single in the top of the fifth, the Bobcats recovered quickly.
In the bottom of the fifth, senior Hailey MacKay singled through the right side of the diamond to bring home both Kylie George and Sara Vanderford.
Momentum appeared to be in the Bobcat’s favor on both sides of the ball, as the defense looked like it was going to keep the lead heading into its next at-bat in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs on the board and Sun Belt Player and Newcomer of the Year held up at third, an error on a routine throw to first allowed Bryan to score. The throw was followed by a run-scoring hit from Julie Rawls to give Louisiana a 3-2 lead.
Louisiana extended its lead to 4-2 in the top of the seventh, when Bailey Curry reached first on a wild pitch strikeout, then pinch-runner Jenna Kean scored from first on a double off the bat of Sophie Piskos.
First-team all-leaguer Tara Oltmann cut the deficit to one run with a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, but Vanderford went down swinging on four pitches to end the game.
(3) Troy 3, (6) UT Arlington 1
UTA pitcher JoJo Valencia and Troy pitcher Kynsley Blasingame dominated from the circle on Friday, as opposing batters went just 5-for-32 at the plate with runners on and 3-for-20 with runners in scoring position. The Mavericks stranded 10 runners, including bases loaded in the third, while the Trojans stranded 11 runners on base.
Troy struck first in the second inning, with an RBI single that brought in freshman Audra Thompson. The Mavericks responded in the fifth inning, with runners on the corners pulling off a perfect double steal to allow Reagan Hukill to come home from third and knot the contest at 1-1.
Undeterred, the No. 3 seeded Trojans landed the final punch with a two-RBI double from all-conference sophomore Kelly Horne to bring in Katie Lively and Jade Sinness, who reached on a single and walk, respectively.
(4) South Alabama 2, (5) App State 1
Every run mattered in Game 3 on Friday. And luckily for the Jaguars, they got the memo first. The Jaguars plated both of their runs in the top of the second, as pinch hitter Camryn McLemore singled to right field to bring in Abby Allen and Mackenzie Brasher singled to the shortstop to score Caroline Nichols to get enough insurance for the victory.
App State battled until the end against South Alabama, scoring in the bottom of the fifth to cut the Jaguar lead to one. All-conference selection Gabby Buruato put herself in scoring position after a Jaguars error allowed her to reach second. With two outs, Emily Parrott stepped up to the plate and hit an RBI triple to center field to score Buruato. The Mountaineer rally came up short as a strikeout ended the threat.
From there, four-time Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week Olivia Lackie came on in relief for Jaguar starter Jenna Hardy and didn't allow a runner on base. Hardy (3-2) received the win, pitching 5.0 innings and giving up one run on two hits. Lackie earned her fourth save on the season, striking out two in her 2.0 innings of work.
(4) South Alabama 10, (3) Troy 6
The Trojans looked to have the game sealed heading into the fifth inning with a 6-0 lead, especially after rattling off five runs in the bottom of the fourth frame. However, the Jaguars took note and clawed their way back into the game, recording a five-run fifth inning to come within one. A lead-off single by senior catcher Kamdyn Kvistad ignited the South Alabama offense, which loaded the bases with back-to-back walks. An RBI single with the bases loaded brought in one score, followed by a game-changing three-RBI double from junior Meredith Keel to bring things within two. Keel was able to come home on an error, before the inning concluded to move things to 6-5, with Troy still ahead.
South Alabama kept Troy off the board the final three innings, as Jenna Hardy picked up her fourth win of the season. She delivered three strikeouts and three walks in 3.2 innings of work, giving up one earned run.
Her efforts gave the South Alabama offense the opportunity it needed to climb back into the game and it delivered in a big way in the top of the seventh. A lead-off walk, followed by a sac bunt and back-to-back singles, brought in two quick scores and gave the Jaguars a 7-6 lead. South Alabama junior second baseman Belle Wolfenden put the nail in the coffin with a three-run shot to center to provide the final margin.
Tournament Schedule
Saturday, May 15
Game 15 – No. 2 Texas State vs. No. 4 South Alabama (ESPN+), 11 a.m.
Championship Game – No. 1 Louisiana vs. Winner Game 15 (ESPN+), 2:30 p.m.
All times are Central and subject to change.