ULL pounds FIU

• Advocate news services
• Published: May 9, 2008 - Page: 8C - UPDATED: 12:30 a.m.

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TROY, Ala. — The University of Louisiana at Lafayette collected three home runs en route to eight runs as they downed Florida International 8-2 in the second round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

The Ragin’ Cajuns collected 10 hits  including four extra base hits. The Cajuns belted three home runs. Gabriele Bridges, Vanessa Soto, and Melissa Verde each had home runs. Verde added a double  and led the team with five RBIs.

ULL pitcher Ashley Brignac collected her second win of the tournament. The SBC Pitcher of the Year tossed a complete game for her 26th victory of the season. Brignac scattered three hits in 7.0 innings, allowing just a pair of runs with only one earned run. She struck out 10 batters, marking the 15th time this season she has recorded double-digit strikeouts.

In the first inning with two outs, Soto drove a 2-0 pitch over the left-field wall for the Cajuns’ first run of the game. The homer was Soto’s sixth of the season.

Florida International knotted the score in the top of the third inning at 1-1. With two outs, a fielding error by the Cajuns allowed the first base runner of the game for the Golden Panthers. A two-out double to left center field scored the runner and tied the game.

The Cajuns scored a pair of runners in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs, Holly Tankersley singled through the right side of the infield. Verde followed the single with a home run to left field. The home run was Verde’s fourth of the season.

The Cajuns will advance to the next round of the tournament.

ULL will face the winner of the Western Kentucky-Florida International game. The WKU-FIU game starts at 12:30 p.m. today. First pitch for the Cajuns game is 5:30 p.m. today at the Troy Softball Complex.

Southland Conference
NICHOLLS 2, SAM HOUSTON 1: In San Marcos, Texas, Nicholls didn’t score many, but scored enough in the Southland Conference Tournament at Bobcat Field.

The Colonels move on to play No. 3 Texas-San Antonio (25-24, 20-10 SLC) at 6:30 p.m. today.

“This was just a great win for us today. They (Bearkats) swept us this season at their place, and I think the team came into the game with something to prove,” coach Jenny Parsons said.

Nicholls sophomore pitcher Lacey Gros (9-3) threw 6.2 innings allowing only five hits, four walks and one run while fanning four. Gros was relieved by Ensminger in the top of the seventh and got the swinging strikeout against the only batter that she faced to end the game.  Ensminger picked up her second save on the year.

The Colonels (29-27, 15-14) started the scoring off in the bottom of the third when junior Danielle Clayton hit a double to right center to score senior Kat Harrell from second. Harrell singled in her at bat to power the inning.