LAFAYETTE, LA. — In the final game of the weekend series at the University of Louisiana Lafayette, the Panthers ninth inning comeback attempt was one run shy of going into extra innings.
Site: Russo Park
Score: High Point 5, Louisiana Lafayette 6
Records: High Point (6-9), Louisiana Lafayette (9-5)
Joey Hammond: " I'm proud of the way our guys competed all weekend and today was no exception. We never had a doubt that we'd be in position to win the game at the end and that proved to be true once again. In the end, we simply allowed too many free baserunners (6 bb's and 2 HBP) to a really good offensive team. I thought
David Keith was phenomenal in a near impossible situation and gave us a chance to keep the game within reach. It's backbreaking to have the game end on a ball hit so hard in such a big situation. We will need to learn from this weekend and prepare for another tough road game Wednesday at UNC followed by our conference opening weekend."
The Ragin Cajuns took an early lead in the first three innings, scoring off a single RBI home run, a sacrifice fly and a single hit to right field.
It was a good day at the plate for
Adam Stuart, in his second at bat in the top of the fourth, he led off the inning with a two-run homer over left field. The home run closed the three-run gap to just one entering the bottom half of the inning.
Louisiana added two runs in the bottom of the fifth with two hits. The first from a double to right field to round the runner from second. A wild pitch followed by a walk placed runners on first and third. A deep sacrifice fly to right field gave the Ragin Cajuns enough time to trek home.
After going down three for a second time, High Point answered in the top of the sixth. Stuart and
Jack Pokorak both got on with singles. With one out,
Cole Singsank brought in another run for the Panthers with a ground-rule double to right center field.
Pinch hitting for
Josh Deslauriers,
Charlie Klingler grounded out to the short stop but collected an RBI to make it 4-5 Louisiana.
Digging themselves a hole, the Panthers managed to get out of a tough situation in the bottom of the sixth. With bases loaded,
David Keith came in to pitch with no outs.
Forcing a pop up to second, HPU secured the double play to get two outs. A single from Louisiana still allowed the Ragin Cagins to score one run following the double play, but a fly out to center field gave High Point the third out to get out of the bind.
Two quick seventh and eighth innings by both teams led to a 6-4 lead by the Ragin Cajuns going into the top of the ninth. The Panthers had one more at bat to change the outcome of the game.
Playing smart, a bunt from
Trenton Pallas moved Singsank to second. Pinch hitting for
Patrick Matthews,
Brayden Simpson rocked a shot to center field, advancing Singsank to third. Following up Simpson's hit,
Brett Ahalt passed down the bat with a hit to left field, bringing in a run for the Panthers. With High Point down 5-6,
Javon Fields stepped up to the plate. Taking a hard wack at it, his line drive hit was snagged by the Ragin Cajun short stop, creating an unfortunate double play to end the game.
Up Next: The Panthers remain on the road for a mid-week matchup with No. 14 University of North Carolina Tar Heels on Wednesday March 15, at 6:00 pm.
#GoHPU
