Make that five consecutive Sun Belt Conference losses for the UL Ragin’ Cajuns.
One night after getting shut out by Arkansas State, the Red Wolves delivered an encore performance with a 13-3 demolition of UL on Friday at Russo Park.
“Just a total lack of compete,” UL coach Matt Deggs said. “I apologize to everybody to paid money to get out here tonight. It really makes me sick to my stomach that they had to witness that. They have to witness a lot of that this year, but they’ve got my word, I will fix it.”
The Cajuns are now 25-29 and 15-14 in Sun Belt play, while the Red Wolves improved to 26-26 and 14-15. Game three is slated for 2:20 p.m. Saturday.
“The mentality is that this is going to get fixed over here, that’s the mentality,” Deggs said of entering the final game of the series.
“It’s important to win every game. It’s important to win every day, but you know what? If your passion doesn’t come close to mine, we’ve got a problem and that’s about where we’re at.”
The game was tied at 3-all until Arkansas State exploded for seven runs in the third inning to take full control of the contest.
Connor Cuff tripled home a run and then scored on a Mark Collins single to tie the game.
But UL reliever Blake McGehee replaced starter Andrew Herrmann after two innings and things didn’t go well right away with ASU loading the bases with outs and the merry-go-round began.
Jake Henry Williams delivered a two-run, later followed by a two-run double form Ashton Quiller. Kaden Amundson’s tapper to the mound was thrown wildly to the plate to get another run home.
Amundson hit a three-run homer in the second to give the Red Wolves a 3-1 lead early.
A bases-loaded hit batsman got another run home in the fourth and then a misjudged fly ball to center resulted in a triple to spark a two-run frame in the sixth.
Herrmann gave up three runs on four hits, one walk and no strikeouts in two innings.
McGehee took the loss after allowing six runs (four earned) on three hits, one walk and no strikeouts in a third of an inning.
Arkansas State’s hitters only struck out one in the game.
Cooper Garrison (3-2) was the winning pitcher for the Red Wolves after five shutout innings on three hits, one walk and seven strikeouts.
JR Tollett is scheduled to start game three. Deggs said he could pitch longer than the first two starters, if his back holds up.
“It depends on his back,” Deggs said. “It depends on his back. That’s what we’ve been dealing with – one injury after another.”
Either way, Deggs said he feels like he’s got enough arms for Saturday’s game with Matthew Holzhammer and James Trimble.
