Softball: Hamilton, Big Bats Ignite Cajuns Blowout - Photo Gallery Included athleticnetwork.net/site.php?pageID=37&newsID=16558 Kevin Foote, Daily Advertiser, March 7, 2014 ___________________________________________________ Click/go here for digital photo gallery of UL vs. Lamar Softball: theadvertiser/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=DG&Dato=20140306&Kategori=PHOTOGALLERIES07&Lopenr=403060805&Ref=PH __________________________________________________ Like most hitters who hit home runs, UL sophomore catcher Lexie Elkins claims she wasn’t thinking about hitting a home run in her final at-bat of Thursday’s chilly home game against Lamar at Lamson Park. And truthfully, she only needed a single to end the game in run-rule fashion. But the bases were loaded, she had hit a homer in her previous at-bat and the wind was blowing out. Trying to or not, that’s exactly what Elkins did, sending a grand slam over the fence in centerfield to put a bow on the Cajuns’ 14-3 win over the Cardinals in six innings. The Cajuns, who are off this weekend, improved to 15-5-1 with the win and are next scheduled to play at Louisiana Tech in a makeup game on Wednesday. “I definitely wasn’t thinking grand slam,” Elkins said. “I was just thinking put bat on ball. “I’m just still focusing on doing what I’m taught and trusting the process.” Well, it’s working because Elkins finished the night 3-for-4 with a double, two homers and seven RBIs to give her seven homers and 23 RBIs on the season. Of course, Elkins wasn’t the only big hitter in Thursday’s win. Haley Hayden continued her season-long tear by going 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and four RBIs. Historically, though, the most significant performance was turned in by senior second baseman Natalie Fernandez, who went 4-for-4 to reach the 200 career hit plateau. “I knew I was getting close, but I didn’t know that was it,” Fernandez said. “It’s a good thing, but that’s not really why I come out to play every game. “As a leadoff hitter, my focus is just to get on base, either by a hit, a hit by pitch, a walk or an error – any way I can.” Fernandez certainly did her job Thursday. In the first inning, she singled and scored on Hayden’s two-run homer – the third time that’s happened this season. In the second, she singled and scored on Elkins’ two-run double and then singled again in the third and scored on Hayden’s RBI double. Also shining offensively with the win was Shelbi Redfearn at 3-for-4 with a triple, while Kelsey Vincent was 2-for-3 with All of that was in support of winning pticher Christina Hamilton, who improved to 6-1 on the season. Former LSU Eunice pitcher Tina Schulz got the loss after giving up fix runs on seven hits in 1.1 innings. Hamilton pitched 4.2 innings, giving up no hits, one walk and struck out. “She’s trusting herself,” Elkins said of Hamilton’s recent surge in the circle. “She’s trusting her pitches.” Lotief certainly appreciates Hamilton’s consistency thus far this season, leaving Thursday’s game with a 1.58 ERA. “Christina’s really been a rock for us,” he said. “She’s changing planes and she’s changing speeds. She’s confident. Christina’s going to be a big piece of what we’re doing this year.” Jordan Wallace had a relief appearance attempting to get out of her recent funk, but it didn’t happen. In 1.1 innings, the right-hander gave up three runs on four hits with two walks and one strikeout. “It’s not going to be a quick fix,” Lotief said. “Last year, it took two months. “It’s very difficult to do in the middle of the season. She did it last year and I know in my heart that she can do it again this year.”
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 14:48:05 +0000
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