May 4, 2002
LAFAYETTE, La. - Behind a solid performance from starting pitcher Andy Gros , Louisiana-Lafayette claimed a 5-1 victory over Western Kentucky Saturday, in the second game of a three-game Sun Belt Conference series at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field. The win moves the Ragin' Cajuns (31-16, 13-4 Sun Belt) back in front of the Hilltoppers (32-12, 12-4 Sun Belt) by a half game.
For the second-straight contest, pitching dominated the game early on, as Hilltopper starter J.C. Faircloth (Fr., Jacksonville, Fla.), and Gros allowed just three hits combined through the first three innings.
In the top of the fourth, UL Lafayette opened up the scoring, plating two runs on three hits highlighted by a sacrifice fly by Corey Coles followed by an RBI double by Brad Saloom to give the Ragin' Cajuns the early 2-0 lead.
After a scoreless fourth and fifth, UL Lafayette added two more in the botom of the sixth, taking advantage of two Hilltopper errors, and another in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI double by Bryan Sneed to give the Ragin' Cajuns a 5-0 lead heading into the final three innings of play.
In the top of the eighth, David Lower (Jr., Alexandria, Ind.) got the Hilltoppers on the board, belting a solo shot over the wall in left, his second of the season to make it a 5-1 contest.
The Ragin' Cajuns looked to add to their lead in the bottom of the eighth, loading the bases with no outs. Dallas Morris stepped up and hit a hard liner right into the glove of Patrick Ransdell (Sr., Bowling Green, Ky.). Ransdell stepped on second base and fired a throw to Hilltopper 1B Nick Turner (Sr., Louisville, Ky.) to complete the rare triple play to get out of the inning.
In the top of the ninth, WKU put the leadoff runner on base when Brian Polson (Sr., Louisville, Ky.) was hit by Gros. Kevin Ardoin relieved Gros and struckout the next three Topper batters to end the game.
Gros allowed one run on six hits while striking out six in 8.0 innings to earn the win and improve to 8-3 on the year.
Faircloth went 5.1 innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits to earn the loss, dropping his season record to 5-2. Adam Prida (So., Tampa, Fla.) recorded the final two outs in the sixth, while Grady Hinchman (Fr., Pendleton, Ind.) allowed just one run on four hits in a relief effort in the eighth and ninth.
Sunday's rubber match will begin at 1 p.m. (CDT) at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field.
