Leonards’ Clutch Hit Gives Cajuns Sweep
Ryan Leonards' two out, two run single in the bottom of the ninth inning capped a furious four run rally to lead Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns to a 5-4 win over Central Michigan and a sweep of their Saturday doubleheader at M. L. "Tigue" Moore Field.
In the first game, Cody Boutte, Nick Zaunbrecher and Matt Hicks combined to give the Cajuns a 5-3 win over the Chippewas.
In the nightcap, the teams were tied 1-1 going into the ninth inning, but two Cajuns' errors led to three runs and gave CMU a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the ninth.
But the first four batters reached base for the Cajuns, including a Dylan Butler single to cut the lead to 4-2. Reliever Sean Renzi then retired the next two batters before Blake Trahan's infield single re-loaded the bases. Seth Harrison walked to force in a run and Leonards then hit a single to left to score the final two runs.
Hicks (1-0), who gave up the three runs in the ninth inning, got the win.
In the early game, the Cajuns stormed out to a 3-0 lead, but CMU battled back in the fourth against Boutte, who was making his Cajuns' debut, scoring two runs to cut the Cajuns' lead to 3-2. But Chase Compton delivered two runs on a sacrifice fly to increase the Cajuns' lead to three. Zaunbrecher (1-0) allowed just one run over three innings in his Cajuns' debut and Hicks finished up for his first save of the season.
The doubleheader sweep got the Cajuns to 3-0 for the first time since the 2010 season. They'll go for the four game sweep Sunday morning at 11am. Left hander Ryan Wilson will get the start for the Cajuns.