RUSTON, La. — The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns softball team came up short in a hard-fought midweek matchup against in-state rival Louisiana Tech, dropping a 2-1 decision at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field on Tuesday. The loss marked the first time since 2020 that the Bulldogs claimed the season series, snapping a 31-game win streak for the Cajuns in the historic rivalry.

Under the lights in Ruston, both teams showcased stellar pitching and defensive grit, but Louisiana Tech’s timely hitting proved the difference in a game that remained close until the final out. The Cajuns (19-19) struggled to convert opportunities, leaving runners stranded and managing just one run despite a valiant effort to rally late.

The game started as a pitcher’s duel, with Louisiana’s Sam Ryan and Louisiana Tech’s Laney Johnson trading zeros early. Ryan, coming off a shutout performance against the Bulldogs the previous week, kept Tech’s bats quiet through the first three innings, allowing only a pair of singles while striking out two. Johnson matched her intensity, retiring the Cajuns in order in the first and second innings to keep the game scoreless.

The Bulldogs broke through in the fourth. A leadoff walk and a sharply hit double put runners in scoring position, and a sacrifice fly brought home the game’s first run. Tech added an insurance run later in the inning on a two-out single, taking a 2-0 lead that felt larger given the stifling pitching on both sides.

Louisiana responded in the fifth, refusing to go quietly. Senior Maddie Hayden sparked the offense with a one-out single, and a walk to Kayla Falterman put two on. A fielder’s choice kept the rally alive, and sophomore Emily Smith delivered a clutch RBI single to plate Hayden, cutting the deficit to 2-1. With the tying run in scoring position, the Cajuns couldn’t capitalize further as Johnson induced a groundout to end the threat.

The sixth inning saw Louisiana’s best chance to tie or take the lead. Sam Roe crushed a deep drive to center field that had home run distance, but Tech’s outfielder made a spectacular leaping catch at the wall, robbing Roe of extra bases and preserving the Bulldogs’ lead. The play shifted momentum, and Louisiana Tech’s Allie Floyd came on in relief to close the door, retiring the Cajuns in order in the seventh to secure her first save of the season.

“We battled, but we just couldn’t get that one big hit when we needed it,” head coach Alyson Habetz said postgame. “Credit to Tech—they made the plays and executed in key moments. We’ve got to clean up a few things and bring that energy into the weekend.”

Despite the loss, bright spots emerged for Louisiana. Ryan pitched five strong innings, allowing two runs on four hits while keeping the Bulldogs’ offense in check. Hayden and Smith led the offense, combining for three of the team’s six hits, and the Cajuns played error-free ball in the field, a positive after defensive struggles in their recent series against Troy.

Louisiana Tech (22-14) celebrated the upset, with Johnson earning the win after scattering five hits and one earned run over five innings. The Bulldogs’ defense, highlighted by the game-changing catch in the sixth, backed their pitching staff to seal the victory.

The defeat drops Louisiana to 5-7 in Sun Belt Conference play as they head into a critical weekend series against James Madison at Lamson Park, starting Friday, April 11. With the season at its midpoint, the Cajuns are focused on regrouping and reclaiming momentum at home.

“We’re a resilient group,” Habetz said. “This one stings, but it’s a long season, and we’re ready to get back to work in front of our fans.”

First pitch against James Madison is set for 6:00 p.m. CT on Friday. Louisiana will look to lean on their veteran leadership and home-field advantage to bounce back in the three-game set.

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