SAN MARCOS, Texas – Behind stellar performances at the plate and a gutsy effort in the circle, Louisiana outlasted Texas State 5-4 in eight innings Friday night at Bobcat Stadium, capturing a hard-fought Sun Belt Conference win.

Several Ragin' Cajuns stepped up in key moments to push Louisiana (24-23, 10-9 SBC) back above .500 in league play and take down one of the top teams in the conference standings.

Emily Smith Leads the Charge
First baseman Emily Smith delivered one of her best games of the season when the Cajuns needed it most. Smith went a perfect 4-for-5 at the plate, driving in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning with a clutch single to right field that scored Maddie Hayden. Smith’s night included a pair of early hits to help set the tone offensively, and her aggressive baserunning throughout the game added pressure on the Bobcats' defense.

Dayzja Williams Provides Spark at the Top
Designated player Dayzja Williams set the table all night for the Louisiana lineup. Williams went 3-for-4 and consistently found ways to get on base, including a key bunt single that led to the game-winning rally in extra innings. Her combination of speed and small ball execution played a critical role in keeping the Bobcats off balance.

Maddie Hayden Sets the Tone
Center fielder Maddie Hayden ignited the offense early by leading off the game with a single and later scoring Louisiana’s first run. She reached base twice and came home for the game-winner in the eighth inning after putting the ball in play and advancing on an error by the Texas State shortstop. Her speed and heads-up baserunning were a major difference-maker.

Kayla Falterman and Erin Ardoin Deliver Big Hits
Veterans Kayla Falterman and Erin Ardoin each came through with RBI singles in the first inning, staking Louisiana to an early lead. Falterman later reached on an error in the fifth inning that allowed two runs to cross the plate, tying the game at 4-4 and shifting momentum back to the Cajuns.

Tyra Clary Slams the Door
In the circle, sophomore Tyra Clary was outstanding in relief. Entering a pressure-packed situation in the bottom of the sixth inning, Clary threw 2.1 scoreless innings, scattering two hits and two walks while keeping the potent Texas State offense off the board. She worked her way out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth and sealed the win by inducing a double-play ball to end the eighth. Clary improved to 6-5 on the season with the victory.

Defensive Toughness Shines
The Cajuns' defense played a critical role in the victory as well, turning two double plays and making several key stops to keep Texas State from mounting big innings. After a shaky start that included a passed ball and an error, Louisiana tightened up and made all the plays down the stretch.

Final Line:

• Louisiana: 5 runs, 14 hits, 1 error
• Texas State: 4 runs, 9 hits, 2 errors

Next Up:
Louisiana and Texas State continue their Sun Belt series Saturday afternoon in San Marcos. The Cajuns will look to carry Friday’s momentum into another critical game as they push for seeding in the upcoming conference tournament.