In a game full of momentum swings and late-inning drama, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns softball team mounted a furious seventh-inning rally but ultimately fell just short, dropping an 8-7 heartbreaker to the James Madison Dukes on Saturday afternoon at Lamson Park.

James Madison (18-20, 5-9 SBC) came out swinging in the second inning, plating four runs to take early control. A key RBI single by Payton List and a two-run hit from Reed Butler gave the Dukes a 4-2 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Louisiana (19-22, 5-9 SBC) opened the scoring in the bottom of the first when Maddie Hayden and Emily Smith strung together hits to push across two runs. The Cajuns clawed back late in the contest, scoring one run in the fifth, another in the sixth, and mounting a three-run surge in the seventh, but the early damage and a dominant showing from James Madison’s bats proved too much to overcome.

Offensive Highlights

For James Madison, List delivered a standout performance at the plate, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs, including a three-run home run in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference-maker. Cali Legzdin added two doubles and scored twice, while Butler drove in two runs as part of a 2-for-4 outing.

Louisiana’s offense was equally potent, pounding out 11 hits. Cecilia Vasquez stayed hot, collecting three hits including a double, while Hayden and Smith each added two hits and multiple RBIs. Sam Roe also contributed with a key RBI single in the fifth and scored in the late-game rally.

Pitching Breakdown

The Cajuns used three pitchers on the day. Starter Bethaney Noble was tagged with the loss after surrendering four earned runs in 2.1 innings. Tyra Clary provided solid middle relief with three scoreless innings, but James Madison broke through again against Sam Ryan in the sixth and seventh.

Kirsten Fleet picked up the win for the Dukes, tossing five strong innings before handing the ball to Payton List, who despite some shaky moments, secured the save.

Late-Inning Drama

Louisiana entered the bottom of the seventh trailing 8-4 but quickly ignited a rally. With the bases loaded and two outs, Hayden ripped a two-RBI single to cut the deficit to one. The Cajuns had the tying and winning runs in scoring position, but a lineout to center field ended the game and James Madison escaped with the win.

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Final Score: James Madison 8, Louisiana 7
Hits: JMU 12, UL 11
Errors: JMU 5, UL 3
Winning Pitcher: Kirsten Fleet (9-5)
Losing Pitcher: Bethaney Noble (4-6)

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