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SAN ANTONIO – Louisiana-Lafayette jumped on UTSA starter Blake Brannon for seven runs in the second and third innings and cruised to a 10-2 victory in Friday’s home opener at Roadrunner Field.
Brannon (0-1), who carried a UTSA-record 29 scoreless innings streak into the contest, got through the first unscathed on the strength of a pair of strikeouts, but the wheels came off the next inning. Jefferies Tatford led off with his first home run of the season and run-scoring doubles by Devon Borque and Xavier Alexander later in the frame gave the Ragin’ Cajuns (2-0) all they would need on a night when temperatures dropped into the mid-40s.
Louisiana-Lafayette, which collected 12 hits (five for extra bases) on the night, chased Brannon the next inning when Justin Robichaux launched his second homer of the year, a three-run shot, and the Ragin’ Cajuns went on to add two more runs in the frame off reliever Josh Blakley.
The Roadrunners (0-2) got on the board in the fifth when junior Greg Sillivent led off with a bunt single, moved to third on senior Mitch Ponza’s second double of the year and scored on junior Marshal Davis’ sacrifice fly to right field. Sophomore Michael Rockett brought Ponza home with a liner to left two batters later.
UL-Lafayette starter Greg Wilborn (1-0) was outstanding in his first start of the season. The southpaw allowed just two runs on six hits and struck out five in six innings. Matt Pilgreen relieved Wilborn to start the seventh and struck out six in his two innings of work and Andrew Laughter closed out the contest with a scoreless ninth.
Davis and Ponza led UTSA’s offense by going 2-for-4 with a double. Rockett had a pair of hits and an RBI and Sillivent added two bunt singles.
Brannon – who lost for the first time since April 25, 2006 – allowed seven runs on seven hits and struck out five in his 2.2 innings of work. True freshman Ryan Proudfoot, who is battling for a spot in the starting rotation, struck out five over the final two innings in his first appearance of the season.
Tatford led UL-Lafayette with three hits, while Alexander added a pair of safeties and three RBIs.
The three-game series continues at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Junior right-hander Bradley Chovanec (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3 IP) will oppose lefty Greg Solich, who will be making his first start of the year for the Ragin’ Cajuns.