LAFAYETTE, La. — UTSA scored three runs in the opening frame, but Louisiana-Lafayette answered with seven of its own over the next five innings and the Ragin' Cajuns held off the Roadrunners, 9-6, on Saturday in front of 2,040 fans at Moore Field.
Louisiana-Lafayette (6-1) took a 7-3 lead into the seventh inning, but UTSA (5-2) pulled to within one after Daniel Rockett hit a bases-clearing double with two outs.
However, the Ragin' Cajuns responded with one in the bottom of the inning and another in the eighth to clinch the series victory.
Matt Hicks closed the door for ULL with two scoreless stanzas and he fanned a pair to earn his second save of the season.
Cody Boutte (2-0) picked up the win after giving up six runs on seven hits and striking out five in 6.2 frames. Boutte, who did not allow a hit in the middle innings, was relieved after loading the bases in the seventh. All three of his runners scored on Rockett's two-bagger off Matt Plitt.
UTSA started the game with Riley Good's single and, two batters later, Mike Warren doubled. RJ Perucki then followed with a three-run home run to right-center field.
However, the Birds, who collected eight hits on the day, were held scoreless over the next five innings and picked up only two more hits until the seventh.
Meanwhile, Louisiana-Lafayette racked up 15 base knocks, including five for extra bases.
Michael Strentz was 4-for-5 with three RBIs, while Seth Harrison went 3-for-4 with an RBI and he scored four times. Tyler Girouard added a pair of hits, including a solo home run in the second that put the Ragin' Cajuns on the board for the first time.
Rockett continued his sizzling start to the season with two doubles and three RBIs.
Brock Hartson (0-1) allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits in four-plus innings. The right-hander also walked one and struck out a pair in his second career start.
The series finale is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday. Louisiana-Lafayette will give the ball to right-hander Austin Robichaux (0-0, 1.80 ERA), while the Roadrunners will try to salvage the set with righty Clint Sharp (0-0, 6.75 ERA).