Cajuns run-rule Texas State in Sun Belt Championship

Saturday afternoon felt all too familiar.

After sneaking by UT Arlington in the Sun Belt Tournament semifinals, Texas State (41-15) and Louisiana (46-6) met up in the Sun Belt Championship game in a rematch of last season's title contest. It was the game many figured would be the final conference matchup between the conference's two 40-win teams and for the second consecutive season, the Ragin' Cajuns run-ruled the Bobcats to claim their third conference tournament title in four years, 12-0 in five innings.

Head coach Ricci Woodard started off with a shake-up inside the circle. Senior pitcher Jodi Paige Williams got the start after junior pitcher Randi Rupp started both of Texas State's games on Friday. Williams was the victorious pitcher during Texas State's regular season win over Louisiana in San Marcos earlier this year. But this time, the senior couldn't make it out of the opening frame after loading the bases after two walks and a fielder's choice. Rupp relieved her in the middle of the inning after Aleah Craighton's RBI single on a 3-1 pitch. The misfortune continued for Texas State as freshman second base Bailee Carter committed three infield errors in the top of the opening frame that resulted in four runs for Louisiana and helped give the Cajuns a 5-0 cushion in the first. Senior Alex Cruz subbed in for Carter for the remainder of the day.

Rupp made it out of the second frame, but was pulled in the third in favor of Quincy Charleston during the bottom of the third. Sophomore and Ole Miss transfer Krista Jacobs also made her first appearance inside the circle since April 14 (also against Louisiana). Texas State committed five errors Saturday afternoon.

Another infield error and a three-RBI double from D.J. Sanders helped tack on six runs in the bottom of the third to blow the game open for Louisiana. 

Texas State only recorded two hits to Louisiana's six and only three of UL's 12 runs were earned. 

The Bobcats will wait to learn its NCAA Tournament destiny during the Selection Show Sunday at 10 p.m. on ESPN2.