LAFAYETTE, La. – An eight-run fifth inning for Texas State (18-25, 8-8 Sun Belt) was the difference as the Bobcats took the series opener 9-3 Friday night over Louisiana (22-19, 8-8 Sun Belt) at Russo Park.
 
Zachary Leigh (4-5) earned his fourth win in his last five starts as he struck out four in seven innings while giving up three runs on seven hits. Spenser Arrighetti (6-4) took the loss after surrendering nine runs on 11 hits, both season-highs.
 
At the plate, Dalton Shuffield was 3-for-4 and fell a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. Posting two base knocks apiece was Will Hollis, Tucker Redden and Jaxon Williams. Both Cole Coffey and John Wuthrich drove in three runs and Chase Evans finished with two RBI.
 
Hollis led off the game by popping up the first pitch. A miscommunication between the third baseman and shortstop allowed the ball to drop for a single. The senior outfielder would advance to third on two wild pitches but was left stranded.
 
The second began with Shuffield hitting a triple off the left field wall. It was the seventh triple of his career to tie for 14th in program history. The shortstop would score when Coffey hit a sacrifice fly to left to put the Bobcats up 1-0.
 
UL took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the inning. The second run came on a delayed double steal that saw the runner on the third run out of the base path to avoid a tag and the umpires allowed the run to stand.
 
With two outs in the fifth Redden laced a double down the left field line just past the reach of the third baseman. His hit was the first of nine straight for TXST as the team scored eight runs. Three of the runs came on the first home run of the season by John Wuthrich. Both Coffey and Evans drove in two runs each on singles as well.
 
Redden and Williams led off with back-to-back singles to make it 11-consecutive at bats with a hit as the fifth ended on a runner caught attempting to steal second. The hit streak would end on a double play.
 
The Cajuns cut into the deficit with a solo home run by Tyler Robertson in the seventh to make it 9-3 TXST advantage.
 
Bush would throw two scoreless innings to wrap-up the game.
 
Saturday will see the teams play a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. as Sunday's game was moved due to forecasted inclement weather.
 
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