SAN MARCOS, Tx. (KLFY) -- Freshman Emily Smith polished off her first four-hit game as a collegiate softball player with the game-winning RBI single in the eighth inning of the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball team’s 5-4 win over Texas State on Friday, April 25 at Bobcat Softball Stadium in San Marcos, Texas.

Smith’s go-ahead knock set up Louisiana (24-23, 10-9 SBC) for its fifth consecutive Sun Belt Conference victory that was sealed by Sam Roe turning a game-ending double play the following half inning.

The Ragin’ Cajuns finished the night where they started – out in front of the Bobcats (30-17, 12-7 SBC).

Bases-loaded singles from Kayla Falterman (1-for-4, 2 RBI) and Erin Ardoin (1-for-3, RBI) in the first inning staked UL out to a quick 2-0 lead. Texas State responded with a three-spot in the bottom half off of two-out hits from Ciara Trahan and Megan Kelnar.

The Bobcats’ lead, extended to 4-2 on a third inning sac fly, lasted until the fifth inning. Dayzja Williams (3-for-4) and Smith (4-for-5, RBI) led off the top of the fifth with back-to-back singles, setting the stage for the two runs that would score on Falterman’s misplayed grounder and forge a 4-all tie.

Mallory Wheeler (5.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 K) induced a lineout and groundout after the Bobcats placed runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the fifth to preserve the tie.

The first pitch thrown by Tyra Clary (2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R) in her relief effort resulted in a lineout to second base for the final out of the sixth inning that left Texas State with the bases loaded.

The Bobcats were able to extend the game after working out of a bases-loaded, no-outs jam in the top of the seventh. Clary answered with a corresponding zero on the board after Trahan’s leadoff single in the bottom half.

Mia Norwood opened the eighth with a pinch-hit single and Maddie Hayden reached on an error, creating traffic and extending the frame long enough for Smith to have an appearance at the plate.

Smith moved up to 35 RBI on the season, adding to her lead as she seeks to become the first true freshman to lead the team in RBI since 2004 (Holly Tankersley). The four-hit effort pushed her conference play hits total to a team-best 24 hits and her league play average to .444.

The Cajuns tallied a conference-play best 14 base hits, a combined seven from Williams and Smith at the top of the lineup.

Louisiana came away victorious in a one-run game for the second straight time and won a SBC series opener in extra innings for the second straight weekend. The Cajuns moved to 4-1 in extra innings.

The win moved UL up another spot in the SBC standings and into a tie for sixth place with App State. The Cajuns also moved within one game of third place.

UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA

The Ragin’ Cajuns return to Bobcat Softball Stadium in San Marcos, Texas on Saturday, April 26 for Game 2 of the SBC series with Texas State. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

It’ll be the first of two opportunities that Louisiana has to capture the series victory.

Live coverage is available on ESPN+, the Ragin' Cajuns Radio Network (The Goat 103.3 FM/1420 AM and Varsity Sports app) and CajunStats.com.

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