LAFAYETTE, La. – In the first game of the 2017 Sun Belt Conference schedule, right-handed pitcher Travis Holden gave 14th-ranked Louisiana all it could handle in his first career complete game, but cold bats failed Appalachian State University baseball as it fell 3-0 on Friday night at Russo Park.
The Mountaineers (8-10, 0-1 Sun Belt) went 4-28 on the night while two home runs by the Ragin' Cajuns (10-5, 1-0 Sun Belt) would make the difference in an otherwise deadlocked game.
Junior Holden went 8.0 innings, striking out four batters while just allowing nine hits and three runs in 36 batters faced. One shy of his career-high five strikeouts, Holden held Louisiana scoreless for six of eight innings with the help of another strong defensive outing for Appalachian.
Leading the way offensively for the Black and Gold was Matt Vernon. Vernon finished the night going 2-3 while also drawing a walk on the night. Drake Zupcic had one hit in two at-bats, also drawing a walk, while Jason Curtis had the first hit of the night in his first at-bat, finishing 1-4 overall.
The Mountaineers will reset for Game Two against No. 14 Louisiana on Saturday, March 18 at 3 p.m. eastern. Fans can stream and listen all the games this weekend for free. For links, head over to the schedule page on appstatesports.com/baseball.
