Hannah Campbell No-Hits No. 21 Louisiana-Lafayette as South Alabama Softball Sets Wins Record

TROY, Ala. — South Alabama’s Hannah Campbell threw the second no-hitter of her career Thursday evening, striking out 13 in an eight-inning win over No. 21 Louisiana-Lafayette at the Sun Belt Conference Softball Tournament.

The victory ended the Ragin’ Cajuns’ 23-game winning streak and gave the Jaguars their 43rd win of the season, a new program record. The game was a rematch of the teams’ meeting in last year’s Sun Belt championship game.

Lone Hit Decides It in the Eighth

The game was scoreless through seven innings. In the top of the eighth, Louisiana-Lafayette ace Jordan Wallace walked freshman designated player Emily Messer. With two outs, senior outfielder Britany Campbell lined a 2-2 pitch up the middle to score Messer from first base.

Britany Campbell’s single was South Alabama’s only hit of the game, and Messer’s run was the game’s only run.

Wallace struck out 10 Jaguars.

Disputed Call in the Seventh

Louisiana-Lafayette nearly broke up the no-hitter in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Cajuns’ leadoff batter hit a ball to left-center field and reached second base, but she was ruled out on appeal for failing to touch first base. Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Michael Lotief argued the call with the umpires, but the ruling stood.

Dominant in the Circle

Hannah Campbell did not allow a hit or a walk. Her 13 strikeouts were a season high.

Semifinal Next

South Alabama advances to Game 12 of the tournament, a semifinal set for 5:30 p.m. Friday. The Jaguars will face the winner of Game 10, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. between No. 4 seed North Texas and No. 7 seed Troy.

The semifinal winner will earn a place in the Sun Belt Conference championship game, scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday.