From the Bird’s Nest: Great game, not a great outcome

I've said it many times.

As a lover of the game of baseball, give me a 2-1 game over a 10-9 game anytime.

Well, almost anytime.

I'd rather have a 10-9 win than a 2-1 loss.

A beautiful day in Bowling Green and a beautiful pitching performance by Joe Zimmerman were ruined by the Cajuns' inability to score runs in a 2-1 loss to Western Kentucky at Nick Denes Field on Saturday afternoon.

But, unlike Friday night, the Cajuns had their chances in this one.

Western took a 1-0 lead off Zimmerman in the second inning on a two out double by Chris Bullard over the head of Daniel Nichols in left field.  That scored Kes Carter from first base and got the Toppers on the board,.

THe Cajuns had a chance to tie it in the third when Michael Strentz and Jordan Bourque both singled with one out.  Alex Fuselier than hit a shot headed up the middle, but starting pitcher Tanner Perkins flagged it down and started a double play to get out of the inning.

The Cajuns had another chance in the fourth when Mike Petello walked with one out.  Lance Marvel singled with two out and Nichols reached on an error to load the bases.  But Tyler Frederick hit into a force play to end the threat.

Meanwhile, Zimmerman was turning in his best performance as a Cajun.  After Bullard's RBI single in the second, the junior righthander didn't allow a baserunner until a two out walk to Ivan Hartle in the sixth.  Zimmerman finished the day after six innings, allowing three hits and a walk.

The Cajuns finally broke through in the sixth against Perkins.  With one out, Petello got an infield hit and scored on Lance Marvel's two out triple to dead center off the base of the wall.  Nichols then walked to put runners at the corners, but Frederick flied out and the Cajuns had to settle for one run.

Louisiana had another chance in the eighth off reliever Ross Hammonds.  Petello got his second infield hit and went to third on Jordan Porrier's single to right.  But Marvel grounded to third and Casey Dykes started a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.  It was a bang-bang play at first that got a reaction from Marvel and first base coach Brooks Badeaux.

The Toppers got the winner in the eighth on three straight singles off Joey Satriano (2-2).  Matt Rice had the game winner, a sharp single to left field that scored Jared Andreoli.

Phil Wetherell came in and got the Cajuns in order in the ninth for his third save.

Western had one chance to score after the second and made the most of it.  The Cajuns have had hits, but the bottom line is they've only scored four runs in the three games this week.

Sunday the Cajuns try to avoid the sweep.  T. J. Geith, who has pitched well in conference play, will get the start for Louisiana.

The Cajuns and I badly need a win to salvage some of the weekend.

Even if it's 10-9.