LAFAYETTE, La. (Interstat) — Louisiana-Lafayette erupted for seven runs in the third inning and never looked back, routing Georgia State 14-1 on Saturday afternoon in the first game of a Sun Belt doubleheader at M. L. Tigue Moore Field.

The Ragin’ Cajuns improved to 28-18 overall and 28-18 in all competitions, while the Panthers dropped to 22-24.

Andrew Herrmann, the starting pitcher for Louisiana-Lafayette, earned the win with a dominant seven-inning performance. He allowed one earned run on five hits while striking out six batters without issuing a walk. Herrmann rebounded sharply from his previous outing on April 25, when he surrendered five earned runs on zero hits—with five strikeouts—in four innings against Arkansas State.

Georgia State jumped ahead in the top of the first inning when shortstop Maginnis singled in the infield, scoring the game’s first run. The lead lasted only until the bottom of the second, when Ragin’ Cajuns catcher Colt Brown launched a solo home run to deep center field, his fourth of the season, tying the game 1-1.

The pivotal sequence came in the third inning. After Georgia State starter Brian Crooms exited, relievers Petteys and Evans struggled to contain the Ragin’ Cajuns lineup. Brown drove in Amedee with a single, and designated hitter Steven Spalitta delivered an RBI single. A balk allowed Brown to score, and after a pitching change, third baseman Drew Markle doubled to left center to bring home LaSalle. Georgia State challenged a pickoff call on first base but the call was confirmed. The inning continued with walks and hit-by-pitches, and an error on a failed pickoff attempt by Georgia State first baseman Grantham scored two more unearned runs, capping the seven-run outburst that made it 10-1.

Louisiana-Lafayette added three more runs in the fourth inning, all unearned, when right fielder Donovan LaSalle crushed a three-run home run to deep left field, his eighth of the season. LaSalle finished 1 for 2 with the homer and three RBIs. Brown went 2 for 3 with a homer and two RBIs. Spalitta was 2 for 3 with an RBI. Markle also contributed two hits and two RBIs.

Georgia State managed five hits total. Left fielder Wesley Bass went 2 for 3 and hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, his second of the season. Designated hitter Cole Griffith doubled for the Panthers’ only extra-base hit besides the homer.

The Panthers’ pitching staff struggled with command, hitting four batters and walking three. Georgia State’s defense committed three errors, leading to four unearned runs. Brian Crooms took the loss, allowing four earned runs on zero hits in two innings with one strikeout. Reliever Joshua Evans faced only one batter and allowed an unearned run on no hits.

Louisiana-Lafayette’s offense totaled 10 hits, drew six walks, and stole four bases, including a double steal in the second inning when Spalitta stole home. The Ragin’ Cajuns put the game away early, building a 10-run lead by the middle of the fourth and coasting to the mercy-rule victory.

The game was the first of a doubleheader. Georgia State and Louisiana-Lafayette were scheduled to meet again later Saturday, then complete the series Sunday. Louisiana-Lafayette also has a midweek game Tuesday against New Orleans, while Georgia State visits Kennesaw State on Tuesday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Louisiana-Lafayette 7, Georgia State 6, and the Interstat ELO system gave the Ragin’ Cajuns a 66.90 percent probability to win.