No. 13 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns defeated Princeton for the second time in two days, 2-1, clinching a spot in the Lafayette Regional championship against Baylor.

The Ragin’ Cajuns started sophomore Chloe Riassetto in the circle for the second time in as many days against the Tigers, and she was great once again pitching a complete eight innings with just four hits allowed, one strikeout, no walks and one run allowed.

MORE: Louisiana softball advances to Lafayette Regional semifinals after defeating Princeton on Friday

MORE: UL-Lafayette softball: scouting report for the Lafayette Regional in the NCAA Tournament

Louisiana began its scoring in the second inning with a bases loaded sac fly from sophomore catcher Victoria Valdez, bringing in a run and giving the Ragin’ Cajuns an early 1-0 lead.

The Tigers responded right away with a two-out single to center field to tie the game at one at the bottom of the third inning.

There was no scoring from either team until the eighth inning where junior Alexa Langeliers began the inning with a triple, which then led to a sacrifice fly from Cecelia Vazquez to give the Rajun’ Cajuns the 2-1 win.

With tonight’s win, Louisiana advances to the Lafayette Regional final where they will face Baylor in a rematch of Saturday’s matchup where the Bears mercy ruled the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Since it is double elimination, Louisiana must win two games against the Bears to be Lafayette Regional champions, while the Bears need to win just once to be the champions.

The time for the championship is to be determined.

WACO, Texas (KWTX) – The Baylor softball team pulled off a shutout victory Saturday, beating No. 13 University of Louisiana 8-0 in five innings.

After a scoreless first inning, the Bears offense erupted in the second inning with 7 runs.

Baylor’s Sydney Collazos got the scoring started after advancing to first on an error by Louisiana’s first baseman, allowing Ana Watson to score.

The Bears secured the win in the fifth inning after Baylor’s Shaylon Govan hit a homerun into left field, prompting the NCAA’s “run-ahead” rule.

The NCAA’s “run-ahead” rule in D1 softball states that if a team is winning by eight or more runs after at least five innings have been played, the umpire can declare the team leading as the winners.

Baylor’s pitcher RyLee Crandall picked up the win, getting three strikeouts and only allowing two hits the entire game.

Copyright 2024 KWTX. All rights reserved.

With regards to “Doctors plead with Congress to help improve U.S. maternal mortality rate,” by Jennifer Shutt, May 3, 2024.

Our nation is failing its mothers. In Louisiana, Black mothers are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white mothers. Worse, still, is the fact that 92% of these deathsmay have been preventable.

As States Newsroom reports, health care experts have pleaded with Congress for “creative ideas” to address these maternal health disparities. Specifically, the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act combines thirteen individual bills to provide sweeping maternal healthcare reform. While the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act is a crucial step in reducing maternal mortality, this legislation omits a creative and cost-effective solution that has a proven record of improving health outcomes and equitability—doula care.

Doulas are trained professionals that provide physical and emotional support to mothers before, during and after birth. Doulas reduce the risk of medical interventions, which leads to better birth outcomes for the mother and the child. Specifically, a doula can reduce the rate of a risky C-section by 40% and can reduce the risk of a low-birth-weight delivery by nearly 10%.

These benefits are amplified for women that are marginalized or may encounter barriers in the healthcare system. This is because doulas serve as advocates, which is essential for Black women and people of color that face discrimination and biases in our healthcare system. Doulas are also empowering, as they ensure that a mother’s voice is heard and body is respected during birth.

Doula care can complement current health initiatives such as the expansion of HBCU medical schools and the reduction of financial barriers for future doctors. In increasing the number of doulas, we will not only address the medical side of birth, but the emotional side, too.

As Louisiana citizens dream up creative ideas to solve the maternal health crisis, let them not overlook the importance of doulas in providing equitable and essential care.

• Amelia Hartshorn, Hanover, New Hampshire