MONROE, La. ? The ULM softball team opened the 20th Annual Mardi Gras Classic in a big way, downing Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a 12-3 run rule in the third game of the afternoon. Senior Callie Baker, sophomore Michelle Farrell-Fink and freshman Melissa Rivera drove in a pair of runs each to lead the Warhawks to the win.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff got on the board first, capitalizing on a pair of Warhawk errors in the opening frame to grab a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom half of the frame ULM (3-3) put the game out of reach, crossing the plate four times. Leading 2-1, Farrell-Fink roped a double into left centerfield to drive home a pair and give the Warhawks a lead they would not relinquish.
“We got off to a slow start tonight and committed too many errors early,” ULM head coach Rosemary Holloway-Hill said. “I was proud of the girls for coming back and making a real statement on offense. We changed the momentum of the game quickly and were able to get away with the win.”
After not scoring in the second inning, the Warhawks picked up four runs in the third inning and another five in the fourth. Rivera provided the winning shot for ULM on a two-RBI single in the bottom of the fourth.
The Warhawks return to the diamond on Saturday at 10 a.m. when they face Iowa State. ULM will also play at 12 p.m. against Southeast Missouri and at 5 p.m. against Central Arkansas. Tournament action begins at 8 a.m. when Arkansas-Pine Bluff faces Iowa State.
