MONROE, La. ? A seventh-inning rally came up inches short for the Warhawks in the series finale against Troy at the ULM Softball Complex on Sunday afternoon. The visiting Trojans were able to fend off a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the seventh and plate a pair in the eighth for a 4-2 win.
Trojan outfielder Heidi Johnson made a snow cone catch running backwards in deep centerfield with one out and the bases loaded to limit the Warhawks to a single run on the play. The Warhawks would ground out four pitches later to end the threat and send the game to an extra frame.
“We put ourselves in an opportunity to win today,” ULM softball head coach Rosemary Holloway-Hill said. “It didn't end the way we wanted to, but I thought we put ourselves in the position to win this game. I was proud of the way we fought back and never hung our heads.”
ULM (9-17, 1-5 Sun Belt) started the inning off with a walk by senior Calli Baker. In the next at bat freshman Christy McDannell was hit in the helmet with a pitch to put runners on first and second. After an out freshman Melissa Rivera loaded the bases with a two-strike infield single to third bases.
With the bases loaded, freshman Brianna Love worked an 0-2 count into a walk to drive the Warhawks first run in. ULM's next batter, freshman Molly McNeill crushed a ball to deep centerfield that was caught feet short of the wall for the second out. Senior Christy Waguespack scored on the play while senior Cary Roussel scurried back to second to avoid being double up.
A pair of runners were on base, but ULM couldn't power any more home in the frame.
In the eighth Troy (17-13, 4-2 Sun Belt) put the leadoff runner on base after a bang-bang play. A stolen base, wild pitch and passed ball allowed Kala Moore to score with the go-ahead run. The Trojans would add an insurance run to wrap up the scoring.
The Trojans carried a 2-0 lead into the final frames after picking up two-out RBI in the first and fourth innings.
Sophomore Kandace Causey (4-6) was tagged with the loss after allowing four earned runs through eight innings of play. The Denham Springs, La.-native fanned eight in the effort. For the Trojans, Ashlyn Williams (14-7) was credited with the win, her third of the series.
“Kandace finished well enough for us to win the game,” Holloway-Hill said. “You can't ask for much more than what she did for us today and unfortunately Troy was able to manufacture a few runs.”
ULM finished the game with nine runners left on base, including four left in scoring position.
The Warhawks will return to action on Tuesday, March 18 when they travel to Ruston, La. to continue the season series against I-20 rival Louisiana Tech at 6 p.m. ULM will be looking to break into the win column against the Lady Techsters this season when the teams face for the fourth time.
