ULM Warhawks

MONROE, La. ? The Warhawks softball team had its chances, but couldn't capitalize on four North Texas errors in falling in the rubber match of the conference opening series, 4-2, on Sunday afternoon at the ULM Softball Complex.

The Warhawks had Mean Green starter Jennifer Smith (4-4) on the ropes, but stranded eight base runners on the afternoon, including three in scoring position.

“We had some runners in scoring position today, but just couldn't string together hits,” ULM softball head coach Rosemary Holloway-Hill said. “We have to do a better job of capitalizing on opportunities when we are given them. Defensively we played well, but we made some mistakes and just didn't make the most of the chances North Texas gave us.”

North Texas (9-14, 2-1 Sun Belt) got on the board in the top of the first half inning after Katya Mueller hit a homer off a two-strike pitch to lead off the game. Senior Lindsay Rittenhouse (3-6) fanned the next two before escaping the inning with runners on second and third.

ULM (7-13, 1-2 Sun Belt) would answer back and take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning after back-to-back two-out hits to drive a pair of runs home. After freshman Molly McNeill and senior Jamie Liles walked, freshman Brittany Brasell doubled to drive home the first run. One batter later, freshman Jessica Olguin knocked Liles home for the Warhawks only lead.

The Mean Green tied the score in the top of the third after Kristina Fowler tripled home a run with two outs. UNT would grab the lead for good in the fifth inning after Mariza Martinez hit a solo home run to left centerfield.

North Texas added an insurance run in the sixth inning for the final 4-2 score.

ULM made it interesting in the bottom of the seventh inning by putting runners on first and second with only one out. A strikeout and deep fly ball ended the threat and helped North Texas claim the 2-1 series victory.