LAFAYETTE, La. ? The ULM softball team struggled to find the strike zone early against No. 16 Louisiana-Lafayette in a 10-0 final against in Lafayette, La. in the league set finale at Cajun Park Sunday afternoon.
ULM (19-36, 9-15 Sun Belt) walked four in the opening inning, including three of the first four batters, and committed a pair of errors to allow the Ragin' Cajuns to build a 7-0 lead after one frame. ULL (42-12, 19-3 Sun Belt) picked up only three hits in the opening inning.
The Ragin' Cajuns added a run in the second inning and another two in the third to push their lead to 10-0.
Freshman Brianna Love provided the highlights for the Warhawks after going above the fence to rob Gabriele Bridges of a two-run homer. The Garland, Texas-native got the ball back in quickly and teamed with freshman Melissa Rivera to double off the runner at first base.
In only her second start of the season, senior Shanna Swillie (L, 0-2) was chased after 2/3 of an inning and allowing only two earned runs. The first six runs were charged to the West Monroe, La.-native
Freshman Heather Fritz (ND) came on in relief and worked 3 1/3 innings allowing only a pair of earned runs while striking out five.
Brittany Cuevas (W, 5-2) entered the game in the third inning for starter Donna Bourgeois (ND) and worked the final three innings for the victory. Cuevas retired all nine Warhawks she faced including five via the punch-out.
With the loss, the Warhawks fall to the seventh seed in the conference tournament and will face second seeded Florida Atlantic in the opening round on Wednesday, May 7. Check back at www.ULMathletics.com for a complete tournament schedule available Monday afternoon.
