MONROE, La. - Janel Salanoa's first home run
of her career was a special one, a game-winning two-run blast that propelled the
ULM softball team to a 5-4 victory over Northwestern State in the ULM Mardi
Gras Classic finale on Sunday afternoon.
The Warhawks fought back from a 4-0 deficit
in the third frame with five runs over the final four innings. After Roxy
Cassel earned a base-on-balls, Salanoa ripped a 3-1 fastball over the center
field wall to cap the dramatic come from behind win.
Salanoa finished 2-for-4 in the contest with
three RBI and a run scored, while Katie Girardi concluded the game 2-for-3,
including her first home run of the season. Cassel also scored twice and hit a
double for ULM (3-0).
"Janel was a huge contributor for us this
weekend," head coach Rosemary Holloway-Hill said. "It wasn't a surprise to me
that she was able to come up big in a tight situation, because I have seen her
do it many times when I was recruiting her."
Heather Fritz picked up her second win in as
many days, after tossing five innings of scoreless ball. She struck out six to
earn ULM Mardi Gras Classic MVP honors.
"I think we matured a lot this weekend," Holloway-Hill
said. "We had a no-quite attitude that is very satisfying to see as a head
coach. I was not only impressed with our ability at the plate, but with our
clutch pitching from Fritz."
Fritz entered in the third with two runners
on and struck out the final two batters to get out of the jam. She then went on
to shut down the Lady Demons over the final 12 outs. She gave up just six hits
and didn't allow a credited run to cross the plate.
"She was a savior not only today for us, but
the entire weekend," Holloway-Hill said. "She trusted her defense and had a
blue-collar work ethic each time she went out there. Fritz showed great poise
and control."
Kayla Cole paced Northwestern State (2-1)
with a 3-for-3 night, to go along with two RBI, a double, and a run scored. Samantha
Roberts added a pair of base hits for the Lady Demons.
Northwestern State jumped ahead 2-0 in the
opening frame with a two-run blast over the right-center field wall by Cole. Randi
Stuard was driven home on the long ball, after she reached on a single through
the left side.
The Lady Demons followed with a run in the
second and third frames to take a 4-0 lead. Ashleigh Kune led off the second
frame with walk and was driven home by Taylor McLoughlin's RBI single through
the right side. Northwestern State advanced runners to second and third after
they reached on a pair of walks and a wild pitch. Ashlee England then drove in Leslie
Johnson on a line shot single down the left field line in the third.
Cassel ripped a double off the left-center
field wall, before Salanoa hit a RBI double of her own to left center field.
The run cut ULM's deficit to 4-1 after three-and-a-half innings. The Warhawks were
designated as the visiting team on the scoreboard because of tournament
pairings.
Girardi smoked a full-count fast ball for the
Warhawks over the left field fence in the fifth frame. The homer was her first
of the season and cut the ULM deficit to two runs. Sarah Carriger followed with
a double down the left-field line before Brianna Love's single up the middle
drove in the Warhawks third run of the contest, 4-3.
Kylie Roos took the loss after throwing five
innings and allowing five hits and three earned runs.
The Warhawks hit the road for a Wednesday
matchup with No. 13/18 LSU in Baton Rouge, La., inside Tiger Stadium. It will be the seventh meeting between the two
programs.
***
Mardi Gras Classic All-Tournament Team ***
Heather Fritz was named tournament MVP after
finishing with a 0.62 ERA, two wins, 10 strikeouts, allowed just one run, and opposing
hitters hit just .250 against her.
Cassel, Love, and Salanoa picked up
all-tournament honors after leading the Warhawks with stellar offensive
numbers.
Cassel finished with a 1.100 slugging
percentage, .692 on-base percentage, .600 batting average, five runs scored, three
RBI, three walks, and two doubles.
Love batted .444 at the plate, to go along
with a 1.111 slugging percentage, .615 on-base percentage, four RBI, four
walks, and two home runs.
Salanoa hit .545, to go along with a .909
slugging percentage, .583 on-base percentage, five RBI, two stolen bases, walk,
double, and a home run.
Mardi Gras Classic
All-Tournament Team
Most Valuable Player
ULM
- Heather Fritz
All-Tournament
ULM
- Heather Fritz
ULM
- Roxy Cassel
ULM
- Brianna Love
ULM
- Janel Salanoa
NWST
- Kayla Cole
NWST
- Kylie Roos
NWST
- Samantha Roberts
UMKC
- Anna Sokolik
UMKC
- Deanna Friese
SEMO
- Carmen Fowler
JSU
- Tynett Sims
