MONROE, La. - Kandace Causey was again superb
in the circle striking out a season-high 10 batters, but North Texas claimed
the rubber game, 3-2, in the Sun Belt Conference season-opening series between
both teams.
Causey allowed just four baserunners in the first
four innings, before North Texas took a lead it wouldn't relinquish off a Renae
Bromley two-run home run over the left-field wall in the fifth inning. Bromley
fought off 11 pitches before connecting on the long ball.
Brianna Love paced ULM (8-11, 1-2) with a
2-for-2 performance, to go along with a run scored, a double, and stole two
bases. In all four of Love's plate appearances she reached base. Melissa Rivera
also tallied two hits in the game and drove in a run. Robin Biddle scored the
Warhawks first run of the game.
Bromley finished with a 1-for-2 performance
at the plate for North Texas (9-9, 2-1), while driving in two runs and scoring
once. Four other Mean Green hitters tallied a base hit.
Defensively, North Texas turned four double
plays in the game, but committed five errors. ULM on the other hand, left 10
runners on base and 23 in the three-game series.
Ashley Lail (3-3) picked up the complete game
victory after striking out seven and walking two. She gave up two runs, both
unearned, on five hits.
ULM took the first lead of the contest in the
second frame when Melissa Rivera laced a 2-0 pitch off the base of the
left-center-field wall. Robin Biddle scored on the hit as a pinch runner to
give the Warhawks a 1-0 advantage.
Anna Barren scored on Brombley's bomb, after
entering as a pinch runner for Courtney Bradshaw who walked in the fifth.
Love began the bottom of the seventh with a
walk for ULM. She was then sacrificed to second on a bunt by Sarah Carriger and
reached third on a groundout. Love would score the Warhawks second run of the
game on a Mean Green fielding error.
Causey (2-2) took the loss after giving up
three runs, all earned, on five hits. She also walked two in the complete game
effort.
ULM returns to action on Wednesday with a 6
p.m. non-conference matchup with Centenary. The contest is the only showdown of
the season with the I-20 rival.
