MONROE, La. – The ULM softball team outscored its opponents a combined 19-3 to earn a 2-0 start to the ULM Mardi Gras Classic on Friday at the ULM Softball Complex. The Warhawks claimed back-to-back five-inning mercy rule wins in an 11-3 victory over Southeast Missouri State before shutting out Northwestern State 8-0 in the nightcap.
Brianna Love headlined the evening for the Warhawks after going a combined 3-for-4 with two hits and five runs including a leadoff triple and four stolen bases. Janel Salanoa had one of two home runs on the day and collected six RBI and three runs along with a team-high three doubles while Katie Girardi nailed the other home run for ULM.
In the circle, Tiffany Mills picked up the win against Southeast Missouri State (0-2) with five innings of work while Stephanie Routzon picked up her first career win in the circle after five innings against Northwestern State (1-1).
In its first game, ULM (2-0) had two huge four-run innings highlighted by Salanoa's home run which scored three runners in the second inning. A Southeast Missouri State home run in the third inning gave the Redhawks their only three runs of the game before a run by Love in the fifth inning forced a mercy-rule end to the game.
The Warhawks exploded with five runs in the third inning against Northwestern State which included two RBI on a Salanoa double to grab a 6-0 lead. Routzon held the Demons scoreless in a five-strikeout, two-walk performance as Girardi homered and Elena DiMattia scored ULM's last run for its second mercy-rule win in just as many games.
Game One Recap:
Love highlighted the first game for ULM with four runs and two hits in two at-bats including a triple. Jessica Olguin and Roxy Cassel each drove home three and two runs, respectively, while Salanoa drove in four RBI. Mills recorded her first win of the season after pitching all five innings in a three-run performance that included six strikeouts and three walks.
Taylor Cowan had one run and three RBIs with a homerun in three at-bats for the Redhawks while Carmen Fowler and Melissa Walker each also scored one run.
Love led off the first inning with a triple to right field before Olguin singled down the third base line. Love scored on a fielder's choice before a passed ball also allowed Olguin to reach home.
An Olguin RBI double scored Love from second base to spark a four-run second inning for ULM. Cassel reached on a fielding error and stole second base before Salanoa belted a three-RBI home run over the left-center field wall to take a 5-0 advantage.
Southeast Missouri State put its only runs on the board in the third inning as Walker singled and Fowler walked before Cowan nailed the Redhawks' only homerun of the game over left field to slice ULM's lead 6-3.
After reaching first on a walk, Love advanced to home on two throwing errors by the catcher before a Cassel double brought Olguin home. Cassel and Miyuki Navarette each added runs of their own for a four-run fourth inning to extend ULM's lead 10-3.
Love added the final run required for the 11-3 mercy rule-shortened victory in the fifth inning after singling to left center. She then stole second and third base before Salanoa hit an RBI double to left center field to drive her home.
Game Two Recap:
Salanoa led the way for the Warhawks in their second game of the day with a perfect 3-for-3 performance which included two runs, two RBI and one hit with two doubles. Cassel went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run while Girardi had the lone home run of the game. Routzon picked up her first career win in the circle after pitching all five innings with five strikeouts, two walks and four hits.
Tarass McKenney led Northwestern State with a 2-for-3 performance at home plate. Kelee Grimes earned the loss in the circle after pitching two innings and allowing three hits, six runs (four of which were earned) and two walks with two strikeouts.
A scoreless game persisted until the second inning when Salanoa reached first on an error and eventually scored on a wild pitch to put ULM up 1-0.
The Warhawks broke out in the third inning with five runs. Love and Navarette each scored first off of errors. Olguin walked and Cassel fired a single to right center field before a two-run double by Salanoa drove Olguin and Cassel home. Salanoa scored on an Ayala ground out to give ULM a 6-0 lead.
Girardi tacked on a run in the fourth inning with a solo-home run over the left field wall. ULM added its final run in the fifth inning after Di Mattia entered the game to pinch run for Ayala who reached on a walk. Di Mattia stole second base before Melissa Rivera's double brought Di Mattia home and allowed ULM to claim its second mercy-rule victory of the day with an 8-0 win.
ULM continues play in the Mardi Gras Classic tomorrow when its plays Southeast Missouri State at 2 p.m. followed by a game against Indiana State a 4 p.m.
