MOBILE, Ala. - A hot start fell flat for the ULM softball
team as it dropped the second game of a doubleheader to South Alabama Saturday evening
at Jaguar Field 7-2. The Jaguars secured the series win and the Warhawks drop
to 12-9 overall and 0-2 to begin Sun Belt Conference play.
Janel Salanoa was the only Warhawk to collect multiple hits
going 2-for-3. Only three other ULM players secured a hit, including Miyuki
Navarrete and Alexis Cacioppo who each went 1-for-3 with one run. Cacioppo also
provided two RBIs.
Haylie Wilson (6-2) was credited the loss in the circle
after starting the first 4.0 innings of the game, allowing three earned runs on
six hits. Jessica Chastka threw the final two innings and gave up three hits
and three earned runs while fanning two batters.
The Warhawks came out on fire to start the game, Navarrete leading
off with a double and advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt. Cacioppo followed
with her fourth home run of the season and the first for ULM this year which
remained in the park. It went deep into the right field corner to take an early
two run lead.
South Alabama's Haley Richards quickly answered ULM in the
next inning, nailing a home run of her own over the left field wall to score
two runs and tie the game. Britany Campbell gave the Jaguars the go-ahead run
by reaching with a bunt and advancing around the bases on a steal, error and
wild pitch.
The Jaguars added another run in the fourth inning, using a sacrifice
fly by Campbell to allow Haley Hopkins to tag up.
Runs continued to mount for South Alabama in the fifth
inning after loading the bases with three straight singles and no outs. Blair
Johnson made it home on a fielder's choice followed by a sacrifice fly to
center field, and Hopkins moved the score to 7-2 on a wild pitch.
Richards had the only other multi-hit performance of the
evening, going 2-for-3 with one run and two RBIs. Hopkins also went 1-for-3
with a game-high two runs and one RBI. Katy Neal (4-1) earned the win after
relieving starter Jessica Dobson following just two outs, giving up only two
hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
ULM and South Alabama meet for the final game of the series
tomorrow afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m.
