MONROE, La. - The ULM softball team split a doubleheader in
its first Sun Belt Conference series at the ULM Softball Complex this season,
falling to Troy in the first game 4-3 before winning 2-1 in eight innings in
the night cap.
ULM moves to 13-11 overall and picked up its first league
win this year to improve to 1-4 in conference play. It also won its fifth
extra-inning contest of the season to hold a 5-1 record in extra frames, with
Troy falling to 3-2.
None of the Trojans (18-6, 1-1 Sun Belt) could manage
multiple hits for both contests, with nine different batters collecting only a
single hit.
Troy 4, ULM 3
Kayla Boening went 2-for-3 with a run and RBI to lead the Warhawks at the
plate. Miyuki Navarrete also had multiple hits in a 2-for-4 performance,
scoring a run of her own while stealing two bases.
Stephanie Routzon (3-7) was credited the loss after 2.1
innings in which she allowed two earned runs on three hits. Jessica Chastka
threw the final 4.2 innings, giving up just one earned run on five hits with
four strikeouts.
ULM made a run in the sixth inning, Navarrete reaching with
a single and stealing two bases followed by an Alexis Cacioppo walk. She stole
second and Janel Salanoa grounded out to score Navarrete, with a second run
coming off a chopper by Boening to end the inning just one short 4-3.
The two-run inning came in response to Troy's lone run in
the top of the frame to take a 4-1 advantage. Jaycee Affeldt nailed a single
over the second baseman's head to score Taylor Smartt.
The Warhawks got on the scoreboard when Boening and Charlotte
Pastor led off the fifth inning with a single and double. Haley McCall laid
down a sacrifice bunt to plate Boening and cut into Troy's lead 3-1.
Two Trojans got on base with a single and fielder's choice
to lead off the second inning, and a throwing error on the fielder's choice
allowed both runners to advance two bases and a run to score.
Back-to-back-singles followed, another run scoring to give Troy a 2-0 lead.
The bases loaded up in the third inning for the Trojans and
they pushed another run across home plate off a fielder's choice. Chastka
entered to pitch and got the final two outs to force Troy to strand three
runners.
Eight Trojans recorded a hit for the game, with Affeldt
providing one run and one RBI in a 1-for-4 outing. Ashley Rainey (8-2) earned
her eighth win of the season by giving up just one earned run on six hits.
ULM 2, Troy 1 (8)
Salanoa was on fire in the second game with a 3-for-4 effort that included a
double and a run. Navarrete had her second-straight 2-for-4 performance with
one run. Samantha Hamby pitched her third complete game of the year, allowing
just three hits and one earned run while fanning five batters.
Three scoreless innings forced extra frames, and the
Warhawks loaded the bases in the eighth with back-to-back singles and a walk.
Pastor came up to bat and took three straight balls, one strike being thrown
before the final run walked in to give ULM the 2-1 victory.
Salanoa started the scoring in the third inning when she belted
a double down the right field line, plating Navarrete after she got on with a
single and stole second.
Troy evened the score the following inning as Nikki Hollett
nailed a solo home run straight over center field, her third of the season.
Only three Trojans collected a hit, with Hollett providing
their only run and RBI in a 1-for-3 performance. Jaycee Affeldt threw the complete
game as well and allowed two earned runs on nine hits, also striking out five.
The rubber match of the three-game series takes place
tomorrow evening at 5 p.m. at the ULM Softball Complex.
