LAFAYETTE, La. -- Miyuki Navarrete became ULM's all-time steals leader Sunday when she stole her 84th career base in the top of the third, passing Amy Pezdek's previous record of 83. Unfortunately, the day would not go the Warhawks' (22-25, 6-14 Sun Belt) as No. 14 UL-Lafayette (41-7-1, 19-1 Sun Belt) used a big fifth inning to hand ULM a 9-3 loss at Lasmon Park.
The Ragin' Cajuns struck first, plating two in the bottom of the first. Lexi Elkins hit a two-run single into left, cashing in on a pair of leadoff singles and a Warhawk error.
The contest remained 2-0 until the top of the fifth, when Rochelle Roberts hit an RBI infield single that scored Sidney Coy.
Then, the UL-L offense exploded for five runs in the fifth inning, capped by Gabrielle Felps' two-run single.
ULM was able to score two runs on an two-out error in the top of the sixth, but the Cajuns would get those more runs on back-to-back homers in the bottom of the sixth.
Strong defense kept the Warhawks in the contest early on as the team was able to turn two double plays in the early going. The first came in the bottom of the first. The Cajuns already had a 2-0 lead, but reliever Jessica Colliver was able to work out of a jam when she forced UL-L's Shellie Landry to line into a double play that ended the frame.
Colliver once again worked out of trouble in the bottom of the second. The Ragin' Cajuns had runners at second and third with only one away, but Faith Bohack caught a screaming line drive off the bat of Corin Voinche and made an easy toss over to Amye Barre at third to end the inning.
ULM earned the sixth seed in the Sun Belt Tournament, matching its highest-ever finish. The Warhawks get the honor of starting the tournament against Troy at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Lasmon Park.
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