THE BASICS
Scores: ULM 10, Grambling 1
ULM 1, SIUE 2
Teams: ULM (3-1)
Grambling (0-4)
SIUE (4-0)
Location: Monroe, La. (Geo-Surfaces Field)
Monroe, La. - The ULM softball team split a pair of games on day two of the Mardi Gras Classic on Saturday, first grabbing a 10-1 five inning win over Grambling before a 2-1 loss to SIUE in extra innings late into the night.
TURNING POINTS
-Against Grambling, ULM scored in four of the five innings offensively and Paige Porter allowed just two hits. The Warhawks finished with eight hits and were able to capitalize on eight Grambling errors.
-In the nightcap with SIUE, the Warhawks were scoreless through nine innings before the Cougars broke through in the top of the 10th as Allison Smiley and Sarah Lopesilvero drove in two runs to give SIUE a two-run lead. The Warhawks tacked on a run in the bottom of the frame before SIUE stranded two ULM baserunners to end the night.
NOTABLES
-Vanessa Garcia finished 2-for-3 as part of ULM's eight total hits against Grambling, while Ana Hogan drove in two RBI in her lone at-bat. Garcia, Sam Agamaite and Jayden Mount each tallied one RBI in the win.
-Porter earned the win in the circle against Grambling, pitching four innings and allowing only one hit and one run, which came in the top of the fourth.
-ULM and SIUE were locked in a pitcher's duel for most of the night, as the Warhawks finished with four hits - tallied by Sydney McKay, Jessie Watts, Mount and Hogan. Hogan drove in the lone run in the bottom of the 10th as part of the comeback effort.
-Melanie Coyne was saddled with the tough-luck loss after allowing four hits, two hit batters and a walk while striking out four batters and giving up the two runs in the top of the 10th inning.
FROM COACH LYON
"I was very pleased with the way that the girls came out and jumped on both teams tonight. We played with great tempo and really forced the other teams in to making mistakes that we were able to capitalize on. I thought we were very aggressive but smart at the plate and did a good job of hitting the pitches that were left on the plate. Both Rachael and Mel had great command and made good pitches to let the defense work for them. We couldn't ask for two better games to open up the season with. While we would have liked to get two wins today, I am very proud of the fight we showed in both games. We had some young players really step up and deliver some clutch performances. Once again, we got great pitching and played very good defense. I think we can take a lot of good things from today's games."
UP NEXT
The Warhawks help close out the Mardi Gras Classic on Sunday when they host Northwestern in the final game of the tournament with first pitched slated for noon at Geo-Surfaces Field.
