CONWAY, Ark. – After the rain had subsided and the ULM Warhawks were given the opportunity to lace up their cleats for the ninth time this season, they did not disappoint. The Warhawks defeated Coppin State, 16-7, Friday (Feb. 23) during Day 1 of the UCA Invitational.
"I was really happy with our offensive output tonight," said head coach Corey Lyons. "We turned it on and really played our type of offensive game. Ten extra base hits in six innings is a great night. I'm glad to get this win behind us and have the opportunity to move on to tomorrow with a win in our pockets."
ULM (5-4) was trailing 5-1 as it lined up in the dugout in the top of the third. It would be the last time the Warhawks would be in that spot as the trailing team.
CSU (0-2) took the early lead playing small ball and taking advantage of Warhawk miscues. The Eagles built a four-run lead in the second inning off a double into left-center and a single into center field, each hit scoring a base runner.
ULM's lone second inning run was scored by Samantha Agamaite, who reached second on a lead-off double to left-center. Agamaite was brought in after Jaclyn Kresta grounded out to CSU's shortstop, giving Agamaite enough time to reach home.
The Warhawks tied the score at 5-5 in the third behind the bats of Sydney McKay, Hunter Hogan and Lauren Crouch.
McKay reached on a double, followed by Hogan, who ripped a triple that scored McKay along with Jayden Mount, who reached on a walk.
Following Hogan's triple, the Warhawks continued to roll in the runs, scoring Hogan during the at-bat of Rochelle Roberts, who reached on error by CSU's pitcher, and then Roberts as Crouch sent a double in right-center field.
All knotted up at 5-5, the Warhawks were then able to hold Coppin State scoreless upon finding the rhythm to their defensive efforts.
The Warhawks would run away with the lead in the next four innings, outscoring the Eagles, 11-2, and eventually claiming the run-rule win in the sixth.
Hogan would find herself crossing the plate for the second time in the fourth inning, after she reached on a double that scored Mount just before. Hogan was brought in by Roberts, whose RBI single was one of two in her five total at-bats.
Three more would go on the board in the fifth as Crouch, Bailey Thibodeaux, and Megan Shaw all scored for the Warhawks, helping ULM build a five-run cushion in the top of the inning.
Freshman pinch-hitter Charlie Names was caught stealing early in the inning, but the 3-1 set play allowed Crouch to score on the throw.
With one out, Thibodeaux added a double to her stat sheet, putting her in scoring position with big-hitter Shaw approaching the plate. Shaw drills a double and ends up advancing on an error, scoring Thibodeaux.
Shaw is safe at home after Mount shoots a single up the right side, rounding out the fifth inning with three added runs on four hits.
CSU finally had an answer to ULM's run in the bottom of the fifth but were only able to respond with two runs off a left-center double by freshman Eagle Nia Bowe.
The firing squad of ULM softball kept the shots coming in the sixth inning, tacking on six more to the board by batting around the order and wearing out Coppin State's defense.
Roberts started the rally with a successful bunt and advanced to second on a throwing error, she would later score on a double by Crouch, who would find herself crossing the plate as Names stepped up and tripled to the same spot in left-center for her first collegiate hit.
With Names on third, Thibodeaux reached on another CSU error, which scored Names and left Thibodeaux on base with only one out. Shaw would single into right field, followed by McKay who had a single of her own and just like that the bases were loaded in Conway.
One more blast from Mount scores Thibodeaux, then Hogan with her fourth and final RBI of the game, scores Shaw on a sacrifice fly to left field.
McKay would score the final run of the day on a pass ball, rounding out ULM's hefty 16-run performance.
ULM's win included 16 runs on 16 hits, with only one error committed in the first inning.
Senior pitcher Paige Murray earned the win tonight, pitching 3.2 innings and allowing only two runs off six hits. The Thrall, Texas, native faced 18 batters, striking out two and walking only one.
All tournament games scheduled for Saturday have been canceled due to the high probability of inclement weather in Conway, the Warhawks are tentatively scheduled to play Austin Peay and the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sunday at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. respectively.
Follow along with the action on Twitter at @ULM_Softball for live in-game updates as well as any potential schedule changes.
