CONWAY, Ark – After finishing their last tournament with back-to-back losses, the Warhawks wrapped up their Arkansas trip with a 9-3 victory over South Dakota State in their final contest of the UCA Tournament.  Jayden Mount and Ana Hogan each contributed a home run to the Warhawks 12-hit game to help ULM defeat SDSU on Monday (Feb.26).
 
"Once again, another great team win. Offensively we got contributions up and down the line up," said head coach Corey Lyon. "Jayden Mount played like one of the best in the Sun Belt today, Rochelle Roberts looked like her old self and I couldn't be happier for Ana Hogan."
 
"To come off the bench and hit is hard anytime but coming up with a clutch pinch-hit home run completely changed the game" Lyon added.
 
Both teams would earn a hit in the first inning, with each team leaving one on base at the conclusion of the inning- unable to score the first go around.
 
ULM was able to get the Hawks all the way around in the second inning, scoring Samantha Agamaite and Victoria Pederson.  
 
Agamaite kicked off the inning, reaching on a throwing error by the Jackrabbits, advancing to second on the play. Pederson singled up the middle, advancing Agamaite to third and putting the senior out of Westminister, California in prime scoring position.
 
With Megan Shaw at the plate, Agamaite would get the opportunity to score on a passed ball, and shortly after, Pederson would score off the bat of Shaw- giving ULM a 2-0 lead headed into the bottom of the second inning.
 
"Samantha Agamaite was fantastic handling her behind the plate while Megan Shaw and Hunter Hogan continued to make "ESPN Top 10" type plays look routine" Lyon said.
 
Senior pitcher Rachael Murphy would give up her first runs of the game in the second inning, giving up four hits, including three RBI, a single through the right side and a double in left-center.
 
After losing the lead, head coach Corey Lyon makes the pitching switch to Paige Murray in the third inning. Murray entered the match 3-2 on the season with an 8.53 earned-run average, but she brought her A-game today, holding the Jackrabbits scoreless for the rest of the game.
 
Top of the 4^th inning, trailing 3-2, Lyons would call sophomore Ana Hogan in to pinch hit for the Warhawks.
 
With Pederson on first, after reaching on a walk, A.Hogan would earn her first hit of the season on a home run to left field, helping the Hawks to a 4-3 lead over South Dakota State.
 
ULM's one-run lead would hold through the remainder of the fourth inning, and then the fifth.
 
The Warhawks continued to pound away at SDSU's pitching staff, scoring veteran Rochelle Roberts and freshman Charlie Names in the sixth inning. Roberts reached on a single to second base, while Names was in to pinch run for Agamaite who laid down a successful bunt single.
 
Jayden Mount kicked off ULM's final at-bat with a homer down the left field line, her second of the season, only to be followed by two more RBI by Agamaite and Thibodeaux.
 
Warhawks finished in Conway, 4-0, advancing to 8-4 overall. Murray adds another 'dub' to her win column as she advances to 4-2 on the season, Murray pitched the final five innings, allowing no runs, giving up no walks, and striking out two in the process.
 
"Defensively, it was great to see Paige put together the performance she did today" said Lyons.
 
ULM is set to host Alcorn State on Tuesday (Feb.27) in a home-opener double-header. "It's always great to secure another win, hopefully we can carry the momentum with us through the week and in to next weekend" Lyon said.
 
Links to live stats and game times can be found at ULMWarhawks.com, fans are encouraged to follow the Warhawks on Twitter at @ULM_Softball for any schedule updates, live in-game updates, and much more.