MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Bottom of the eighth inning, off the bat of sophomore
Jessie Watts, would senior
Rochelle Roberts score the winning run in ULM's 4-3 extra-inning victory over Bradley on Friday (Mar.2) on Day 1 of the Blues City Classic in Memphis.
The Warhawks racked up 11 hits in the win, with three from leading hitter
Sydney McKay and three from Roberts as well.
In her four at-bats, Roberts earned a single in the second inning, her second double on the season in the third, and a single to right center in the bottom of the sixth.
Roberts' double would score
Hunter Hogan, who reached on an error by the Brave's short stop, with Hogan across the plate, ULM had built a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third.
Bradley would take a shot at the Hawks' lead in the fourth, when junior Katie Habryle let off the Braves' second solo home-run of the game; the first coming in the first inning from junior infielder Gabby Stoner.
Bradley earned yet another solo-home run to start the sixth inning, this time from sophomore Allison Apke. ULM would find itself knotted up with Bradley, 3-3 headed into the seventh inning.
Neither team would score in the seventh inning and with ULM holding Bradley to no additional scores in the top of the eighth, they had one more chance to take the win.
With Roberts placed on second, the ULM Warhawks went to work at the plate. First up,
Samantha Agamaite; she would lay down a ground ball and earn 2-3 sacrifice ground out, that would advance Roberts to third and put her in prime scoring position.
In comes Watts with the game winning RBI, pushing the Warhawks ahead of the Braves and clinching the win.
"Sydney and Rochelle were clutch today and I am extremely proud of Sam and Jessie for coming into the inning and getting the job done" said head softball coach
Corey Lyon.
Watts would also go in the book as the winning pitcher, entering in the middle of the sixth, giving up only two hits with no additional runs scored by the Braves.
"Aside from the three-swings that Bradley had solo home-runs on, I thought all three pitchers did well. For Jessie to come in at a time like that and hold down the mound like she did, that's what we need " Lyon said.
