MONROE, La. – A busy week lies ahead for ULM softball, one that starts with mid-week non-conference match-ups against Mississippi Valley State at home on Tuesday (Apr.17) and Ole Miss on the road on Wednesday (Apr.18). Fans are encouraged to stick around post-game on Tuesday, for the Warhawks will host their annual home run derby after the game has concluded.
Mississippi Valley State is traveling to Monroe after conference road losses to Alabama A&M University. A member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, MVST currently stands are fourth in the Eastern division, with a 2-8 record against other teams in the SWAC and a 7-27 record overall.
MVST is 2-6 on the road against non-conference opponents while ULM is 4-3 at home in non-conference play.
The Delta Devils are led by Sharia Cormier, who has started in all games for MVST and is averaging .247 at the plate. In the circle, Mississippi Valley's best is Jezabelle Quintana, who brings a 4.32 ERA in her 11 appearances to ULM. Quintana is the only Delta Devil pitcher who has not given up a home run this season.
On Wednesday, the Warhawks will head to Oxford, Mississippi to face the Rebels of Ole Miss at 6:00 p.m.
The Rebels (21-18, 4-13) are currently last in the SEC in batting average, managing a mere .246 at the plate. At the head of that movement, is junior outfielder Kylan Becker, who's .320 average puts her at the top. Slugging for Ole Miss is Autumn Gillespie and Amanda Roth who each have three home runs on the year.
Freshman Anna Borgen has only made 15 appearances for the Rebels, but has a team best 2.25 ERA. Teammate Kaitlin Lee has pitched the most for Ole Miss, compiling a 2.31 ERA through 121 innings of work.
Ole Miss will be hosting ULM for the mid-week contest after dropping a conference series to in-state foe Mississippi State with a double-header loss on Sunday (Apr.15).
ULM leads the all-time series against Ole Miss, 5-4. The Warawks and Rebels last met in 2016, when ULM dropped the contest in a 2-1 decision.
For the Warhawks, both games will act as an opportunity for the team to hone their skills before they get on the road to San Marcos to face league-leading Texas State on Saturday (Apr.21). ULM is at the top multiple offensive Sun Belt categories: batting average, on base percentage, runs scored, hits, and runs batted in.
Still producing the Sun Belt bests at the plate is junior
Sydney McKay, who's 59 hits and .413 batting average puts her at the top in both individual categories. Joining McKay in the top 10 Sun Belt batters is sophomore
Jayden Mount (.383) and senior
Rochelle Roberts (.375).
Links to live stats and video for both Tuesday and Wednesday's game will be available at ULMWarhawks.com. Fans are encouraged to follow along with the action on Twitter @ULM_Softball.
