LAFAYETTE, La. – The ULM softball team closed the final door on its season today (May 9), when it fell in a 3-2 decision to Troy, in the first round of the Sun Belt Championship, hosted by Louisiana at Lamson Park. The Warhawks finished the 2018 season with an overall 24-29 record and 10-19 mark in conference play.
 
"We knew exactly the type of game we needed to play," said head coach Corey Lyon. "But we wasted some opportunities early on to scratch away some extra runs and give us a better cushion in the long run."
 
The Warhawks jumped out to a two-lead over the Trojans come the middle of the fourth inning. The 2-0 lead came at the hands of Megan Shaw and Jaclyn Kresta.
 
Shaw was able to put a ball in play in the second inning that dropped just behind the circle, where Troy's third baseman misplayed the ball- giving Shaw the opportunity to reach first and score Cheyanne Lyon on the play.
 
Top of the fourth, Kresta steps up with Jesse Watts on third after she reached on a fielder's choice, and drives her home with a single to left-center.
 
Troy answered with its first runs of the day, off the bat of Kaley Hussey is the Trojan's first of two home runs. Hussey's hit over the left-field wall tied the ball game at two runs a piece after four innings of play.
 
"Credits to Troy for stepping up, they got two big hits exactly when they needed them and that's just how softball goes sometimes," Lyon said.
 
ULM was able to keep Troy quite at the plate for the next two innings with a stout defense that helped the team escape without allowing the Trojan base runners to score.
 
Senior Paige Murray talked about the Warhawks defense, "Today was an example of what these girls were truly capable of; Megan Shaw is always solid at third base, the outfielders will dive to make every play, our middles can turn double-plays… it's an amazing feeling to know that I can step into the circle and feel that support from my defense behind me."
 
After leaving only one base runner on over the final three innings, the Warhawks stepped back out onto the field in hopes of holding Troy scoreless once again and pushing the contest into extra innings for another chance to score.
 
Unfortunately, the Trojans had other plans. Batting eighth and playing centerfield for Troy was Carli Kayler, who with a 1-2 count off Watts, connected and sent it over the left-field wall for the final hit of the game, giving Troy the 3-2 lead and the walk-off win.
 
Murray did most of the work in the circle for the Warhawks today, pitching five inning and allowing two runs on seven hits. Come the sixth inning, Lyon would call on Watts to relieve Murray.
Watts records the loss, allowing Troy's go-ahead home run in the 7^th inning.
 
ULM closes out on another successful season, and signs off on another senior class who has left their mark on the program.
 
"We've had a lot of ups and downs as a team," said Murray, who will graduate with her second degree from ULM in May. "No matter who was struggling or what they were facing, we all fought that battle together and I'll take that with me way beyond my days on the diamond."
 
Senior Rochelle Roberts has left her name in the ULM and Sun Belt record books for years to come,"Rochelle had an unbelievable career as a Warhawk and she will be forever missed," Lyon said. "To suffer a back injury the end of her junior year, take a year of leave to become a mother, then return and accomplish all she has? That's incredible."
 
"Hunter [Hogan] and Cheyanne played together back in Kansas, so I've had the opportunity to work with most of these seniors for more than just their four years and I consider myself lucky for that. They are all such great kids off the field and I have no doubt they'll go on to do great things," Lyon added.
 
Kresta is one of 18 players set to return for the 2019 season, and one of six who are preparing for their final season in the maroon and gold, "Our seniors set the standard for the rest of us," Kresta said. "We feed off their energy in practice and in games and we plan on carrying mentality into the next season. The fans can expect to see all the love and fight they saw this year, on the same field next year, and we're already looking forward to it."