MONROE, La. – With less than a month until the season opener for the ULM Softball team, head coach Molly Fichtner and the team have been getting ready for the home doubleheader on Feb. 7 against Stephen F. Austin and Southern that will kick the season off.
"I'm so excited," Fichtner said. "These girls have put in a lot of hard work and I can't wait for the season to start. This break has been way too long."
Senior Jayden Mount returns to lead the infield for the Warhawks this season. Mount started in 54 games for ULM during the 2019 campaign and hit .302 with 49 hits, 11 doubles and seven home runs. She also had 36 RBIs, 30 runs scored, three steals on six attempts and a slugging percentage of .500.
Mount accounted for 10 multi-hit games, 10 multi-RBI games and nine multi-run games. She also led the Sun Belt in assists with 144, tied for seventh in the Sun Belt for doubles with 11 and ranked 10th in the Sun Belt in hit by pitch with eight.
"You can't match Jayden's leadership," Fichtner said. "You can't put a value on what she brings to the table."
Mount will be joined by senior Jessie Watts. The Gonzalez, Louisiana, native not only plays first base, but stands in the pitching circle as well. Watts started 50 games for ULM last season and hit .215 with 29 hits, seven doubles and two home runs. She also garnered 19 RBIs and 12 runs scored with two multi-run games, five multi-hit games, six multi-RBI games and three multi-walk games.
Senior Ana Hogan is another returner for the Warhawks who ended the 2019 campaign with eight RBIs and a home run. Junior Rylee Lara is a versatile utility player that will fill the pinch-hitting role for ULM this season.
Sophomore Jessica Williams will transition from behind the plate to the infield this season. Last year, Williams appeared in 11 games for ULM and compiled 25 putouts during her time on the field.
"You can almost put Jessica anywhere because she's that athletic," Fichtner said.
Freshman Jacelyn Buck is a newcomer this year that hails from Wellington, Kansas, and has seen the majority of her time at shortstop during the offseason.
"Buck has been incredible," Fichtner said. "I would be surprised if she didn't start at shortstop to start the season."
Buck was a three-sport athlete in high school and was named to All-League teams all four years. She also hit .381 for the Warhawks during the fall exhibition slate.
ULM opens the season up at home on Feb. 7 with a doubleheader against Stephen F. Austin and Southern. For season tickets, call 318-342-HAWK or visit ULMWarhawks.com.
Follow along with all things Warhawk Softball on Facebook and Twitter at @ULM_Softball.
