CONROE, Texas – The ULM softball team wrapped up the three-day Scrap Yard tournament on Sunday, Feb. 16, in Conroe, Texas, and fell to South Dakota State, 6-1, at the Scrap Yard Sports Complex.
"We had sparks throughout the game, but we couldn't find a way to start the spark and get the flame," head coach Molly Fichtner said. "We gave up way too many free outs."
South Dakota State (4-5) struck quickly in the bottom of the first inning when Cylie Halvorson doubled into left field to bring Olivia Pfeifer home from first. Moments later, Kelsey Lenox doubled down the first base line to bring Halvorson home. The Jackrabbits left the first inning with a 2-0 lead.
ULM (3-6) answered quickly in the top of the second when freshman Kelsey Giddens got her first career triple with a bomb to right-center field. The next batter, sophomore Jessica Williams, singled down the third base line to bring Giddens home. The Warhawks cut their deficit in half, 2-1.
In the bottom of the second, Allison Yoder doubled into left field and Peyton Daugherty singled to bring Yoder home. SDSU held a 3-1 lead. The Jackrabbits extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth when Kelsey Lenox hit a three-run homer to take a 6-1 lead and the win.
"When you don't win as many games as you want to, you get to see what we need to work on and that's what we're going to do this week," Fichtner said.
Kelsey Giddens went 2-for-3 at the plate with one run scored. Williams and Korie Kreps were the only other Warhawks with hits in the game. Williams also had an RBI.
Junior Amber Coons (2-1) got the start for the Warhawks and pitched 0.2 innings before she was relieved by sophomore Murphy Williams. Williams pitched 3.2 innings and gave up three runs on three hits and struck out one batter. Freshman Kassidy Giddens finished the game out for ULM. She pitched 1.2 innings and gave up one run on one hit and struck out one batter.
Coons takes her first loss of the season while Grace Glanzer (3-2) picks up the win for SDSU.
The Warhawks will travel to Lake Charles on Wednesday, Feb. 19, for a midweek matchup against McNeese State. First pitch is scheduled 6:30 p.m. Links to live video and stats and can be found on the softball schedule page at ULMWarhawks.com. For season tickets, call 318-342-HAWK or visit ULMWarhawks.com.
Stay up to date with all things Warhawk Softball on Facebook and Twitter at @ULM_Softball.
