STATESBORO, Ga. – The ULM softball team rebounded on Sunday, March 8, at Eagle Field in the series finale against Georgia Southern and took down the Eagles, 6-3, for its first conference win of the season.
"They call it championship Sunday for a reason and our girls showed up in every aspect," head coach
Molly Fichtner said.
ULM (10-13, 1-2 Sun Belt) struck quickly in the top of the first to take the early lead. Sophomore
Korie Kreps singled up the middle and made it to third on a bunt single by senior
Jayden Mount. While Mount was attempting to steal second, she reached on a throwing error by the catcher to bring Kreps home and gave the Warhawks a 1-0 lead.
Two more runs in the top of the third increased ULM's lead. Sophomore
Kennedy Page singled up the middle and advanced to third on back-to-back ground outs. Mount singled to right field to bring Page home and Mount subsequently rounded home from first on a double by senior
Ana Hogan to give the Warhawks the 3-0 lead.
The Eagles (13-10, 2-1 Sun Belt) loaded the bases and tied things up in the bottom of the third. Back-to-back walks advanced to second and third on a sac bunt before Mekiah Freeman loaded the bases when she was intentionally walked and two runs came home on a Bailee Wilson single. Freeman came home on a fly out to tie things up at three.
In the top of the fourth, freshman
Jacelyn Buck walked with two outs and then came home from first on a double to left field by Page to regain a 4-3 lead for ULM.
Georgia Southern loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth with one out after getting back-to-back singles and a walk, but the Warhawks completed a double play on a fly out and a tag at the plate to get out of the inning and keep the lead. In the top of the sixth, senior
Jessie Watts doubled to center field and advanced to third before coming home on a sacrifice fly by freshman
Kelsey Giddens to increase ULM's lead, 5-3.
The Warhawks added another run in the top of the seventh when junior
Alysia Anderson stole second after junior pinch hitter
Rylee Lara was hit by the pitch. Watts singled to bring Anderson home from second and held on for the 6-3 win.
"Our hits were very timely today and it gives us the momentum moving forward," Fichtner said.
Mount and Page went 2-for-3 at the plate and each got a run and an RBI. Watts went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI while Kreps, Hogan and Buck accounted for three hits, two runs and an RBI. Anderson picked up a run as well.
Sophomore pitcher
Murphy Williams (5-2) got the start and pitched four innings in the win. She gave up three runs on two hits while striking out one batter and walking five. Watts relieved Williams in the fifth inning and got the save in three innings pitched. With the save, Watts is now two away from holding the ULM all-time record. She gave up one hit and struck out one batter while walking another.
"We had great starting pitching from Murphy and she really set the tone during the day," Fichtner said. "Then Jessie came in and kept the tempo up. It was a great day for our pitchers."
The Eagles sent three pitchers to the circle during the game. Ashleigh Morton got the start and pitched three innings. She gave up three runs on five hits and struck out one batter. Shelby Barfield (0-1) picked up the loss in three innings pitched. She gave up two runs on three hits and struck out two batters while walking another.
ULM will come home for eight of the next nine games starting on Wednesday, March 11, with a rematch against McNeese State at the ULM Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Links to live stats and video can be found on the softball schedule page at ULMWarhawks.com. For 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.
