RUSTON, La. – ULM's
Andie Edwards sent a one-out double down the left field line in the top of the seventh, scoring pinch runner
Alysia Anderson from second, to help the Warhawk softball team snap an eight-game losing streak with a 5-4 victory over Louisiana Tech on Tuesday, April 13 in Ruston.
Korie Kreps opened the seventh inning with a single to centerfield, scooting to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Madelyn Fletcher, before being replaced on the base pads by Anderson. After Anderson scored the go-ahead run on Edwards' single, Louisiana Tech forced the Warhawks (11-20) into back-to-back pop outs. ULM countered by getting a pair of strikeouts in the home half of the seventh, securing the victory.
Three Warhawks finished with two hits, including Edwards (2-4, RBI, run), who was responsible for the lone extra-base hit.
Kennedy Johnson came through with a 2-for-3 outing, scoring two runs and accounting for an RBI, while
Kelsey Giddens was 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.
Amber Coons (2-3) claimed the win for ULM, striking out five Louisiana Tech hitters over 2 2/3 innings. Coons held the opposition without a hit, but did issue two walks.
ULM put the first run of the game on the board in the second. Johnson led off the frame with a single back to the pitcher and quickly stole second. After moving to third on a sacrifice bunt, Johnson motored home on a bunt single off the bat of Giddens.
Two innings later, Johnson again opened the frame with a single. Two batters later, Giddens came through with a single to third that moved her teammate into scoring position.
Jessica Williams reached base on an error at second that moved Giddens to third and allowed Johnson to score the unearned run.
Rylee Lara kept the fourth inning alive with an RBI single, scoring Giddens in the process, as ULM established the 3-0 lead. Louisiana Tech answered with a four-run fourth, highlighted by a single to short that allowed two runs to score, forging in front by one run.
However, the ULM offense continued to swing a hot bat, scoring a run in the top of the fifth. Edwards came through with a one-out single up the middle before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Johnson sent a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing Johnson home to knot the game at 4-4.
Louisiana Tech (13-19) had three players with multiple hits in the clash, including Kylie Neel (3-3, RBI, double), KB Briley (2-4) and Carol Eason (2-4, RBI, run). Kar Goff (0-1) took the loss despite allowing just two hits and one run to the nine batters she faced.
ULM now heads to Jackson, Mississippi for a doubleheader with Jackson State that begins at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
