TROY, Ala. – A 2-run home run in the first inning staked Troy to an early advantage, and the Trojans did not relinquish the lead, using three late insurance runs to seal a 5-1 win over ULM, ending the Warhawks' season Thursday at the Sun Belt Conference Championship at the Trojan Softball Complex.
 
ULM closes the 2021 season at 17-32 after going 1-2 at the SBC Championship.
 
Troy's Kelly Horne hit a 2-run home run in the top first inning to give the Trojans a 2-0 lead.
 
ULM did not get a base runner until the fourth inning when Jayden Mount walked. Alysia Anderson followed with ULM's first hit, a single to center. Korie Kreps then reached on an error on the third baseman, which allowed Mount to score to cut the deficit in half, 2-1. However, Troy worked out of the inning to hang on to the lead.
 
The Warhawks had another chance in the bottom of the fifth inning, loading the bases with two outs, but Kreps lined out to shortstop to end the frame.
 
In the sixth inning, Andie Edwards led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. However, the Warhawks were unable to bring her home to tie the game.
 
Troy tacked on insurance runs in the seventh inning as Audra Thompson hit a bases-clearing double for a 5-1 lead.
 
Anderson had two hits for ULM. Troy's Horne, Thompson, Katie Webb and Katelynn de Leon had two hits each.
 
Gianni Hulett suffered the loss for ULM, allowing two runs on three hits over one inning. Amber Coons threw the final six innings, giving up three runs on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Troy's Leanna Johnson earned the win, pitching all seven innings, allowing an unearned run on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
 
For the latest on ULM softball, visit ULMWarhawks.com.