MONROE, La. – The ULM softball team (15-6, 2-1 Sun Belt) scored eight runs in the first three innings en route to a 10-2 run-rule victory over Georgia Southern (6-13, 1-2 Sun Belt) Sunday at the ULM Softball Complex. The Warhawks won their Sun Belt opening series for the second-straight season, using eight hits and eight walks to record 10 runs in the win.
 
"It was an all-around great team win," said ULM head coach Molly Fichtner. "The biggest thing was our offense, we showed up toward the end of Saturday and today, and while we didn't have a ton of hits, we were taking walks and we weren't swinging at pitchers' pitches so much. We definitely made a switch where we were passing the bat more. In the circle, Rocky (Adrianna Chavarria) did an incredible job again today. Kinsey gave us a great start, and Rocky gave us a great finish."
 
Kennedy Johnson had three of the Warhawks' hits, going 3-for-4 with an RBI, and joined Lourdes Bacon and Madelyn Fletcher to score two runs each. Fletcher was 2-for-2 with two RBI and Jacelyn Buck drove in two runs on a single and a walk.
 
ULM wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. After Georgia Southern's Faith Shirley hit a two-out home run in the first inning for a 1-0 Eagle lead, the Warhawks responded with three runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back. Leadoff hitter Korie Kreps drew a walk and Bacon was patient for her 10-pitch at-bat and walked. An Eagle error on what should have been a routine force out loaded the bases with no outs for ULM.
 
Fletcher singled up the middle and drove in the Warhawks' first two runs. Andie Edwards reached on a fielder's choice to give ULM runners on first and second. Edwards was tagged out in a rundown, but the distraction allowed Fletcher to come home for a 3-1 Warhawk advantage after the first inning.
 
The Warhawks' big inning came in the fifth as they opened the frame with three-straight singles from Bacon, Johnson and Fletcher to load the bases. Edwards drew a walk to plate Bacon for the fourth run, then Alexis Chavez was hit by a pitch to advance all runners and score Johnson for run number five.
 
Georgia Southern replaced pitcher Kastin Belogorska, brought in in relief of starter Kyleigh Richardson (2-7), who pitched only the first inning and picked up the loss. Rylee Walpdrip issued walks to the next three Warhawks as Buck, Kelsey Giddens and Kennedy Page all recorded RBI with their walks to extend the lead to 8-1. Eagle pitcher Anna Feil struck out one batter and retired the side with a double play to get out of the inning.
 
In the top half of the fourth, Eagle Aniston Johnson reached first on an error and scored after back-to-back singles to give Georgia Southern its second run. ULM added its ninth run in the bottom of the inning when Johnson singled to lead off the inning and Buck singled to bring Johnson home.
 
The game was completed as a run-rule victory in the fifth when Kelsey Giddens took first after being hit by a pitch and Page walked. Johnson singled through the left side to bring Giddens in for the 10^th and final run. Two Warhawks were left on base at the end of the game.
 
Kinsey Kackley (8-3) gained the win with one earned run and three hits in three innings. Adrianna Chavarria had another great performance in the circle in relief. She struck out two Eagles in two innings of work and did not give up any hits or runs.
 
ULM softball heads to Alcorn State for a doubleheader on Wed., March 16, with games at 3 p.m. CT and 5 p.m. CT. If live stats are available, links will be posted on the ULM softball schedule page at ULMWarhawks.com.