MONROE, La. – The ULM softball team rallied with a run in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn't enough in a 5-4 Sun Belt Conference loss to South Alabama Saturday at the ULM Softball Complex. It was the 12th game decided by a single run for the Warhawks (23-19, 9-11) this season and the ninth in Sun Belt Conference play.
 
"We are right there, one hit away, one pitch away, and it comes down to inches, that's what it takes to beat a team like this, every single pitch and every single inch that we can get," said ULM head coach Molly Fichtner. "I am proud of the fight our team, but at the same time, we have to cross that line – we are teetering too much on the line and waiting for things to happen instead of going after it."
 
Kennedy Johnson went 2-for-4 with a double and six Warhawks had one hit apiece as ULM matched South Alabama with eight hits on the day. Korie Kreps, Gabby Davila and Lourdes Bacon all went 1-for-2 with Chavez drawing two walks and Kreps one.
 
South Alabama (19-17, 11-4) got its first hit in the third inning. After a lead-off walk, Caroline Nichols hit a triple to plate the first run. Nichols then scored on a wild pitch for a 2-0 Jaguar lead. In the third, USA added a third run for a 3-0 advantage with three singles in the inning to bring the lead-off batter home.
 
ULM responded with three runs on three hits in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game at three-all. Jacelyn Buck and Gabby Davila had back-to-back singles to start the inning and Korie Kreps reached base on a fielder's choice. A USA error allowed pinch-runner Caley McGuff to score and McGuff to move to second. Pitcher Victoria Abrams drove in two runs, scoring Kreps and Davila before a double-play ended the inning.
 
A lead-off walk issued to South Alabama's Mackenzie Brasher and a stolen base put Brasher in scoring position. Brasher crossed the plate for a 4-3 Jaguar lead when Victoria Ortiz doubled to left field. Kamdyn Kvistad homered to lead off the seventh inning for a 5-3 score before the Warhawks mounted their comeback attempt.
 
Chavez drew a five-pitch walk to start the seventh inning for ULM and moved to third when doubled to left-center. With Taylor Broddick pinch-running for Chavez, Broddick scored on Buck's sacrifice fly.
 
Olivia Lackie earned the save and Jenna Hardy (7-8) the win for South Alabama. Hardy gave up three earned runs in five innings and allowed seven hits while striking out seven. Lackie, the winner of Friday night's game, picked up her third save of the year in two innings of work. Victoria Abrams (7-5) started and took the loss for the Warhawks with four innings of work. Abrams allowed four earned runs on five hits and had three strikeouts. Adrianna Chavarria pitched three innings in relief, giving up one earned run and striking out three.
 
ULM's series with South Alabama concludes Sunday with a noon CT at the ULM Softball Complex. The link for live stats will be available on the softball schedule page at ULMWarhawks.com.