Gianni Hulett improved her record to 4-1 after throwing 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief in Wednesday's 5-4 win over Abilene Christian.
Dezmond Jackson
4
ABILENE CHRISTIAN ACU 4-12
5
Winner ULM ULM 12-7
ABILENE CHRISTIAN ACU
4-12
4
Final
5
ULM ULM
12-7
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
ABILENE CHRISTIAN ACU 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 4 5 1
ULM ULM 0 0 3 1 0 1 X 5 10 0

W: Hulett, Gianni (4-1) L: Neilsen, Talia (3-4)

Game Recap: Softball |

ULM Softball Rallies to Defeat ACU, 5-4; Extends Winning Streak to 4 Games

MONROE, La. – Gianni Hulett allowed only one base runner in throwing 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief while Kennedy Johnson went 3-for-4 and drove in the game-winning run as ULM rallied from a 3-0 deficit for a 5-4 victory over Abilene Christian Wednesday (March 1) night. It marked the Warhawks' fourth consecutive win.
 
ULM starter pitcher Kinsey Kackley faced eight batters before handing the ball over to Adrianna Chavarria. With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the second, Sydney Kaiser turned a seven-pitch at-bat against Chavarria into an RBI single to left field that scored Shaylee Alani, who drew a walk from Kackley to open the inning, from third. Mercedes Eichelberger followed with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Catrin Hoffman from third, as ACU seized a 2-0 advantage.
 
The Wildcats added to their lead in the top of the third. Avery Miloch led off the frame with a single to left field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sammie Shelander. Alani followed with an RBI single to center field that scored Miloch from second base as ACU took a 3-0 lead.
 
ULM (12-7) answered with three runs on three hits and an error in the bottom of the third. Lourdes Bacon drew an eight-pitch walk from Riley White to lead off the frame. Johnson followed with an infield single and Bacon advanced to second base. After Bacon was thrown out attempting to steal third base, Madelyn Fletcher worked another walk. Ashlan Ard followed with an RBI single to right field, with Johnson scoring from second base on a throwing error by the right fielder and Fletcher moving on to third. The Warhawks pulled to within 3-2 as Fletcher scored on a wild pitch. Madison Blount tied the score at 3-all on an RBI single to center field that scored pinch runner Taylor Broddick from third base.
 
"We've told them over and over this year that the best part about our sport is there is never a time limit," ULM head coach Molly Fichtner said. "We encourage them to just keep competing. It was good to see us chip away at the deficit earlier this game, compared to years past."
 
With one out in the top of the fourth, ACU (4-12) regained the lead at 4-3 on Kaiser's solo home run down the left-field line off Chavarria. Hulett, who became the third ULM pitcher to take the circle, recorded a strikeout and fly out to end the frame.
 
With one away in the bottom of the fourth, Alexis Chavez singled to left field off Wildcat reliever Talia Neilsen, Bacon reached on a bunt single to third base and Johnson followed with a single to right field to load the bases. Chavez scored the game-tying run on Fletcher's RBI ground out to first base.
 
Hulett retired 11 of the 12 batters she faced, with only the lead-off batter in the sixth reaching first after being hit by a pitch. She set the side down in order in the fifth and seventh innings.
 
"Gianni is continuing to do her thing," Fichtner. "She's in such control on the mound right now, and she thrives when the team needs her most. I couldn't be more proud of her."
 
Jacelyn Buck lined a double off the base of the left-field wall to lead off the bottom of the sixth. After Alexis Chavez grounded out to shortstop, pinch runner Andie Edwards advanced to third on Bacon's ground ball to first base. With two outs, Johnson delivered an RBI single down the left-field line to give ULM its first lead of the game at 5-4 as Edwards scored the go-ahead run.
 
"KJ is an exceptional player," Fichtner said. "She is probably the best athlete I've ever coached because of her ability to flush pitches, at-bats and plays. KJ is an absolute game-changer at the plate."
 
Hulett, who improved to 4-1 on the season, pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings allowing no hits and no walks while recording a season-high five strikeouts.
 
Neilsen (3-4) went 3 2/3 innings and permitted two runs on six hits with no walks and no strikeouts.
 
Johnson (3-for-4, run scored, RBI) and Bacon (2-for-3) produced multi-hit games as the Warhawks outhit ACU, 10-5.
 
Next, ULM travels to Thibodaux, Louisiana, for a three-game series against Nicholls on Friday, March 3 (single game at 6 p.m.) and Saturday, March 4 (doubleheader at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.).
Print Friendly Version