YOUNGSVILLE, La. – The ULM softball team (1-1) began the 2024 campaign with a split after defeating Providence (0-2) and falling to Montana (2-0) at the Mardi Gras Mambo in Youngsville, La.
 
Game One: Montana 5, ULM 4
The Warhawks jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after plating three runs in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, freshman Elle Carter singled to third and advanced to third base on a two-base error by the third baseman. After another Montana error, Jacelyn Buck drew a walk to load the bases. Andie Edwards broke open the scoring and roped a single to center field that scored Carter and Brooklin Lippert. Lourdes Bacon followed with a single up the middle that scored Buck.
 
The Grizzlies began the fourth inning with consecutive hits and scored one run. Victoria Abrams recorded her second strikeout of the game to end the inning and left a runner on base. The Warhawks responded in the fourth when Taylor Broddick scored on a groundout by Carys Platt to keep ULM's lead at three runs. Montana threatened in the fifth inning with runners at second and third with two outs. Abrams induced a groundout to retire the side and keep ULM in front by three runs.
 
Montana cut ULM's advantage in half with a run in the sixth inning. Kassidy Giddens struck out the final batter of the top half of the sixth and the Grizzlies left two runners stranded. Bacon and Platt strung together consecutive hits in the sixth inning and ULM had runners in scoring position with one out. The Warhawks were unable to score any insurance runs and the lead remained at two heading to the final inning. With one out, Montana's Presley Jantzi doubled and Jessica Stanfield followed with a walk. The Grizzlies evened the score at four after a two-RBI base hit by Kelly Sweyer. Montana took its first lead of the day on Grace Hardy's RBI base hit. ULM was retired in order in the seventh and Montana completed the comeback win.
 
Bacon, Platt and Carter all finished with a pair of hits. Edwards racked up a pair of RBIs while Bacon finished with one. Four different Warhawks stole a base including Bacon, Platt, Carter and Lippert. In the circle, Abrams was awarded a no decision after tossing 5.0 innings and surrendering five hits, one earned run and tallying a pair of strikeouts.
 
Game Two: ULM 5, Providence 1
With Providence ahead 1-0, ULM rallied in the second inning and captured a 2-1 lead. Lippert began the inning with an infield hit and stole second base with one out. The Warhawks scratched across the runs with two outs when Bacon singled to third on a bunt that scored Lippert. After Bacon stole second, Carter delivered another two-out knock to left field and Bacon crossed the plate to give ULM the lead. The Warhawks added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Lippert scored on a wild pitch to make the score 3-1.
 
Sophomore Maddie Nichols was sharp in the circle and limited the Friars to just three hits in her complete-game outing. Nichols fanned six batters and allowed just one run in her strong 2024 debut.
 
ULM padded its lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Lippert scored her third run of the game on a passed ball and Carter drove in Layla Thompson on an RBI single to increase the Warhawks' lead to 5-1. Nichols retired the Friars in order in the top of the seventh and the Warhawks defeated Providence, 5-1, for ULM's first win of the season.
 
The ULM softball team returns to the diamond tomorrow afternoon for the second day of action at the Mardi Gras Mambo. The Warhawks will play a pair of games starting at 3:30 p.m. versus UT Arlington before facing Green Bay at 5:30 p.m.