MONROE, La. -- The ULM softball team (28-21, 9-10 Sun Belt Conference) gained control of the lead with a four-run third inning before the No. 19 Ragin' Cajuns (36-15, 18-1) rallied for a pair of runs in the final two innings to win the series opener, 5-4, on Friday (April 26) night at the ULM Softball Complex in Monroe, La.

The Ragin' Cajuns jumped out to a 3-0 lead when Sam Roe blasted a solo home run in the second inning and tallied two in the third on a Warhawk error and a Maddie Hayden RBI hit. The Warhawks' leadoff hitter in the first and second innings recorded hits after Lourdes Bacon singled to start the first and Carys Platt doubled to begin the second. ULM was unable to capitilize with runners in scoring position and the Cajuns led early.

ULM broke through in the bottom of the third inning with four runs. Bacon singled for her second time of the night and extended her hitting streak with multiple hits to seven games. Brooklin Lippert followed with an infield hit and Meagan Brown made it three-straight Warhawk base hits to load the bases. Maryssa Zenzen drove in the Warhawks' first run on a single to right center that scored Bacon. Andie Edwards continued the hit parade with ULM's fifth consecutive base hit to pull the Warhawks within one run of the Ragin' Cajuns. Madelyn England plated Brown on an RBI groundout and the Warhawks tied the game, 3-3. With two outs and Edwards standing on second base, Layla Thompson put the Warhawks in front with an RBI base hit to make the score 4-3 in favor of ULM after three innings of action.

Gianni Hulett entered the game in the circle and replaced Maddie Nichols in the top of the fourth inning. Hulett worked around a bases-loaded jam and kept the Cajuns off the scoreboard to preserve the 4-3 ULM lead. After ULM was retired in order, Hulett again fired another scoreless top of the fifth. Zenzen doubled to left field with one out in the fifth, but the Ragin' Cajuns maintained their deficit at one run. Victoria Valdez homered to start the sixth and tied the game, 4-4. Hulett bounced back and finished the sixth inning with the game still tied. With one out in the top of the seventh, Brooke Ellestad of the Ragin' Cajuns connected on a solo home run and pushed her team ahead, 5-4. Lippert reached base on a single with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Pitcher Sam Landry closed out the win for the Ragin' Cajuns by recording the final two outs and gave the Cajuns the series opener, 5-4.

Game two of the series between the Ragin' Cajuns and the Warhawks will be played tomorrow (April 27) at 2 p.m. from the ULM Softball Complex.