MONROE, La. – The ULM softball team (3-7) is back in action, hosting their first tournament in Monroe with the Warhawk Invitational. The tournament will open with the Warhawks taking on SFA (4-6) at 2 p.m. on Thursday (Feb. 20). ULM will then take on the Ladyjacks again on Friday (Feb. 21) at 4 p.m. and HCU at 6:30 p.m. The Warhawks will compete on Saturday (Feb. 22), hosting Eastern Illinois at 4 p.m. and the Huskies at 6:30 p.m. The tournament will conclude with ULM versus Southern at 3 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 23). The full tournament schedule and live stats can be found at ulmwarhawks.com.
SERIES HISTORY VS. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN –
The Warhawks will take on the Ladyjacks for the 100th and 101st meetings this weekend, hoping to beat Stephen F. Austin for the third-straight time. ULM holds a 48-51 all-time record against SFA, the series dating back to 1980, the ULM Softball program's initial season. The last meeting came in 2024, where the Warhawks defeated the Ladyjacks, 10-0 in five innings in Monroe.
SERIES HISTORY VS. HOUSTON CHRISTIAN –
The Warhawks will take on the Tigers for the 11th and 12th meetings, hoping to sweep the Huskies for the 2025 season. ULM holds a 9-1 record against HCU, the series dating back to 2010. The last meeting came in opening weekend of the 2025 season, where the Warhawks defeated the Huskies, 6-5 in Houston. The win over HCU was the Warhawks' first win of the season, a comeback victory, in which ULM was down 4-5 in the sixth inning.
SERIES HISTORY VS. EASTERN ILLINOIS –
The Warhawks will take on the Panthers for the 11th meeting on Saturday, hoping to defeat EIU for the first time since 2014. ULM holds a 4-6 record against Eastern Illinois, the series dating back to 1988. The last meeting came in 2021, where the Panthers beat the Warhawks, 4-5, in Baton Rouge. The first meeting between the two teams came on March 20, 1988, with EIU claiming the 6-3 win over ULM.
SERIES HISTORY VS. SOUTHERN –
The Warhawks will take on the Jaguars for the 11th meeting on Sunday, hoping to beat Jackson State for the 11th-straight time. ULM holds a 11-0 record against Southern, the series dating back to 2007. The last meeting came in 2022, where the Warhawks defeated the Jaguars, 9-1 in six innings in Monroe. The first meeting between the two teams came on Feb. 10, 2007, with ULM claiming the 4-3 win in eight innings.
LAST TIME OUT –
The ULM softball team defeated the Jackson State Tigers in the five-inning home opener, scoring nine runs on 10 hits. Two Warhawks picked up multi-RBI games, with Meagan Brown being the lone Warhawk to log a multi-hit game. A double from Cheyenne Jenkins picked up two RBIs with an error scoring the third. Jackson State began the attempt at a comeback in the third, with a single picking up a run for the Tigers. The comeback was quickly thwarted, as a six-run fourth inning extended the lead further for ULM. A Jacelyn Buck triple, Hollie Thomas double and singles from Carys Platt and Brown picked up five RBIs to make the score 8-1. Morgan Brown reached on a throwing error to score Brooklin Lippert, securing the 9-1 win.
PRESEASON HONORS –
Meagan Brown was named to the All-Sun Belt Team after receiving multiple honors at the conclusion of last season. The true freshman completed the 2024 season as one of the top freshman hitters in the Sun Belt. The outfielder started in 52 of 54 games, leading the Warhawks in slugging percentage, OBP, OPS, doubles, triples and home runs. She posted a batting average of .367, which led all freshmen in the league.
Maddie Nichols made her mark in her sophomore season at ULM, making 33 appearances and 21 starts in the pitching circle. Nichols posted an 11-10 record with a 2.57 ERA, seventh in the Sun Belt. She posted five complete games, ranking third in the Sun Belt in opposing batting average and seventh in strikeouts.
LOOKING AHEAD –
The softball team will be hitting the road for a midweek matchup, taking on Northwestern State on Wednesday (Feb. 26). First pitch in Natchitoches is scheduled for 5 p.m.