MONROE, La. – The ULM softball team (6-7) claimed wins over Stephen F. Austin (4-9) and Houston Christian (3-7) on Friday (Feb. 21). Two home runs secured the victory over the Lumberjacks and multiple hits across the board gave ULM the chance to run-rule the Huskies.
Game One: ULM 6, Stephen F. Austin 3
A three-run second inning for the Warhawks got them headed for victory early on.
Maryssa Zenzen hits her fourth home run of the season to pick up the first score of the contest.
Elle Carter and
Brooklin Lippert singled, with
Jacelyn Buck walking to fill the bases. A
Meagan Brown single scored two extend the lead.
Another homer, this time by
Morgan Brown made the count four in the bottom of the fifth. The sixth inning brought two more runs in for ULM, with a Buck double and a
Meagan Brown single scoring two more, making it a 6-0 score. In the top of the seventh, SFA tried to rally back, scoring three runs to keep it tight. Two strikeouts gave the Warhawks a victory, claiming the 6-3 win.
Three Warhawks in Lippert,
Meagan Brown and Zenzen picked up multi-hit games, each with two. Brown also picked three RBIs on the day and Buck scored two runs.
Victoria Abrams was credited with the win, pitching 6.1 innings and getting a season-high seven strikeouts, allowing three hits, three runs and three walks.
Game Two: ULM 12, Houston Christian 4 (5 inn.)
A lead in the first inning got the Warhawks off on the right foot, with Lippert scoring on a throwing error to get the first run in for ULM. A double from freshman Thomas scored another, making it an early 2-0 score. A run scored by the Huskies kept it tight, even as
Morgan Brown doubled to score her twin sister for the three-run lead at the end of the third.
The fourth inning secured the victory for ULM, as they scored eight runs on five hits. A double from
Reece Briggs scored three Warhawks, a single from
Morgan Brown scored the fourth of the inning and another double from Thomas made it five in the inning. Carter singled to pick up an RBI and
Kelsey Kovar reached on a fielder's choice, with Zenzen scoring to make it an 11-1 score at the conclusion of the fourth inning.
Two singles for the Huskies gave them two more runs, but a double play by ULM kept them from an attempt at a rally in the fifth. To close it out, Zenzen singled to pick up an RBI, giving the Warhawks the 12-4 victory.
Both Brown sisters and Thomas had multi-hit games on the evening, with
Morgan Brown and Thomas both leading the team with three RBIs apiece. Four different Warhawks picked up doubles, with Thomas driving home two.
Meagan Brown led the team with three runs scored. Pitcher
Bristin Bordeau was credited with the win, logging two strikeouts in 1.2 innings in the circle.
The softball team will continue in the Warhawk Invitational this weekend, welcoming Stephen F. Austin, Houston Christian, Eastern Illinois and Southern University to Monroe. The next game featuring the Warhawks will be on Saturday (Feb. 22) at 4 p.m., facing the Panthers. The full tournament schedule can be found at ulmwarhawks.com.
