MONROE, La. – The ULM softball team (19-10) returns home to open Sun Belt play with a series against Georgia State (8-18). First pitch on Friday (March 14) to open the series is scheduled for 5 p.m. The games will be available to stream on ESPN+ and live stats can be found at ulmwarhawks.com. Both teams are on the hunt for wins this weekend to start conference play on top.
SERIES HISTORY VS. GEORGIA STATE –
The Warhawks will be taking on the Panthers for the 36th meeting between the two teams, with the series being fairly even. ULM holds a 17-18 record against Georgia State, the first meeting coming on March 28, 1999, when the Panthers won 6-0 in Atlanta. ULM is currently on an eight-game win streak against the Panthers. The Warhawks have a 7-7 record when playing Georgia State in Monroe, the last win for the Panthers in Monroe coming in 2021.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS –
Georgia State has opened the season 8-18, most recently falling to Mercer, 6-8, at home. The Panthers have notably claimed wins over North Dakota, Mercer, Dayton and Memphis. Georgia State infielder Maia Mumpfield currently leads the team in batting average (.408), hits (31) and RBIs (11). The Panthers are looking to exceed expectations under first-year head coach Becca Owens after they were predicted to finish 12th in the Sun Belt after an 11-42 campaign in 2024.
HAVING FUN AT HOME –
Going into Sun Belt play, the Warhawks are undefeated at the ULM Softball Complex. ULM opened play at home with a midweek game against Jackson State, winning in a run-rule victory, 9-1. The Warhawks went on to go 5-0 in both the Warhawk Invitational and the Best on the Bayou Tournament, defeating Stephen F. Austin, Houston Christian, Eastern Illinois, Tarleton State, SEMO and Memphis over the course of two weekends. To round out play at home so far, ULM defeated McNeese, 5-1, in a midweek matchup last week.
OPENING SUN BELT PLAY –
Since joining the Sun Belt in 2006, the Warhawks have claimed a 23-31 record in the Sun Belt opening series. ULM has swept the opening conference series just once since 2006, coming in 2015, a sweep of App State. The last time ULM opened conference play at home was 2022, when the Warhawks hosted Georgia Southern and won the series, going 2-1.
LAST TIME OUT –
The ULM softball team claimed a no-hitter shutout victory at Grambling State on Tuesday (March 11), winning 7-0. Maryssa Zenzen posted her seventh home run of the season, with Maddie Nichols adding a double to round out the extra base hits. Zenzen, Brooklin Lippert, Hollie Thomas and Kelsey Kovar each picked up RBIs for the team to add to the tally. Kovar and Zenzen led the team with two hits apiece as well, with Meagan Brown leading in runs scored (2). The team stole eight bases in the contest, Lippert, Jacelyn Buck and Brown each stealing two. Victoria Abrams and Dakota Lake combined for a no hitter and 11 strikeouts, Abrams credited with the win and Lake credited with the save.
TRIPLE PLAY –
ULM posted a triple play in the bottom of the fifth inning against Grambling State on Tuesday (March 11), their first since 2015. The Warhawks lead the NCAA with five other teams who have tallied a triple play this season: Alcorn, Campbell, Elon, Houston and Jackson State. ULM has competed against two of the teams they share the honor with.
LOOKING AHEAD –
The softball team will hit the road yet again for a midweek matchup against Southeastern Louisiana. First pitch on Wednesday (March 19) against the Lions is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Hammond.
