MONROE, La. – The ULM softball team (24-13, 5-2 Sun Belt) picked up their fifth Sun Belt win to open the weekend series against Troy (21-14, 3-4 Sun Belt), extending its win streak at home to 16. A scoreless five innings for both teams made it an even match, but the Warhawks captured the first score, snapping Troy's rally in the seventh.
Troy's Alyssa Faircloth and the Trojan defense held their own across the first five innings, holding the Warhawks to two hits.
Maddie Nichols and the home team defense did the same, allowing only three hits in six innings.
The first hit for either team came in the third inning, when McKinnon Howard singled to get on the board. But
Morgan Brown caught her stealing, securing the third out.
Carys Platt picked up the first hit in the third for the Warhawks, but three outs snapped any momentum that may have been building.
Troy's Taylor McKinney singled to center field in the fourth, but a strikeout closed the top of the fourth before the Trojans could capitalize. The same occurred in the fifth for the Trojans, as a single was hit early, but three outs were captured before any runs were scored.
Jacelyn Buck picked up a double for ULM in the fifth, but three ground outs ended the fifth with a 0-0 tie.
After holding Troy without a hit in the top of the sixth,
Morgan Brown singled to left field to get things going for ULM. After Brown was called out,
Hollie Thomas notched a single with two outs in the sixth.
Maryssa Zenzen followed up with a two-run bomb to center field, her eighth home run of the season to take the 2-0 lead.
As the scoring broke open in the sixth, Caiden Oliva hit a solo home run in the seventh to close the gap to one run. Another single for the Trojans continued the rally attempt, but three outs secured the win for the Warhawks, keeping them undefeated at home this season.
Zenzen led the team with two RBIs on the day from her home run. Five Warhawks picked up hits on the day, with Buck and Zenzen capturing the only extra-base hits.
Reece Briggs led ULM with eight putouts at first base. Pitcher
Maddie Nichols (9-4) was credited with the win, pitching the full seven innings and allowing one run, two walks and striking out three Trojans.
The Warhawks will be back in action on Saturday (March 29) for the second game in the series against Troy. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. for ULM's breast cancer awareness game.
