FLORENCE, Ala. – The ULM softball team (17-10) swept the second day of the UNA Tournament, claiming wins over Detroit Mercy (2-12) and Samford (16-8) on Saturday (March 8). A shutout of the Titans gave the Warhawks the run-rule victory in their first win, while a close win took ULM to the full seven innings against the Bulldogs.
Game One: ULM 13, Detroit Mercy 0 (5 inn.)
The Warhawks started hot, after struggles to pick up hits early in the last few games. A
Morgan Brown home run in the first inning scored two for the early lead against the Titans. While Detroit Mercy was able to pick up a few hits, they were unable to cross home for any runs.
The second inning was a nine-run inning for ULM, extending the lead further. A single and three walks scored
Maddie Nichols in the second for the 3-0 lead. A double from
Meagan Brown, a triple from
Morgan Brown and a wild pitch scored five more runs in the second, with two outs.
Maryssa Zenzen and
Kelsey Kovar both doubled to score three runs to close out the second, giving the Warhawks the 11-0 score.
Two hits in the third and a hit in the fourth for the Titans left them without a score still, while the fourth brought two more runs for ULM. Kovar hit her first career home run to pick up 2 RBIs for the 13-0 score.
Chloe Randall saw action in the pitching circle to snag the final outs against Detroit Mercy, run-ruling the Titans, 13-0.
Morgan Brown,
Elle Carter and Kovar all led the team with two hits apiece, with Brown and Kovar each logging a home run. Brown, Kovar and
Morgan Brown all tallied three RBIs in the contest as well. Nichols was credited with the win, allowing four hits, no runs and no walks, striking out two batters in the process.
Game Two: ULM 9, Samford 8
Samford struck first, with a walk and a wild pitch setting up the RBI single by Olivia Shaw. Another single by Bulldog Linsey Hargis made the count 2-0 in the first inning. After holding Samford to no hits in the second, the Warhawks put seven runs on the board to take the lead.
Morgan Brown hit her second home run of the day to put ULM on the board. Two walks set up
Jacelyn Buck for her first home run of the season, scoring three more for the lead. A throwing error and a single led to
Meagan Brown's double to score the fifth run of the inning.
Morgan Brown scored another double to score two more, ending the second inning 7-2.
Another run scored by a
Reece Briggs home run in the third inning extended the lead for ULM, but the Bulldogs were not deterred. A wild pitch and a single scored two runs in the fourth, cutting the Warhawk lead to four. Another single and a walk scored two more, leaving the score 8-6. Before the fourth inning was over,
Maryssa Zenzen hit an RBI single to make it a three-run deficit for Samford.
The Bulldogs scored once more in the fifth from a home run, holding ULM without a score in the bottom of the inning. Both teams stood at a 9-7 score going into the seventh, with a lead-off home run for Samford making the lead one run. Three outs were snagged for Samford to end the inning and the game, 9-8.
Brooklin Lippert and
Morgan Brown led the team with two hits apiece, Brown snagging three RBIs.
Jacelyn Buck also picked up three RBIs from her home run.
Victoria Abrams was credited with the win, pitching three innings and allowing four hits, five runs and two walks. Abrams also struck out three batters for the win.
The softball team will continue in the North Alabama Tournament this weekend, competing against North Alabama, Samford and Detroit Mercy. The next game featuring the Warhawks will be on Sunday (March 9) at 10 a.m., facing the Detroit Mercy Titans for a rematch.
