MONROE, La. – The ULM softball team (26-13) remains home for a midweek matchup, taking on Northwestern State (4-30) at the ULM Softball Complex. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+ and live stats can be found at ulmwarhawks.com. The Warhawks are looking to continue their undefeated streak at home by sweeping the Lady Demons after a stellar showing in Natchitoches earlier this season.
SERIES HISTORY VS. NORTHWESTERN STATE –
The Warhawks will take on the Demons for the 127th meeting this week, looking to continue their two-game win streak over Northwestern State. ULM holds a 62-63-1 all-time record against the Demons, the series dating back to 1980, the ULM Softball program's initial season. In the last two games between these two teams, the Warhawks have defeated the Demons in five innings. The last meeting came earlier this season, when the Warhawks defeated Northwestern State in Natchitoches, 13-0, on Feb. 26.
SCOUTING THE DEMONS –
The Demons hold a 4-30 record this season, most recently going 1-2 in a weekend series against East Texas A&M in Commerce. Most notably, Northwestern State shut out No. 20 Mississippi State on March 2, 5-0. The Demons have also claimed wins over Alabama State and Memphis. DJ Lynch currently leads the team with a .311 batting average, 16 RBIs and six doubles. Sophia Livers also drives the team, leading in runs (19), hits (27) and total bases (34).
LAST TIME OUT –
ULM swept the Troy Trojans at home, maintaining their undefeated streak at the ULM Softball Complex. On Friday (March 28), it was a pitcher's duel between Maddie Nichols and Troy's Alyssa Faircloth. Both teams were held scoreless through five innings, before Maryssa Zenzen hit a two-run homer in the sixth for the lead and eventual win. While the Trojans hit a solo home run in the seventh, it was not enough, giving ULM the edge, 2-1.
On Saturday (March 29), it was a hard-fought contest yet again, as both teams went back and forth for the win. Troy got off to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, but five unanswered runs by ULM in the third and fourth innings gave the home team an advantage. Hollie Thomas hit a two-RBI double to get the Warhawks on the board, with Carys Platt and Meagan Brown picking up RBIs for the tie and eventual lead. A two-run homer by Troy in the fifth inning tied things up, 5-5. Tied in the seventh with two outs, Elle Carter played hero, hitting an RBI single for the 6-5 victory and clinching the series.
On Sunday (March 30), Troy got off to an early start yet again, this time scoring four runs in the first inning. ULM continued to battle back, as Carter and a fielder's choice made it a 3-4 contest. The Trojans extended their lead to two runs with an RBI single, but the fourth inning brought Thomas and Meagan Brown to the plate, giving the Warhawks the lead. Morgan Brown then added to the lead with an RBI double in the sixth, making it a 7-5 game. A two-run homer tied things up for Troy in the top of the seventh, with the potential for extra innings. But an RBI single from Platt walked off the win for the second-straight game, sweeping the Trojans, 8-7.
HAVING FUN AT HOME –
The Warhawks have the winningest home record in the NCAA this season, as they remain undefeated at the ULM Softball Complex, going 18-0 so far this season. 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. ULM then defeated McNeese, 5-1, in a midweek matchup before sweeping both Georgia State and Troy in Sun Belt play.
WALK IT OFF –
The Warhawks have claimed five walk-off wins so far this season, the first two occurring in the Best on the Bayou Tournament held at the ULM Softball Complex. Carys Platt is credited with the walk-off single in both wins, against SEMO (March 1) and Memphis (March 2). ULM then snagged a walk-off win over Georgia State (March 15), with Meagan Brown hitting an RBI double for the win. In the weekend series against Troy, Elle Carter hit an RBI single to walk it off for the series win (March 29) and Platt walked off the win for the third time this season, clinching the series sweep (March 30).
LOOKING AHEAD –
The ULM softball team will hit the road this weekend for a matchup against the Southern Miss Lady Eagles in Hattiesburg, Miss. The first game in the series is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday (April 4).
