MONROE, La. – The ULM softball team (27-13) defeated Northwestern State (4-31) for the second time this season, this time a 10-4 score at the ULM Softball Complex on Wednesday (April 2) night. A four-spot to open scoring for the Warhawks got them ahead early, but they continued to press in windy conditions.
To open up the scoring, Northwestern State put up a run from a sacrifice fly in the first inning. But a lengthy bottom half of the first gave ULM the edge. As
Brooklin Lippert got on base to lead off,
Meagan Brown hit a single for the tying run.
Morgan Brown went on to hit a double to score her sister, taking the lead for the Warhawks. Brown went on to score off a wild pitch and throwing error for the 3-1 lead.
Kelsey Kovar got in the action in the first as well, hitting an RBI single to close out the four-spot.
The Demons kept their composure in the second inning, an RBI single from Grace Ann McDonald closing the gap and another run scoring from a fielder's choice. In the bottom of the second,
Elle Carter picked up two RBIs from a single, extending the lead yet again to three runs, 6-3. A double play kept Northwestern State scoreless in the third, as ULM extended the lead.
Layla Thompson doubled to left center, scoring off a Lippert bunt for the seventh run.
A scoreless fourth inning for both teams brought another strong inning for ULM in the fifth. After getting the Demons three-up, three-down in the top of the fifth, Lippert hit the lead-off single to get on base.
Meagan Brown hit the RBI single for another run, with
Jacelyn Buck following close behind with an RBI double.
Elle Carter picked up her third RBI of the night by scoring Buck before the ground-out, making it 10-3.
In the sixth, Northwestern State's Riley Schwisow stole home for the Demons' fourth run of the contest. Three outs closed the top of the sixth, but the Demons went on the hold ULM scoreless in the bottom.
Mimi Blackledge entered the circle for ULM in the seventh, striking out her first batter and picking up two more outs to solidify the win, 10-4.
The Warhawks stole seven bases in the contest, the second-most stolen this season.
Meagan Brown led the charge with three stolen bases, a career high. Three bases have not been stolen by a Warhawk since 2022. Lippert led the team with three hits, also posting two runs, an RBI and stealing two bases. Carter led with three RBIs, picking up a run, a hit and a stolen base.
Victoria Abrams (8-3) is credited with the win, pitching six innings and allowing three earned runs and four walks. Blackledge saw an inning of action as well, striking out a batter and allowing no runs, no hits and no walks.
ULM Softball will be back in action this weekend, traveling to take on Southern Miss in their next Sun Belt series. The first game in the series is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday (April 4).
