MOBILE, Ala. – The ULM softball team (34-16, 14-5 Sun Belt) took the first game of the series over South Alabama (17-29, 6-12 Sun Belt) on Friday evening (April 25) in Mobile, clinching conference tournament berth and defeating the Jaguars in Mobile for the first time since 2018. The Warhawks extend their Sun Belt win streak to six with the win as well.
 
ULM struck early, Brooklin Lippert leading off with a triple, her third extra-base hit of the season. Two sacrifice flies then scored the first two runs of the game, by Meagan Brown and Maryssa Zenzen. After two Jaguars got on base in the first to even the score, Hollie Thomas tagged a runner out at home, holding South Alabama scoreless in the first.
 
The Warhawks added to the tally in the second with another sacrifice fly by Meagan Brown for the 3-0 lead, Jacelyn Buck leading off with a double to get in scoring position. The Jaguars then went three-up, three-down, Victoria Abrams striking out a pitcher for the third out. Both teams went 1-2-3 in the third and fourth, Abrams tacking on another strikeout to maintain the three-run lead.
 
In the fifth, Zenzen singled to left field, collecting an RBI and an error advancing her to third and scoring another run for the five-run advantage. But a two-run home run cut the lead back to three as Sophia Mendoza tacked on the first two runs of the contest for South Alabama.
 
After collecting two outs in the sixth, Meagan Brown hit an RBI single and Morgan Brown followed with a two-RBI double to make the score 8-2. After Thomas was walked and Zenzen was hit by a pitch, the bases were loaded, allowing Layla Thompson's walk to score yet another run before the conclusion of the sixth.
 
An RBI double for South Alabama scored to cut the lead to six, then holding ULM scoreless at the top of the seventh to look for a late rally. After an RBI single scored the Jaguars' fourth run and the bases were loaded, a double play closed out the game, giving the Warhawks the 9-4 win to open the series.
 
Brooklin Lippert led the squad with a career-high four hits, logging her second triple of her career, also stealing her 29^thbase of the season. Meagan Brown led the team with three RBIs, scoring a run and tallying a hit. Hollie Thomas had two hits and scored a run, also tying her career high with eight putouts. Victoria Abrams was credited with the win, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing two runs and three walks, striking out four batters in the process. Dakota Lake was credited with the save, pitching 2.1 innings and allowing two runs and a ball, striking out three batters to close out the game in the circle.
 
ULM Softball will be back in action on Saturday (April 26) at 3 p.m., as they continue the series in Mobile against the Jaguars.