HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The ULM softball team (27-13, 7-2 Sun Belt) hits the road for the second time in conference play, taking on Southern Miss (18-18, 5-3 Sun Belt) in Hattiesburg, Miss. The Warhawks will take on the Lady Eagles on Friday (April 4) at 6 p.m., on Saturday at 2 p.m. and close out the series on Sunday at noon. All games will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available at ULMWarhawks.com. ULM looks to improve their conference record on the road.
SERIES HISTORY VS. SOUTHERN MISS –
The Warhawks will take on the Lady Eagles for the 46th, 47th and 48th meetings this weekend, looking to continue their two-game win streak over Southern Miss. ULM holds a 26-19 all-time record against the Lady Eagles, the series dating back to 1983, when the Warhawks defeated Southern Miss, 7-4, in Hattiesburg. The last meeting came in 2024, when the Warhawks went 2-1 on the weekend in Hattiesburg against the Lady Eagles. Prior to last season's wins, ULM had not beaten Southern Miss since 2007.
SCOUTING THE LADY EAGLES –
The Lady Eagles hold an 18-18 record this season, most recently falling to Nicholls in Thibodeaux, 6-8, for their midweek game. In Sun Belt play, Southern Miss went 2-0 against South Alabama and 2-1 against Troy. The Lady Eagles have also defeated Ole Miss, Marshall and Southeastern Louisiana in nonconference play. Jana Lee leads the team in home runs (4) and RBIs (22), hitting a grand slam for the early lead against Nicholls, her second slam of the season. The Lady Eagles were voted 10th in the Preseason Sun Belt poll after a 22-29 campaign in 2024.
LAST TIME OUT –
The ULM softball team defeating Northwestern State, 10-4 to extend the 19-game home win streak for ULM. To open up the scoring, Northwestern State put up a run in the first inning. Meagan Brown went on to hit a single for the tying run in the bottom of the first. Morgan Brown then hit a double to score her sister, taking the lead for the Warhawks. Kelsey Kovar got in the action as well, hitting an RBI single as well.
The Demons closed the gap with an RBI single, 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. Layla Thompson doubled to left center in the fourth, scoring off a Lippert bunt for the seventh run.
Meagan Brown hit the RBI single for another run, with Jacelyn Buck following close behind with an RBI double. Carter picked up her third RBI of the night, making it 10-3. In the sixth, Northwestern State stole home for the Demons' fourth run of the contest. Mimi Blackledge entered the circle for ULM in the seventh, striking out her first batter to solidify the win, 10-4. The Warhawks stole seven bases in the contest, the second-most stolen this season.
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).
NATIONAL RECOGNITION –
In Week 8, D1Softball named ULM to be No. 24 in the Mid-Major Rankings with a 27-13 record so far this season. The Warhawks have never been ranked in the Mid-Major Top 25.
Softball America also released their April Position Power Rankings, revealing Morgan Brown to be ranked seventh nationally at second baseman. Brown was previously ranked ninth in the Softball America's March Position Power Rankings. Brown has a .408 batting average, posting 11 doubles, three triples and nine home runs. The Katy, Texas native has 43 RBIs under her belt, having stolen eight bases this season.
LOOKING AHEAD –
The ULM softball team will continue its Sun Belt road trip by facing App State in Boone, N.C. The first game against the Mountaineers is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday (April 11).
