MONROE, La. – The ULM softball team (2-4) fought off the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (4-2) at the ULM Softball Complex on Tuesday night (Feb. 10), in a nine-inning thriller. In a 3-2 score,
Skylar Waggoner and
Ashanti McDade combined for 12 strikeouts, the most by ULM since 2022.
The Warhawks recorded three runs on 11 hits, closing on double-digits for the first time this season. ULM also claimed no errors. The Lumberjacks scored two runs off five hits, also noting two errors.
A three-up, three-down first inning opened the door for the Warhawk offense in the bottom of the second,
Morgan Brown and
Elle Carter hitting singles,
Tessie Harrison walking to load the bases. A walk for
Carys Platt allowed for the 1-0 score and lead for the home team after two innings. But SFA would not let up, a lead-off double by Malia Jones placing the Jacks in position to pick up two scores off another double and a single. After three innings, the visitors had the 2-1 advantage.
Two strikeouts for Waggoner made the fourth inning scoreless across the board, the pitcher claiming two more in the fifth.
Hollie Thomas was then able to knock back her first career home run to tie the score 2-2 with six innings in the book. ULM continued to get runners on base, stranding 10 across the game, but were unable to capitalize in the final inning of regulation to set up extra innings.
McDade entered the circle in the eighth inning, striking out a batter to get the Warhawks back on track. The bases were loaded in the eighth inning for ULM, but the three runners were once again stranded as the Lumberjack defense held the score even. Three strikeouts for McDade sent the game to the bottom of the ninth, as
Meagan Brown and
Kailey Monsef singled to land on base. It was the fielder's choice in the bottom of the ninth with Thomas at bat, however, that allowed for Brown to cross home plate and secure the 3-2 victory.
Morgan Brown led the team with three hits on the day,
Elle Carter and
Hollie Thomas each picking up two. Thomas also led the team with two RBI with her first career home run, as well as 12 putouts for the defense.
Ashanti McDade captured the win in two innings in the circle, with four strikeouts, allowing one hit and no runs.
Skylar Waggoner saw seven innings of action, striking out eight batters while allowing a walk, four hits and two runs.
ULM improves to 2-4 as they look to hit the road in the FGCU Eagle Invitational. The softball team will open play in Fort Myers on Friday (Feb. 13) at 8 a.m. CT, facing Hofstra in the first of five games.
