MONROE, La. – The ULM softball team (8-5) claimed their second win at home on Friday night (Feb. 20), defeating the UNI Panthers (3-5), 2-1. In a tight contest, pitchers Maddie Nichols and Ashanti McDade rose to the occasion, striking out a combined 13 batters for the first time since 2009. 
 
In the first inning, three batters were retired by Nichols to close out the top. While the Warhawks got on base, they were unable to convert any scores. A lead-off double by Katelyn Callahan set up Brynn Acton's RBI single in the top of the second for the Panther lead. 
 
Two more strikeouts followed to close the inning. In the third, UNI was held without a score as the Warhawks took their chance to tie things up. A lead-off single from Carson Jansky set up momentum from Brooklin Lippert and eventually Carys Platt, who hit an RBI single to tie the game at 1. 
 
1-2-3 innings came for both teams in the fourth, another scoreless frame in the fifth. But after holding UNI to a three-up, three-down in the sixth, ULM got to work. Back-to-back singles from Kailey Monsef and Platt set up the sacrifice bunt from Meagan Brown to get both Warhawks in scoring position. Hollie Thomas forced a fielder's choice, Monsef scoring the winning run. Another quick inning came for UNI in the top of the seventh as the Warhawks squeezed by with the 2-1 victory.
 
Platt claimed the only multi-hit game for the Warhawks, posting two hits and a walk. Platt and Thomas each picked up an RBI, Thomas also snagging a stolen base and 13 putouts. A career-high 11 strikeouts came for Maddie Nichols, who saw five innings and allowed three hits, an earned run and two walks. Ashanti McDade pitched two innings in relief, striking out two batters and allowing no hits and no runs.
 
The ULM softball team will continue play in the Best on the Bayou Tournament on Saturday (Feb. 21), facing Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 3 p.m. and Lamar at 5:30 p.m.