MONROE, La. – The ULM softball team (7-4) returns to the ULM Softball Complex, hosting the Best on the Bayou Tournament from February 20 to 22. The Warhawks will first face UNI (2-4) on Friday (Feb. 20) at 5 p.m. ULM will then take on Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-1) on Saturday at 3 p.m., concluding the day with Lamar (6-4) at 5:30 p.m. On Sunday, the Warhawks will see Lamar again at 1:30 p.m. before rounding out the tournament with a 4 p.m. game against UAPB. Streaming will not be available, but live stats can be found at ulmwarhawks.com/stats.

BEST ON THE BAYOU –

The Warhawks have been hosting tournaments in Monroe since 1984, hosting 40 tournaments in 37 seasons of softball. ULM holds a 127-63-2 record in tournaments they host, on a current 14-game win streak in hosted tournaments that dates back to 2024. The Warhawks went a perfect 10-0 last season in the Warhawk Invitational and the Best on the Bayou Tournament.

SERIES HISTORY VS. UNI – 

The Warhawks will take on the Panthers for the first time since 2021, looking to improve on a series record that has UNI in the driver's seat. Northern Iowa is 9-1 in the 10 meetings with ULM, the lone win for the Warhawks coming in the Panthers' lone trip to Monroe in 2001. ULM looks to break a seven-game skid against UNI.

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS –

The Panthers sit at 2-4 so far this season, picking up wins over Kansas City and Butler during opening weekend. Most recently, UNI fell in a five-inning decision at Central Arkansas, 12-0. Preseason All-MVC First Team member Kate Lappe leads the team with a .533 batting average, driving in seven runs from eight hits, including three home runs. Pitcher Anna Wischnowski already has 11 strikeouts on her stat line this season, posting a 1-2 record and 6.86 ERA this seaosn. The Panthers were selected to finish second in the Missouri Valley Conference with four first-place votes. Four UNI players were also recognized on the Preseason All-MVC First Team.

SERIES HISTORY VS. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF – 

The Warhawks hold the 7-1 edge over the Lions in the 18-year series, also on a five-game win streak. Most recently, ULM defeated the Lions in 2019 in Conway, Arkansas. With the lone loss for the Warhawks also coming in Conway, Arkansas, ULM is undefeated when hosting UAPB. The last time the Lions made the trip to Monroe was 2016, a 4-1 win for the Warhawks.

SCOUTING THE LIONS –

The Lions opened the season against Western Illinois last weekend, claiming a 2-1 record for the series victory. Ryen Gaddis scored two runs off two hits and stole a base during opening weekend to hit .500. The lone extra-base hit has come from Lyric Perry so far, in a double. Heidi Price leads the pitching room with six strikeouts in seven innings, posting a 2.00 ERA.

SERIES HISTORY VS. LAMAR – 

The Warhawks will be facing the Cardinals for the 31st and 32nd meetings all-time, in a series that dates back 1983. The very first meeting between the teams was a 4-2 win for Lamar in Beaumont, before the Warhawks took control of the series. ULM holds the 17-13 edge all-time, but the Cardinals are on a five-game win streak in the last few years. Lamar swept the Warhawks in 2025 (3-0, 3-2) in Beaumont in ULM's opening two games of last season. 

SCOUTING THE CARDINALS –

The Cardinals look to expand on a two-game win streak, most recently defeating Sam Houston, 9-4. Lamar holds a 6-4 record after going 2-3 in the LSU Tiger Classic, then sweeping UIC for a 3-1 record at the Carl Vincent Insurance Invitational. All three wins for the Cardinals were run-rule victories last weekend. Cimara-lei Wessling leads Lamar with a .414 batting average, scoring nine runs off 12 hits, including five doubles, a triple and a homer. Reagan Smith leads in the circle, posting a 3.35 ERA from six appearances, holding a 3-0 record and 16 strikeouts.

LAST TIME OUT –

The ULM softball team fell in an 11-inning thriller to Louisiana Tech, 3-2. Elle Carter and Carys Platt both claimed multi-hit games as Reece Briggs picked up a two-RBI game with a single. Ashanti McDade struck out two batters and allowing one run in 5.1 innings in the circle. A walk and a single from Carter in the top of the fifth allowed Briggs to score two for the ULM lead. But the Bulldogs responded in the sixth as a double and a single placed two on bags as Alannah Rogers singled to score two and knot up the game again. Even as chances were created for both teams, extra innings were forced. In the 11th inning, with two outs recorded, Bradi Gallaway hit a home run to walk things off, 3-2. 

LOOKING AHEAD –

The ULM softball team will next prepare for another trip to a local opponent, traveling to face Grambling State on Wednesday (Feb. 25). First pitch against the Tigers is scheduled for 3 p.m.