MONROE, La. – The ULM softball team (10-5) picked up two more wins on Saturday (Feb. 21), over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-5) and Lamar (7-6) in the second day of the Best on the Bayou Tournament. In a strong showing across the board, the Warhawks remain 3-0 in the tournament. 
 
Game 1: ULM 6, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 0
In a shutout victory, the Warhawks opened with two strikeouts from Skylar Waggoner, who pitched a complete game for ULM. After collecting a hit, ULM was unable to convert for a scoreless first. A three-up, three-down for the Lions set up the Warhawk offense, a single and a double getting runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly from Brooklin Lippert scored the first run of the day for the 1-0 lead.
 
Another scoreless inning came in the third, as Waggoner struck out three more batters. Three more followed in the fourth, hits continuing to find the Warhawks as no more runs were scored. After the fifth inning followed suit, a big sixth inning set up ULM for victory. 
 
After three more batters struck out by Waggoner, Hollie Thomas hit a lead-off single before stealing second. Maryssa Zenzen then hit an in-the-park home run to set off a strong chain of events to turn the tides for the Warhawks. With the score 3-0, Morgan Brown hit her first home run of the season to add on. Dally Engle followed with a third home run in the sixth, leaving the score at 5-0. But a single from Ashanti McDade scored a fifth run of the inning before the Warhawks concluded the inning. The Lions were unable to find a score in the seventh for the shutout 6-0 victory.
 
Morgan Brown led with three hits, Thomas picking up two for another multi-hit game. Zenzen, Brown and Engle all claimed home runs, with Zenzen picking up two RBI. 12 putouts for Engle at catcher had her leading the defense, while Thomas stole two bases to the team's total of six. Waggoner picked up the complete-game shutout win, pitching all seven innings, striking out 13 batters–last achieved in 2009–and allowing just one hit and no runs.
 
Game 2: ULM 12, Lamar 4 (6 inn.)
The second game for the Warhawks saw hot bats again, as ULM scored in every inning of the game for the first time since last season at App State. After Dakota Lake struck out two batters to get out of the first, it was time to show off offensively. A walk and a single allowed for Meagan Brown to hit an RBI single, Hollie Thomas following right behind with a two-RBI single to make it a 3-0 score after one inning. 
 
The Cardinals refused to let up, however, as a single and an RBI double scored the first run for Lamar, making it 3-1. Carson Jansky doubled to lead off in the second, Cheyenne Jenkins then hitting an RBI single to advance the lead further. Two stolen bases and a walk saw Brown up to bat again, who hit a two-RBI single for the 6-1 score. 
 
The third inning had Elle Carter hitting a lead-off single, Maryssa Zenzen doubling to left field for the seventh run of the game. The Cardinals chipped at the lead with a home run, however, Makenzie Wright launching a shot to left field as they looked to bounce back. But two singles and a fielding error loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth for ULM, Dally Engle walking for the score. 
 
Trading runs inning-by-inning, Lamar was able to notch an RBI double for the 8-3 score. But another Carys Platt single had Meagan Brown with an RBI double, Thomas following with a sacrifice fly to cross the double-digit mark. Isabella Flores led off with a solo homer to center field in the top of the sixth, the deficit becoming six. In the bottom of the sixth, Reece Briggs walked and Jenkins singled as Kennan Nunamaker approached the plate to play hero. Nunamaker doubled in her first hit as a Warhawk, scoring two to walk off the win in six innings, 12-4.
 
Meagan Brown led the team with four hits and four RBI on the day, four other Warhawks having multi-hit games and Thomas and Nunamaker each having multi-RBI games. Jenkins stole two bases to lead the team with their five total, also leading the defense with four putouts. Bristin Bordeau was credited with the win, pitching 1.2 innings. Ashanti McDade and Dakota Lake also saw time in the circle, Lake striking out two and McDade holding the Cardinals without a run.
 
The ULM softball team will conclude the Best on the Bayou Tournament with rematches against both teams, facing Lamar at 1:30 p.m. and Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 4 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 22).