SAN MARCOS, Texas – 11 stranded runners for the home team allowed for the ULM softball team (17-13, 1-1 Sun Belt) to claim the 6-3 victory over Texas State (17-9, 1-1 Sun Belt) and even the series. This is the first time since 2016 the Warhawks have won in San Marcos, breaking an 11-game skid to the Bobcats that dates back to 2022.
Early scoring got ULM on top, back-to-back singles from
Brooklin Lippert and
Meagan Brown setting up
Hollie Thomas, who reached on an error and allowed Lippert to score. The bases were loaded in the bottom of the inning, but a double play concluded the inning with ULM ahead, 1-0.
Another inning of back-to-back singles came in the second for the Warhawks, as
Olivia Faggard and
Carys Platt got on base, before Lippert made it three consecutive hits to load the bases. A sacrifice fly from Meagan scored the second run of the game, before
Morgan Brown hit a two-RBI single to make it a four-run game in the second. Texas State would not go quietly, however, getting on the board in the bottom. A single, a double and a walk loaded the bases, a walk scoring the first run. A ground-out scored another, closing the deficit to two runs, 4-2.
A 1-2-3 inning for both teams in the third brought the fourth, where the Warhawks were held to another three-up, three-down inning. While two got on base for the Bobcats in the fourth, a fielder's choice shut down any scoring attempts. A walk and a single set up more scoring opportunities for ULM in the fifth, a sacrifice bunt preparing Thomas' ground-out to score Lippert.
Two more were stranded for Texas State in the fifth, as ULM continued to push in the late innings. A single from
Elle Carter and a walk got two on base, another hit from Lippert loading the bases again. A walk from
Meagan Brown scored the sixth run of the inning before the Bobcats escaped the jam. Back-to-back singles came in the bottom of the inning, but the Warhawk defense shut down the scoring for the fourth-straight inning. A scoreless seventh for ULM brought up the Bobcats' final attempt at a comeback. Aiyana Coleman was able to log a solo home run for the third run, but that was the only scoring of the inning, ULM claiming the 6-3 victory.
Brooklin Lippert logged three hits to lead the team, landing on base in all four of her opportunities.
Meagan Brown also had a multi-hit game with two,
Morgan Brown joining her twin sister as both girls snagged two RBIs. Five other Warhawks claimed hits in the contest.
Carys Platt and
Olivia Faggard each picked up seven putouts for the defense, the team turning its 12 double play of the season.
Dakota Lake did have the start in the circle, but
Skylar Waggoner (4-3) saw seven innings of play and claimed the win.
The Warhawks will remain in San Marcos on Sunday as the team looks to claim the series over the Bobcats for the first time since 2022, the first time in San Marcos since 1996. First pitch on Sunday (March 15) is slated for noon.
