MONROE, La. – Over 1,000 fans were in the crowd at the ULM Softball Complex as the Warhawks (18-15, 2-2 Sun Belt) picked up the series lead against South Alabama (19-13, 3-1 Sun Belt), handing the Jaguars their first conference loss of the season. In the 2-1 contest, pitcher Ashanti McDade was able to shine with five strikeouts and a complete game under her belt.
 
Two strikeouts retired batters early as South Alabama went 1-2-3 in the opening frame, the Warhawks getting a lead-off walk in the bottom. A sacrifice bunt placed Brooklin Lippert in scoring position as an RBI single from Morgan Brown plated the first Warhawk. One runner got on base with one out for South Alabama in the second, two batters retired to strand the runner. While Olivia Faggard got her second double of the season under her belt, ULM did not capitalize.
 
The Jaguars went three-up, three-down in the third, still on the hunt for a hit as ULM was able to string some offense together. Two singles and two stolen bases laid the foundation, but two outs closed the inning before runners could cross home. A lead-off single by Presley Lively brought the Jaguar offense to life in the fourth, but Virginia Mambelli grounded out to the double play to keep South Alabama at bay.
 
Two more hits came in the fourth for ULM, but both runners were stranded to keep the 1-0 score. Another 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth for the visitors set up hot bats for the Warhawks, Morgan Brown singling to land on base. Hollie Thomas then followed with an RBI double, advancing to third to score the second run of the contest. 
 
Ahead 2-0, the Warhawks worked to maintain the lead as South Alabama continued to fight for hits. Another came in the sixth, but McDade and the ULM defense held strong to force another scoreless frame. After the Warhawks also came up empty in the sixth, the fight was on in the seventh. A double from Mambelli in the top placed her in scoring position, Olivia Branstetter singling to score a run with two outs on the board. A line-out to Elle Carter called game before a comeback was formed, however, securing the 2-1 victory over the lone undefeated Sun Belt team.
 
Morgan Brown led the team with a three-hit day, claiming one of the RBIs on the evening and going three-for-three when batting. Olivia Faggard (2-for-2) recorded her first multi-hit game with two, as three other Warhawks picked up hits. Faggard also registered 10 putouts for the ULM defense. Ashanti McDade claimed her seventh win of the season, pitching the full seven innings and striking out a career-high five in the process. 
 
ULM improves to 2-2 in league play, defeating the Jaguars in Monroe for the first time since 2019. The Warhawks will remain in Monroe on Saturday to continue the series at 2 p.m.