MONROE, La. – The ULM Warhawks (19-16, 3-3 Sun Belt) fell in the series finale against South Alabama (20-14, 4-2 Sun Belt), 5-1. South Alabama led with seven hits and fielding no errors, while ULM posted five hits and collected two errors.
A lead-off double in the first by Presley Lively set up the Jaguars in good position early. A walk landed two on base, as a single drove in the first run of the game. With one out on the board for ULM,
Meagan Brown tripled to right field,
Morgan Brown scoring her twin sister with a double of her own to tie it up, 1-1, in the first.
A three-up, three-down inning for South Alabama brought back the Warhawk offense in the second.
Carys Platt tripled down the left field line, a walk getting a second runner on base. But both were stranded as three outs were captured. A lead-off triple by Lively set up a Gracie Dees sacrifice fly, as the second run was scored and the Jaguars regained the lead. The Warhawks were then held scoreless in the third as South Alabama's offense got a chance to break the game open.
After a walk and a single landed two more on base for USA, a sacrifice bunt advanced the runners as Ansleigh Smith doubled to plate two more. Now ahead 4-1, the Jaguars held ULM without a score in the fourth, even with Platt's second extra-base hit in a double.
A quick fifth inning held the score with South Alabama ahead three, the Warhawks keeping the Jaguars without a score in the sixth. Pinch hitters tried to switch it up for ULM, but the game was sent to the seventh, still down three. Back-to-back doubles for the visitors scored another run, the Warhawks turning another double play to get out of the inning. A 1-2-3 inning closed the contest, South Alabama claiming the 5-1 victory.
With all five hits from ULM being extra-base hits,
Morgan Brown (2-3) logged two doubles and
Carys Platt (2-3) collecting her first extra-base hits of the season. Platt registered both a double and a triple in the contest.
Olivia Faggard at first base led the team with eight putouts.
Ashanti McDade (3.1 IP) was credited with the loss, allowing three earned runs and two walks.
Skylar Waggoner (3.2 IP) arrived in the circle in relief, striking out two, walking one and allowing one earned run.
ULM sits at 3-3 in league play, still clinching the series over the Jaguars. The Warhawks will remain in Monroe to continue an eight-game homestand, next hosting Southeastern Louisiana in a midweek on Tuesday (March 24). First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.
