MONROE, La. – The ULM Warhawks (19-17, 3-3 Sun Belt) fell in a 3-0 contest over the Southeastern Louisiana Lions (27-9, 9-0 Southland) at the ULM Softball Complex on Tuesday evening (March 24). An early hot offense set up the Lions for success, as ULM struggled to cross home plate.
A lead-off solo home run from Shelby Morris had ULM down after the first batter of the contest. A single, a double and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, pitcher
Dakota Lake claiming a strikeout to get out of the jam. Cera Blanchard was able to return in the favor in the bottom frame, however, striking out two Warhawks to keep the home team without a score.
A runner landed on base from an error as a single scored the second run for the Lions, another scoring the third as SLU secured a 3-0 lead in the second. In the bottom of the inning,
Olivia Faggard singled,
Kelsey Kovar following with a hit of her own to get on base.
Elle Carter then loaded the bases with her own single, a fielder's choice ending the inning and stranding all three runners.
While a single got a Lion on base in the third, two outs had already been collected. Kovar and Carter worked together to catch the runner stealing to end the inning. Similarly, one Warhawk landed on base, but three more were retired to end the third. Still ahead by three runs, SLU went 1-2-3 in the fourth, Faggard leading off the Warhawks with a single. Back-to-back fielder's choices led to the third out to leave two on base.
Another three-up, three-down in the fifth brought back the ULM offense, a walk getting a runner on. But three more outs were captured as the three-run deficit remained heading into the sixth. A lead-off single got the Lions in position to add to the tally, but a fielder's choice and two ground-outs gave ULM an opportunity.
After the Warhawks were shut down without a score in the sixth, the ULM defense then picked up the 1-2-3 inning in the top of the seventh.
Carys Platt walked to lead off the bottom frame, a sacrifice bunt from
Brooklin Lippert advancing Platt. But a strikeout and a fly-out closed the inning and concluded the contest, 3-0.
Olivia Faggard (2-3) recorded her second multi-hit game in a week, tying her career high with 14 putouts at first base.
Dakota Lake (1.1 IP) was credited with the loss, allowing two earned runs off four hits and striking out a batter.
Skylar Waggoner (5.2 IP) also struck out a batter, allowing no earned runs and no walks in her outing.
The Warhawks will remain in Monroe to continue an eight-game homestand, next hosting the Ragin' Cajuns in a Sun Belt series beginning on Friday (March 27). First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.
