MONROE, La. – The ULM Warhawks (20-17, 4-3 Sun Belt) snagged the first game of the Sun Belt series against local foe Ragin' Cajuns (20-14, 3-4 Sun Belt). The win marks the first over the Cajuns in Monroe since 2007. What began as a pitcher's duel ended in a 10-hit victory for the home team.
The visitors scored first, as a single and a double allowed for a run to score. But the Warhawks would not be denied in the first,
Brooklin Lippert's lead-off single placing one on base.
Morgan Brown then singled,
Olivia Faggard's double plating both runners for the 2-1 lead after the first.
While back-to-back singles got runners on base for the Cajuns, three outs were captured to hold the team without a score. More hits came for ULM in the second, a single and a
Carys Platt double. But three batters were retired to strand the runners. Much like the second inning, the visitors logged a hit but ULM's defense got out of the inning. The offense then set up a 1-2-3 inning to send the game to the fourth.
Another single for ULL came in the fourth, but the runner was caught stealing by
Kelsey Kovar and
Morgan Brown to secure the second out of the inning. Back-to-back singles added to the hit tally for the Warhawks in the bottom frame, runners unable to score as the 2-1 lead maintained. Both teams recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the fifth as the contest quickly evolved to the sixth.
One hit and one stranded runner defined the top of the sixth for the Cajuns, setting up ULM's opportunity to extend the lead.
Hollie Thomas doubled to get in scoring position, Kovar walking to keep the offense alive. With two outs on the board,
Elle Carter singled to score Thomas, making it a two-run game.
Maryssa Zenzen then singled to score another, settling the 4-1 game.
A walk and a single landed two runners on base, both advancing to get in scoring position with two outs on the board. While the bases got loaded, the third out was captured and ULM broke a 19-year skid in Monroe.
With 10 hits in the contest,
Elle Carter and
Carson Jansky both recorded multi-hit games.
Olivia Faggard's two-RBI game was her first of her career, as she also logged 15 putouts at first base.
Ashanti McDade claimed the complete-game victory to sit at 8-8 on the season, striking out one batter and walking two while only allowing one run.
ULM improves to 4-3 in conference play heading into the second game of the series. The Warhawks will continue the series against the Cajuns on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.
