MONROE, La. – The ULM Warhawks (23-17, 6-3 Sun Belt) defeated Alcorn State (11-22, 0-10 SWAC) in a 4-1 score at the ULM Softball Complex. Concluding their eight-game homestand, the Warhawks collected six hits and scored four. The Braves also notched six hits, scoring just one.
 
Back-to-back strikeouts from Maddie Nichols had the Warhawks shutting down any scoring in the first. The Braves then returned the favor, however, a 1-2-3 inning keeping it scoreless after the opening inning. Another strikeout for Nichols in the second shut down the Braves offense. While Hollie Thomas doubled to center field to drive the Warhawk offense for the first hit of the day, she was stranded on second.
 
Two more strikeouts came in the third, a single getting the offense going for Alcorn State. But a tag out at first base ended the third and sent the Warhawks to bat. An error got Dally Engle on base in the bottom frame, but she was stranded as the score remained 0-0 through three.
 
Paris Thompson got on base from a single in the top of the fourth, but two ground-outs and a strikeout kept the Braves without a score. Meagan Brown hit a lead-off double to get the Warhawk offense on the right foot, Thomas singling to land two runners on base. A wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third, a passed ball scoring the first run of the game. A walk then set up another passed ball to score the second run, ULM ahead 2-0 through four.
 
A lead-off single from Rajayla McBride set up Olivia Miller's double to left field as Alcorn State scored a run to make it a one-run game. Catcher Dally Engle caught a runner at home to keep it to one score, 2-1, heading for the bottom of the fifth. Two Warhawks landed on base from a single and a hit-by-pitch, but three outs left the home team with a one-run advantage.
 
Three pitches gave way to three outs in the top of the sixth, with a ground-out, a fly-out and a foul-out. In the bottom frame, Olivia Faggard singled to get on base, while Elle Carter recorded her first triple of the season to score the third run of the game. A sacrifice fly from Kennan Nunamaker then scored the fourth run as ULM extended the lead.
 
Two singles got runners on base, but Bristin Bordeau was able to strike out two batters to claim the victory and shut down any scoring opportunities. 
 
It was a multi-hit day for Hollie Thomas (2-for-3), who claimed two hits. Thomas and Meagan Brown each logged doubles for extra-base hits, Elle Carter recording a triple. Dally Engle led the Warhawk defense with 10 putouts under her belt. Maddie Nichols (6.0 IP) struck out seven batters, walking none and allowing one earned run to claim the win. Bristin Bordeau (1.0 IP) registered her first career save, with two strikeouts, no runs and no walks.
 
The win marks the 500^th while at the ULM Softball Complex, the Warhawks now holding a 500-430-4 record when playing at home. The Warhawks will hit the road for another Sun Belt series, facing Georgia Southern beginning on Thursday (April 2) at 5 p.m. CT.