MONROE, La. – The ULM Warhawks (28-18, 10-4 Sun Belt) clinched the series against App State (24-15, 4-10 Sun Belt) at the ULM Softball Complex. In a 2-0 score, the ULM defense helped to strand eight App State runners from four hits. The Warhawks also logged just four hits, but capitalized to score two runs in the fifth.
 
While a single from App State landed a runner on base early, pitcher Skylar Waggoner struck out back-to-back batters to close out the inning. A single and a walk from Meagan Brown and Morgan Brown landed two on base for ULM, but three outs kept the contest even and scoreless through the opening inning.
 
An error landed another runner on base in the second, a single placing runners on the corners with two outs. But Madison Fletcher then grounded out to Waggoner, shutting down the scoring attempt. A strikeout opened the bottom frame, the Warhawks going 1-2-3. Another error landed a runner on for App State, but batter's interference led to two outs, Morgan Brown catching the runner stealing second to end the inning without a score.
 
A walk landed a Warhawk on base in the bottom of the third, but the Mountaineer defense kept it scoreless through three. A lead-off single from KB Bradshaw set up the attempt to move her into scoring position, two sacrifice hits advancing her to third. A ground-out to first base then prevented Bradshaw from crossing home. Much similar to the top frame, a lead-off single then brought up the sacrifice hit, a strikeout ending the fourth still tied, 0-0.
 
A three-up, three-down fifth for App State brought up the ULM offense. Brooklin Lippert's lead-off single allowed for Carys Platt to come to bat. A throwing error from the Mountaineers allowed Lippert to cross home, Platt landing on second. Morgan Brown then singled to left field to score the second run of the game. 
 
Now ahead 2-0, back-to-back walks landed runners on base, but three outs stranded two runners in scoring position. Another 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the sixth maintained the two-run advantage heading to the seventh. A lead-off single and a hit-by-pitch landed two on base, the winning run up to bat with no outs. A fielder's choice and a fly-out left one out remaining, Hollie Thomas catching the line-out for the 2-0 victory.
 
Four different Warhawks recorded hits on the day, Hollie Thomas breaking double-digits with a 10-game hitting streak. Morgan Brown recorded a career-high six putouts, Olivia Faggard leading the team with seven. Skylar Waggoner (6.0 IP) earned the win, striking out three batters and allowing no runs. Ashanti McDade (1.0 IP) picked up her third save of the season, allowing one hit, no walks and no runs in the final inning.
 
ULM improves to 10-4 in Sun Belt play with the win, shutting out App State for the series win. The Warhawks will conclude the series on Sunday at noon at the ULM Softball Complex.