STATESBORO, Ga. – The ULM Warhawks (24-18, 7-4 Sun Belt) had the series evened against them by Georgia Southern (17-19, 5-6 Sun Belt) in a 2-0 score on Friday evening (April 3). Despite claiming five hits and loading the bases at one point, ULM could not convert the hits into runs, while Georgia Southern capitalized two times off six hits.
A lead-off strikeout by Alana Barnard for the Eagles set up the three-up, three-down frame to open the game. While a runner got on base in the bottom half, ULM's defense held strong to prevent a score. Another 1-2-3 inning in the second brought up two hits from the home team in a single and a double. But a strikeout from
Skylar Waggoner kept the Eagles scoreless.
Carys Platt hit a single to claim the first Warhawk hit of the night, but the third out was captured to strand her in the third. Emma Davis reached on an error in the bottom of the third, but two fly-outs kept the score tied 0-0 through three innings.
Another single came in the fourth for
Hollie Thomas, but she was also stranded to lead into the bottom frame. A lead-off walk landed a runner on base as a double scored the first run and gave Georgia Southern the advantage. Waggoner prevented any further scores with a strikeout and a line out.
ULM went on to go three-up, three-down again in the fifth, as back-to-back doubles scored the second run of the game for the Eagles. It was the sixth inning when the Warhawks battled for a comeback attempt. With one out,
Brooklin Lippert claimed the single, both
Meagan Brown and
Morgan Brown following suit. With the bases loaded and one out, two more outs were captured by Georgia Southern to get out of the jam and hold onto the lead.
While another runner got on base in the bottom of the sixth, a double play was turned to keep the deficit for ULM at two. A strikeout opened the top of the seventh, two more outs coming to conclude the game at a 2-0 score.
Five different Warhawks recorded hits, all singles.
Olivia Faggard drove the defense with 10 putouts at first base,
Morgan Brown claiming four assists.
Skylar Waggoner (5.1 IP) was credited with the loss, striking out three batters and allowing just one walk.
Dakota Lake (0.2 IP) entered in relief, allowing just one hit.
ULM now sits at 7-4 in conference play. The Warhawks will now play for the series in game three at 11 a.m. CT / Noon ET on Saturday (April 4).
