ULM Warhawks

MONROE, La. – Despite the two-hour weather delay, the ULM Warhawks (35-19, 17-5 Sun Belt) picked up a leading victory over Southern Miss (33-21, 14-8 Sun Belt). While the Golden Eagles scored first off runners pre-delay, the Warhawks took care of business offensively. ULM recorded 10 hits and scored seven runs in the error-less game. Southern Miss kept it close with six runs scored off nine hits and three errors.
 
In the opening frame, back-to-back walks and a wild pitch gave way to two runners in scoring position. It was then that the weather delay began, holding the game for over two hours. Picking up hours later, Ashanti McDade struck out a batter to begin, as a single then loaded the bases with one out. Jolie Hays hit the RBI single to drive in the first run and put the Golden Eagles ahead early. Two more outs brought up the ULM bats, the Warhawks held without a score in the first.
 
Another strikeout from McDade had the Golden Eagles going 1-2-3 in the second, to allow for a new offensive chance for the home team. Carson Jansky singled, followed by Elle Carter, whose hit sent Jansky to third. Carys Platt then drove in two runs off a single to find the lead, 2-1. Another inning going three-up, three-down for Southern Miss brought the ULM bats back to the plate. A lead-off walk gave way to a Morgan Brown double, scoring a third run. Olivia Faggard followed with an RBI single, settling the 4-1 score through three innings.
 
While a double landed a runner in scoring position, the Golden Eagles were left without plating anyone in the fourth. Another walk led off ULM, setting up a single and another walk to load the bases. Back-to-back walks for Meagan Brown and Morgan Brown drove in two more runs to give the Warhawks a five-run advantage. An almost-identical scenario in the top of the fifth occurred in favor of Southern Miss, as a walk and two singles loaded the bases and back-to-back walks drove in runs. With the lead cut to three, ULM recorded two more hits in the bottom frame but the team was unable to convert.
 
In the top of the sixth, two more runners landed on base for the Golden Eagles, but the Warhawk defense stranded both. Back-to-back doubles in the sixth from Morgan Brown and Faggard drove in a seventh run, stretching the edge to four. The final frame allowed two runners on base as pinch hitter Paris Ferguson hit a home run to close the gap to one. On the verge of a comeback, the final out was captured as ULM escaped the jam and claimed the first win of the weekend, 7-6.
 
Four Warhawks recorded multi-hit games, led by Carys Platt, who went 3-for-3. Elle Carter, Morgan Brown and Olivia Faggard each recorded two hits as well. Platt, Brown and Faggard each also drove in two RBIs apiece, Brown also claiming two doubles. Faggard led the defense with seven putouts at first base. Ashanti McDade was credited with the win, pitching 4.2 innings and striking out two batters in her outing. Skylar Waggoner earned her third save of the season with 2.1 innings of work, also striking out two.
 
The Warhawks lead the series 1-0, now improving to 17-5 in conference play. This is also the 35^th win of the season for ULM, tying the record-breaking number from the 2025 season. ULM claims a win over Southern Miss in Monroe for the first time since 2007, the first home win against the Golden Eagles as conference opponents.
 
The next game in the series is currently scheduled for Friday (May 1) at 6 p.m. Any schedule updates will be communicated at ULMWarhawks.com and on social media.