LAFAYETTE, La. – The ULM Warhawks (38-20, 19-5 Sun Belt) fell to five seed South Alabama (31-25, 13-11 Sun Belt) in the semifinals of the Sun Belt Tournament. The Jaguars recorded six hits while driving in three runs, as the Warhawks recorded two hits and scored a run.
After a four-and-a-half-hour weather delay, the Jaguars got started with a single to lead off. As another runner landed on, ULM fought to keep it scoreless as a strikeout from
Ashanti McDade kept the score even. A single from
Meagan Brown was followed by a
Morgan Brown single in the bottom frame,
Morgan Brown crossing home from an error to get on the board first.
But the Jaguars worked to tie things up in the second, a walk leading off to keep momentum in their favor. A single then brought up Brooklyn Bockhaus, who struck out as Edy Gavin stole home for the tying run. Three strikeouts in the bottom of the second brought the South Alabama offense back to the plate. Another walk led off the third, a double from Olivia Branstetter scoring the leading run. Three outs were captured before the lead was extended, as the Warhawks went 1-2-3 in the third.
South Alabama led off with another walk, a single advancing both runners into scoring position. A sacrifice fly scored the third run of the game as the Jaguars created a two-run advantage in the fourth. Another three-up, three-down inning had the 3-1 settled through four innings.
Skylar Waggoner struck out two batters to go 1-2-3 in the fifth, ULM then going a quick three in the fifth.
The Warhawk defense held South Alabama without a score for another inning as Waggoner struck out another. Back-to-back walks got runners on for ULM in the bottom of the sixth, but two outs closed out the scoring opportunity as the game headed to the seventh. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for the opponent in the top frame, as three outs got the Warhawks out of the jam. With three outs left in the contest, ULM went 1-2-3 as the game came to a close.
Meagan Brown and
Morgan Brown were the lone Warhawks to log hits in the game, Morgan also recording the lone run scored. Seven putouts at first base from
Olivia Faggard led the team,
Carson Jansky registering five assists.
Ashanti McDade was credited with the loss, pitching two innings, walking two and striking out two.
Skylar Waggoner saw five innings of work, allowing a run and striking out five.
The Warhawks conclude the conference tournament 38-20 on the season, reaching a record 38 wins for the first time since 1997. ULM also finished the regular season as the Sun Belt regular season champions, a first since joining the Sun Belt and the second regular season title in program history. The team holds the single-season record with 83 doubles on the year, sitting at second in the Sun Belt.
ULM will await its fate at the NCAA selection show at 6 p.m. on Sunday (May 10).
