In a softball match-up between the Warhawks and the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks, ULM emerged victorious with a run-rule game. The final score of 10-0 reflected ULM’s dominance on the field, giving SFA not a single breath of air.
From the first pitch, the Warhawks asserted their dominance, shutting down SFA’s offense. With Maddie Nichols pitching strike after strike, the Ladyjacks’ batters faced difficulty scoring, let alone getting on base.
From an offensive standpoint, ULM’s score skyrocketed as players racked up runs every inning. Batting from Lourdes Bacon and purposeful movement from Megan Brown gave the Warhawks a 4-0 lead in the first inning. ULM’s base running played a key factor in its victory, with players stealing bases and taking advantage of every opportunity presented to advance.
“I wanted to be aggressive and hit the first pitch that was there for me. I was there early, adjusted my next at-bat; then, we were good,” batter Marissa Zenzen said.
By the fourth inning, the Warhawks had amassed a lead of 10, leaving the top of the fifth as the deciding factor for the rest of the game. The closest SFA came to scoring was a player on third base who failed at running home.
After the draining series against Texas State, the Warhawks needed a win.
“I think coming off a sweep from Texas State, we had a little bit of steam to let out,” coach Molly Fitchner said. “I think that helped us get after it tonight. It also helped that when they turned the scoreboard on, the score from the previous game was up.”
The Warhawks’ victory over the Ladyjacks restored some players’ confidence as they continue their season.
“That’s the beauty of softball—it’s anybody’s game. You have very few upsets like in football. For softball, size doesn’t matter. How hard you throw doesn’t matter,” Fitchner said. “If you show up to play, it could go either way. I think that’s what everybody loves about the sport.”