The ULM baseball team (9-10, 1-2 Sun Belt) faced a tough challenge in their three-game series against James Madison University, splitting a doubleheader on March 15 after dropping the first game on March 14.

The Warhawks struggled in the opening game, falling 4-10 to the Dukes. ULM started strong but could not overcome fielding errors, which led to several unearned runs for JMU. Despite their best efforts, JMU took over late in the game.

The next day, ULM quickly rebounded in the first game of the doubleheader with a dominant 9-3 victory. Freshman pitcher Ashton Bassett earned his first collegiate win, delivering five solid innings and striking out four. Offensively, redshirt junior Henry Garcia Jr. and redshirt senior Michelle Artzberger led the offense with key hits and runs-batted-in (RBIs), including Artzberger’s third home run of the season. The Warhawks took advantage of JMU’s pitching struggles, earning six walks and three hit-by-pitches while their defense made key stops to limit the Dukes’ scoring.

In the second game of the doubleheader, ULM started off with a 1-0 lead early thanks to senior Isaiah Walker’s leadoff home run. Garcia Jr. added two solo hits later in the game, but JMU’s offense was relentless. Despite a solid effort by the Warhawks, the Dukes fought back, taking a 5-4 lead in the seventh. ULM managed to tie the game in the eighth, sending the game into extra innings, but JMU clinched the win 6-5 in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly.

This series was the first time ULM faced off against JMU in baseball. The Warhawks showcased resilience, especially with impressive performances from Garcia Jr. and Bassett. ULM’s offense demonstrated potential for winning, but they will need to improve their consistency in closing games. As Sun Belt play continues, ULM has the opportunity to build on these performances and refine their game strategy for the games ahead.