HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana's late-inning rally fell just short, as SLU dropped a 4-3 decision to in-state foe ULM in non-conference softball action Tuesday evening at North Oak Park.
 
SLU's fourth consecutive loss dropped the Lady Lions to 19-15 overall. The visiting Warhawks moved to 6-29 overall with Tuesday's victory.
 
Rebecca Skains led Southeastern with two hits, while Madison Watson drove in a pair of runs with her first triple of the season. Madisen Blackford also drove in a run for the Lady Lions.
 
Sophie Hannabas (3-4) allowed three runs in 1.2 innings to take the loss for SLU. Alley McDonald allowed SLU to keep within striking distance, fanning four and scattering three hits in four innings of relief.
 
ULM took the lead in the top of the second inning with a two-out rally. Jaclyn Kresta walked, Brie Wrobel singled and Korie Kreps followed with a single of her own to load the bases. Hannabas then hit Victoria Pederson to force in a run and was replaced by Karlee Kraft. Sydney McKay greeted Kraft with a two-run double, staking the Warhawks to a 3-0 advantage.
 
ULM's success with two outs came in to play again in its half of the fourth. McKay singled and stole second, then scored on a single by Jayden Mount. SLU centerfielder Amberlyn Alfano threw a dart to home plate, but McKay was able to slide under the tag of Lady Lion catcher Ella Manzer to put the Warhawks ahead, 4-0.
 
McKay's slide would prove vital, as Southeastern finally got to ULM starter Adrianna Chavarria (4-8) in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs and a runner on first, Ali McCoy beat out an infield single. Watson then came off the bench and launched a triple off the right centerfield fence to clear the bases and cut the Warhawk advantage to 4-2. Blackford followed with a RBI single to center to chase Chavarria from the game and pull Southeastern within, 4-3.
 
That would be as close as Southeastern would get. Reliever Jessie Watts retired Bobbi Smith to get out of the sixth, then threw a perfect seventh to secure the victory with her first save of 2019.
 
Southeastern will return to action later this week, heading to Incarnate Word for a three-game series in San Antonio, Texas. The series opens with a 5 p.m. doubleheader on Friday and concludes with a noon game on Saturday. Live video and stats, provided by UIW, will be accessible on the softball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events (softball, baseball, football and basketball), effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.
 
HOME RUN CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the softball program are encouraged to join the Home Run Club. Lady Lion softball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Home Run Club and S Club (softball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern softball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Softball, follow @SLUlionsoftball on Twitter and Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.