MONROE, La. – Southeastern Louisiana University outlasted ULM for a 3-2 victory in nonconference action Wednesday night at the ULM Softball Complex.
Southeastern (22-6) won its fourth straight game in a tightly-contested pitcher's duel.
Ellie DuBois (7-2),
Allison Brunson and
Cera Blanchard combined to hold ULM (19-11) to four hits.
Reigning Southland Conference Hitter of the Week
Lexi Johnson continued her hot streak at the plate, hitting her team-high fifth home run of the season.
Ka'Lyn Watson and
Cam Goodman also each drove in runs for SLU, which touched up ULM pitcher Victoria Abrams (7-5) and Maddie Nichols for six hits.
ULM took the lead against DuBois in the bottom of the first inning. Lourdes Bacon beat out a leadoff bunt single and scored later in the frame on a sacrifice fly by Andie Edwards to give the Warhawks a 1-0 lead.
Southeastern answered in the top of the third inning.
Cam Goodman drew a one-out walk, then scored on the next pitch, as
Ka'Lyn Watson lined a double into the left centerfield gap to tie the score at 1-1.
The Lady Lions took their first lead in the top of the fourth inning.
Bailey Krolczyk singled,
Audrey Greely walked and Nichols hit
Addison Contorno to load the bases with two outs. Goodman then drew a bases loaded walk to force in pinch runner
Brilee Broussard for the go-ahead run and put SLU up, 2-1.
SLU padded its lead in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, Johnson powered an 0-1 pitch over the centerfield fence to increase the Lady Lion advantage to 3-1.
Johnson's insurance run proved crucial, as ULM pulled closer in the bottom of the sixth. Meagan Brown led off the frame with a double off Brunson and scored later in the frame on a groundout by Maryssa Zenzen to pull the Warhawks within one at 3-2. Later in the frame, Goodman made a diving catch on a liner by Elle Carter to end the Warhawks' threat.
Southeastern left the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, but could not increase its advantage. In the bottom of the seventh, Jacelyn Buck led off the inning and flared a single just out of the reach of a diving Contorno. Blanchard recovered, retiring the next three Warhawks, to secure her team-high third save of the season and stranded the potential tying run at second.
Southeastern next returns home to host HCU for a three-game Southland Conference series at North Oak Park. The series opens with a 4 p.m. doubleheader Friday and continues Saturday at noon. All three games of the HCU series will be televised on ESPN+.
This weekend is Military Appreciation Weekend, as all military personnel with a valid ID will receive free admission. Fans will have a chance to win prizes Saturday by playing Bingo at the Ballpark.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Softball, follow @LionUpSoftball on X and Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook.
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.
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit
www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern offers mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit
www.LionSports.net/clear.
