UL Softball Sweeps Doubleheader From ULM

The 9th-ranked Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun softball team picked up two more victories on Saturday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader from the ULM Warhawks in the first two games of a three-game, weekend, Sun Belt Conference series at Lamson Park.

Louisiana won the first game, 6-1, before taking the second game, 5-0, in the first two games of the final regular season series for both teams.

The wins increased the Cajuns’ current home win streak to 19 games, while the setback moved the Warhawks' current losing streak to 4 games.

The two wins improved Louisiana to 39-7, overall, and 20-2 in Sun Belt Conference play, while ULM fell to 23-31, and 7-16, respectively.

In the opener, Louisiana got on the scoreboard first, scoring four runs in the bottom half of the third inning, on a two-out single off the bat of senior outfielder Shellie Landry, followed by a two-run home run by senior first baseman Kelsey Vincent, her 11th of the season, to grab a 4-0 lead.

The Cajuns added to their lead, plating two more runs in the bottom half of the fourth inning, on an RBI single off the bat of junior second baseman Hayley Hayden, and a bases loaded walk by Landry, to increase their lead to 6-0.

Faith Bohack homered in the top half of the 7th inning, to account for the lone Warhawk run, but it wasn't enough, as the Cajuns went on to the 6-run win, holding ULM to only two hits.

Louisiana, who outhit ULM, 9-2, was led at the plate by Landry, who drove in three runs, while Vincent homered, and Hayden, Vincent, and freshman third baseman Kara Gremillion each collected two hits apiece.

Junior right-hander Alex Stewart (23-4) recorded the win in the circle for the Cajuns, tossing four innings of no-hit softball, while striking out 3 batters.

Macie Smith recorded her first save of the season, pitching the final three innings, allowing one run on two hits.

Paige Porter (3-7) suffered the loss for the Warhawks, allowing on two runs on 6 hits, in 4 innings of work.

View the first game box score.

As they did in the first game, Louisiana got on the scoreboard first in the second game, scoring three runs in the bottom half of the second inning, the first two coming on a two-run double off the bat of Gremillion, and a third coming on a double by freshman catcher Brittany Nollkamper, to take a 3-0 lead.

The Cajuns added to their lead in the bottom half of the third inning, courtesy of a solo homer by sophomore outfielder Aleah Craighton, her 16th of the season, to widen their advantage to 4-0.

Louisiana added an insurance run in the bottom half of the 6th inning, when senior designated player Sara Corbello delivered a run-scoring double, to make it 5-0.

That was all the Cajuns would need, as they went on  to the 5-run shutout win, completing the twinbill sweep, outscoring ULM, 11-1, on the day.

Louisiana, who outhit ULM, 7-3, was led at the plate by Gremillion, who went 2-for-3, to go along with a double, a run scored, and 2 runs batted in, while Craighton went 2-for-2, to go along with a homer, three runs scored, and a run batted in.

Stewart (24-4) recorded the win in the circle for the Cajuns, tossing a 3-hit shutout, while waking two and striking out eight.

Melanie Coyne (17-20) suffered the loss for the Warhawks, allowing 5 runs, on 7 hits, in 5.2 innings of work.

View the second game box score.

The two teams conclude the series, and their respective seasons, with a single game on Sunday at 1 pm.

You can hear all the play-by-play action on Sports Radio ESPN 1420, and espn1420.com, beginning with the pregame show at 12:45 pm.