ULM Keeps Troy Off Scoreboard in Game One

Friday, March 24

Monroe, La.

1 p.m.

Troy University

21-9-1, 0

ULM

19-12, 0

Troy

ULM

3/24/2023 4:13:00 PM | Softball

Box Score BOX SCORE (PDF)

By: Troy Athletics Communications

MONROE, La. – In a pitcher's duel, ULM held Troy to one hit on Friday afternoon to keep them off the scoreboard through seven innings, 2-0, at the ULM Softball Complex.

ULM (19-12, 3-1 SBC) was the first to put a hit on the scoreboard after a quiet 3.1 innings when Kennedy Page singled out to left center on her second pitch of the at-bat. Despite a steal to second, Leanna Johnson got out of the inning unscathed after getting Lourdes Bacon to strike out swinging to end a seven-pitch battle – finished with four strikeouts, eight away from 1,000 in her career.

The Warhawks finished what they started in the previous inning as the first run found its way to the board. With one out, the game would see its first extra-base hit via Ashlan Ard to left center for a double. Kassidy Giddens entered as a pinch runner for Ard before the second out came on a ground out to Audra Thompson. However, that didn't distract the Warhawks, as Campbell Selmon found herself in a 2-2 count before rattling out a single to center field to bring in Giddens for the eventual game-winning run.

Troy (21-9-1, 2-1-1 SBC) had its chance to respond after two walks put runners on first and second in the top of the fifth. Anslee Finch came up to bat with two outs and saw one ball come through before sending a line drive to the pitcher's circle. Victoria Abrams corralled it and made the quick turn to first base to keep Troy scoreless.

Libby Baker ended the no-hitter for Abrams in the top of the sixth. Down 0-2 in the count, the first baseman connected and found the hole on the right side for the single. Jade Sinness was next to bat and, on the first pitch, hit one to the shortstop, who aimed for the double play. Baker was out at second, but Sinness reached on a tie at the bag for a fielder's choice. The Warhawks accomplished their double-play on the next play as history repeated itself on a hit from Kelly Horne.

Kennedy Johnson found herself on first, knocking a single to left field on a full count. Ard entered as the designated hitter and, on a 2-2 count, tapped it over to Kennedi Gaton at third. The ball went close to the runner on the throw, causing the error to advance Ard to third. A throw from Finch to Katelynn de Leon barely beat out the runner for the second out at the plate. The very next pitch saw a blooper over Gaton on the left field line from Madison Blount to give ULM its second and final run, 2-0.

Senior Leanna Johnson (16-3) pitched well enough to win the game, but it wasn't enough, as she fell for the third time in 2023. Meanwhile, despite giving up six walks, Abrams came away with her fourth win to improve over .500 at 4-3.

The Trojans are back in action for game two against the Warhawks tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the ULM Softball Complex.