Grambling falls to ULM in midweek softball battle

The Grambling State softball team fought valiantly on Wednesday, but couldn’t overcome University of Louisiana-Monroe, falling 5-1 at the ULM Softball Complex.

Tavia Leadon and Lexi Hope led GSU (1325) at the plate, registering two hits each. Erin Gibbs (3-7) got the start in the pitcher’s circle. She worked 6 innings, allowing 5 runs on 9 hits. She struck out a pair of batters along with a pair of walks.

ULM (27-17) opened a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI double by Meagan Brown and an RBI single from Layla Thomson. The Warhawks extended their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth.

Grambling State had a golden opportunity to seize momentum of the game in the fifth inning, putting pressure on the ULM pitching staff. Back-to-back singles started the frame to put a runner in scoring position. With one out, the Warhawks replaced starting pitcher Kassidy Giddens (7-1).

Reliever Maddie Nichols issued back-to-back walks to put GSU’s lone run across the plate. Nichols retired the next two batters.

ULM added two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. In the seventh inning, GSU got two runners on base, but couldn’t convert them into runs.

Grambling State scored one run on 8 hits. The Lady Tigers left seven runners on base and committed one error. Louisiana-Monroe scored 5 runs on 9 hits. The Warhawks stranded five runners.

Christalyn Higgins notched an extra base hit for GSU, a double in the top of the third inning.

Katelynn Walls registered her fifth RBI of the year. Grambling State travels to Baton Rouge to take on Southern University. The three-game series is scheduled to begin on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Lady Jaguar Field.