ULM's Causey pitches no-hitter; first ever in Sun Belt Conference Tournament play

If there was any doubt that the ULM softball team belonged in the conference tournament it was quickly silenced by sophomore Kandace Causey. The Warhawks downed tournament-host Troy, 5-0, behind Causey's no-hitter at the Troy Softball Complex.

"Kandace was absolutely in the zone today," ULM softball head coach Rosemary Holloway-Hill said. "I'm proud of the way we fought out there and against one of the better hitting teams in the conference we got the pitches that we needed. That was just an amazing performance in the circle from one of the conference's top pitchers."

With battery-mate Megan Miller providing the power with a pair of two-run bombs, Causey silenced the partisan Trojan crowd and fired the first no-hitter in the nine-year history of the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

Causey (W, 12-12) faced one batter over the minimum, fanning seven Trojans on an unbelievable 73 pitches. In a game that lasted only 1:16, Rocky Paige became the only Trojan to reach base after being sent to first on an inside pitch that clipped her jersey.



ULM's Holloway-Hill wraps up exceptional year in softball play

The difference a year makes. Last year, while eight Sun Belt schools were battling it out in Murfreesboro, Tenn. trying to win a conference championship, ULM head coach Rosemary Holloway-Hill got an early jump on the recruiting circuit with every intention to not be in the same position in 2008.

Nobody would envision where her Warhawks would be one year later.

The seventh-seeded Warhawks continued their strong team play in the conference tournament, downing No. 6 North Texas, 5-1, to advance to its first championship game since the 1997 Southland Conference season. ULM sits poised to claim its first Sun Belt Tournament Championship in any sport since joining the league as full members with one more win.

"It was our goal coming into the season and this tournament to be playing for the championship," ULM head coach Rosemary Holloway-Hill said. "Our team is one game away of realizing our dream of playing in the NCAA Tournament and we want to make it a reality. This tournament has been a great team effort all around for an outstanding group of young women."

The dream run for the ULM softball team finally came to a close in the championship game against heavily favored Louisiana-Lafayette. The top-seeded Ragin' Cajuns used three big innings, including a trio of home runs, to power past the seventh-seeded Warhawks, 13-0. Playing in its first conference tournament since the 2002 season, ULM (22-37) advanced to the tournament's final game but couldn't overcome the high-powered ULL (46-12) offense.

After sophomore Kandace Causey (L, 13-13) retired the side in order in the top of the first, freshman Jessica Olguin reached first on a bunt single with one out in the bottom of the frame. Ashley Brignac (W, 27-6) fanned the next two and retired the next 12 to allow ULL to build the big lead.

Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Holly Tankersley led off the second with a towering home run to centerfield. Two batters later, Lana Bowers lined a homer to left center to make it a 3-0 lead and chase Causey. The Ragin' Cajuns would add an unearned run in the inning before senior Lindsay Rittenhouse (ND) could notch the third out.

Three Warhawks were named to the Sun Belt Conference All-Tournament Team in junior catcher Megan Miller, sophomore pitcher Kandace Causey and freshman first baseman Molly McNeill.

ULM ends the year one win shy of reaching its first regional tournament since the 1997 season.

Congrats to our Warhawks softball team and to Coach Holloway-Hill!



Softball Re-cap . . .

Warhawk basketball adds Hill and Forbes for 2008-09 season

Junior college wings Dynile Forbes and Jarvis Hill made it official by signing their national letters of intent to play for head coach Orlando Early and the ULM men's basketball team. The pair will join the Warhawks for the 2008-09 season.

The duo, along with returning transfer Lawrence Gilbert, are expected to step in and immediately fill the offensive void left by the graduation of seniors Lance Brasher, Jonas Brown and Jordan Payne.

Forbes joins the Warhawks after an All-American sophomore season for Cochise College in Arizona that saw him averaged better than 20 points and four rebounds per game. He was named Player of the Year in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference after connecting on 47 percent of his shots from the floor - including 41 percent from beyond the arc.

A native of Freeport, Bahamas, Forbes averaged better than 19 points per game as a freshman.

"We are very excited about adding Dynile to the program," Early said. "He is a guy who can really score the ball. He was a Second Team Junior College All-American and comes in here as the type of guy who can score from all areas on the court."

Hill, a 6-2 wing from Starkville, Miss., joins the Warhawks after playing the last season at East Mississippi Community College. While at EMCC he averaged 15.1 points, five rebounds and just under two assists per game.

Prior to his season at EMCC, Hill played one year at Southern Miss where he averaged 7.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. In 31 games with USM, Hill averaged better than 24 minutes per game, the fourth-most on the team, and made nine starts.

A Starkville, Miss.-native, he was recruited by Tennessee and Auburn after playing one season at Bridgton (Maine) Academy. Multiple other SEC schools showed recruiting interest in him after his stay at the prep school and as a senior at Starkville HS.

"Jarvis has already shown that he can compete and is good at scoring around the basket," Early said. "He is a good rebounder and a glue guy - he is going to guard the other teams best offensive player night in and night out and do a good job."

Hill and Forbes join a 2008 class that includes early signee Brandon Williams of Aldine High School in Houston, Texas, and sophomore Lawrence Gilbert who will become eligible to compete with the Warhawks after transferring from Miami (Fla.) prior to the 2007-08 season.

"I like to talk about Lawrence with this class because he sat out last year," Early said. "He kind of replaces Lance Brasher, but gives us five or six more inches at that position. He is a guy who can post up, score of the dribble and give us good offense. His best asset is that he is a good teammate."

ULM is looking to rebound from a season in which they finished 10-21 overall and 4-14 in the Sun Belt Conference.



Warhawk basketball adds Malcolm Thomas to 2008-09 class

The ULM men's basketball team added to an already strong class when they added the versatile Malcolm Thomas to the squad, head coach Orlando Early announced.

"Malcolm Thomas is a big time, Sun Belt Conference caliber athlete," Early said. "He is a talented player who was on one of the best junior college teams in Texas. He can play inside and out and brings the same kind of toughness that Lance Brasher brought to us, only with a little more athleticism."

Thomas joins junior college transfers Dynile Forbes and Jarvis Hill as the Warhawks signings during the spring signing period.

Standing at 6-6 and capable of playing either the guard or forward position, Thomas was one of four players on his Tyler Junior College squad to score in double-digits after pouring in 14.1 per game as a sophomore.

"He is long and a big time athlete," Early said. "He is going to make a difference in the Sun Belt Conference immediately as an athlete. He has the quickness and physical strength that will allow him to be an impact player at this level."

As a senior at Karmack HS (Texas) Thomas averaged 24 points and nine rebounds per game to go along with five assists and four steals. He was named 19-1A Most Valuable Player before starting his career at TJC.

Thomas also received recruiting interest from Iowa State before casting his lot with the Warhawks.






Back to Top

Baseball Re-cap . . .

vs Centenary - Kyle Smith threw seven strong innings and ULM posted double-digit runs for the fourth consecutive game defeating Centenary 11-2 at Warhawk Field in non-conference action.

Smith (1-1) allowed just two runs and struck out five in his second straight quality start. The senior right-hander allowed two unearned runs last week in 7.2 innings against Dallas Baptist.

The Warhawks (23-12, 14-4 Sun Belt) continued to pound the ball out of the park with home runs from Casey Auttonberry, Ben Soignier and Louie Lancaster. ULM has hit 52 home runs on the season and is on pace to break last year's record of 70 with 86 based on a 56 game regular season and at least two games in the Sun Belt Tournament. The Warhawks finished the game with 14 hits and are averaging 12.5 runs and 14.8 hits over the past four games.



vs McNeese State - Five players recorded three or more hits as ULM exploded for a 21-9 victory over McNeese State at Warhawk Field in non-conference action.

Matt Collins and Dexter Fontenot both went 4-for-4 with four RBIs and a home run to lead the Warhawks (24-12, 14-4 Sun Belt) who have now scored 10 or more runs in five straight games averaging 14.2 runs during that stretch.

Nick Maragas (4-for-5), Jon Prevost (3-for-3), Kyle Suire (3-for-5), A.J. Siggers (2-for-4), Matt Laird (2-for-6) and Nick Wade (2-for-4) all recorded multiple hits for ULM who scored in 6-of-8 innings. In two games against the Cowboys this season, ULM has combined for 30 runs, 36 hits and 19 extra-base hits.



ULM closer Derek Ward named to NCWA Stopper of the Year Watch List

ULM junior closer Derek Ward has been named to the 2008 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Watch List. The award is given to the top relief pitcher in Division I college baseball.

The Lewisville, Ark., native is one of just 45 players named to the midseason watch list after recording six saves and four wins in 15 appearances this season for the Warhawks (24-12, 14-4 Sun Belt).

Ward leads ULM with a 2.18 ERA on the season and has struck out 32 batters while walking just 12 in 33.0 innings of work.

The list features teams representing 19 athletic conferences as well as one independent team. The Atlantic Coast Conference leads the way with six pitchers on the honor squad.

The watch list was compiled from nominations submitted by sports information contacts and conference media relations offices nationwide. At the conclusion of regular season competition, the NCAA Division I saves leader and four other relief pitching standouts will be selected as the finalists for the award and announced May 28 prior to the start of NCAA regional competition. The winner of the 2008 Stopper of the Year Award will be selected by the NCBWA's All-America Committee and announced Wednesday, June 4, two days before NCAA Super Regional play begins.



vs Middle Tennessee State - 3 Game Sun Belt Series during Super Warhawk Weekend

Game 1 - A.J. Siggers drove home the winning run capping a two-run seventh inning leading ULM to a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Middle Tennessee in the Sun Belt Conference series opener at Warhawk Field.

The Warhawks (25-12, 15-4 Sun Belt) maintain their 2.5 game lead over Troy atop the Sun Belt standings and are a win away from their seventh conference series victory in as many tries this season.

ULM starter Jared Jennings shutdown the high-powered Middle Tennessee (20-15-1, 9-9) offense over the first six innings of the game and finished the game allowing a pair of runs in 6.1 innings scattering four hits and striking out five.

Closer Derek Ward (5-1) picked up the win tossing the final 2.2 innings allowing a pair of runs while striking out five.

Game 2 - No ball was safe Saturday afternoon at Warhawk Field as ULM tied a school record with seven home runs in a 25-10 victory over Middle Tennessee securing its seventh Sun Belt Conference series victory in as many tries on the season.

The first inning set the tone for the game with ULM (26-12, 16-4 Sun Belt) taking a 6-0 lead on the strength of four home runs. Ben Soignier, Dexter Fontenot, Ryan McMillian and Nick Maragas all took a ball out of the park in the opening frame.

Fontenot finished the game 5-for-5 with two home runs and seven RBIs and is 18-for-30 (.600) with six home runs, 21 RBIs and a 1.300 slugging percentage over the past seven games.

McMillan was 4-for-4 with four RBIs, A.J. Siggers was 3-for-5 scoring four times, Josh Chappell went 3-for-4 with three RBIs while Jon Prevost, Soignier and Maragas all recorded two hits. Prevost and Kyle Suire also homered on the game for the Warhawks.

Game 3 - ULM capped off an incredible week with an exclamation point Sunday afternoon completing a three-game Sun Belt Conference sweep of Middle Tennessee 16-8 at Warhawk Field. The Warhawks hit four home runs in the series finale and finished the weekend with 12 long balls.

It is the third sweep in seven Sun Belt series this season for the Warhawks (27-12, 17-4 Sun Belt) and comes against a Middle Tennessee squad that entered the weekend on a seven-game win streak.

Kyle Suire moved into a tie for ninth place on the ULM single-season home run list and eighth on the career list with his 11th and 12th home runs of the season. He now has 22 in his brief two-year career with the Warhawks after transferring from LSU-Eunice. The senior second baseman finished the game 2-for-5 with five RBIs.

The Warhawks went 5-0 for the week averaging 15.6 runs and 17.6 hits per game with 18 home runs and a .442 team batting average. Since the beginning of the Louisiana-Lafayette series last weekend (eight games) the Warhawks have hit 24 home runs and are averaging 14.6 runs and 16.6 hits per game.



ULM outfielder Dexter Fontenot named Sun Belt Conference Hitter of the Week

ULM senior outfielder Dexter Fontenot was named Sun Belt Conference Hitter of the Week the league office announced. Fontenot hit .650 (13-for-20) with four home runs, two doubles, 15 RBIs, nine runs scored, a 1.350 slugging percentage and a .667 on-base percentage - 2.017 OPS -- leading the Warhawks to a perfect 5-0 record last week.

Fontenot went 8-for-12 with three of his home runs and 11 of his RBIs in ULM's (27-12, 17-4 Sun Belt) three-game conference sweep of Middle Tennessee. He hit two home runs in a game for the second Saturday in a row in ULM's 25-10 blowout of MTSU after doing the same at Louisiana-Lafayette in the previous weekend.

He opened the week going 5-for-8 with four RBIs and a homer in a pair of midweek games against Centenary and McNeese State. Fontenot's distinction is ULM's fifth Sun Belt Player of the Week honor of the season.

The Gonzales, La., native leads the Warhawks hitting .402 on the season and .432 during Sun Belt play. He has already reached career highs in home runs (10), RBIs (48) and doubles (13). Fontenot is slugging .727 on the season and has an on-base percentage of .469.



ULM baseball climbing NCAA National Stat Rankings

After posting lofty offensive numbers over the past eight games, the ULM baseball team is ranked near the top of the national statistical rankings in several categories.

The Warhawks (27-12, 17-4 Sun Belt), who are averaging 14.6 runs and 16.6 hits over the past eight games, are ranked in the top 20 nationally in 10 offensive categories and in the top 10 in six offensive categories.

ULM is fifth in the NCAA in home runs (67) and home runs per game (1.72), eighth in runs (35) and slugging percentage (.548), ninth in hits (479) and 10th in runs per game (9.2). The Warhawks are 11th in batting average (.335), 13th in doubles (94), 14th in sacrifice flies (24) and 19th in doubles per game (2.41).

Defensively the Warhawks rank fifth in double plays (46) and seventh in double plays per game (1.2).

Outfielder Dexter Fontenot is tied for the NCAA lead with seven sacrifice flies while shortstop Ben Soignier is second in runs per game averaging 1.5 per contest and is third in total runs with 57.



Clean Sweep: ULM's Dexter Fontenot named National and Louisiana Hitter of the Week

ULM senior outfielder Dexter Fontenot was named Pro-Line Athletic National Player of the Week the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) announced. The NCBWA board reviews candidates from each Division I conference each week and names winners each Tuesday throughout the season.

Fontenot was also named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Baseball Hitter of the Week today to go along with Sun Belt Hitter of the Week honors he received.

The Gonzales, La., native hit .650 (13-for-20) with four home runs, two doubles, 15 RBIs, nine runs scored, a 1.350 slugging percentage and a .667 on-base percentage - 2.017 OPS -- leading the Warhawks to a perfect 5-0 record last week.

Fontenot went 8-for-12 with three of his home runs and 11 of his RBIs in ULM's (27-12, 17-4 Sun Belt) three-game conference sweep of Middle Tennessee. He hit two home runs in a game for the second Saturday in a row in ULM's 25-10 blowout of MTSU after doing the same at Louisiana-Lafayette in the previous weekend.

He opened the week going 5-for-8 with four RBIs and a homer in a pair of midweek games against Centenary and McNeese State.

Fontenot leads the Warhawks hitting .402 on the season and .432 during Sun Belt play. He has already reached career highs in home runs (10), RBIs (48) and doubles (13). Fontenot is slugging .727 on the season and has an on-base percentage of .469.



vs Grambling State - ULM used a pair of big innings to cruise past Grambling State 17-5 at Warhawk Field extending its win streak out to a season-high eight games.

Reigning National Hitter of the Week Dexter Fontenot continued his torrid pace going 2-for-6 with three RBIs. The senior outfielder extended his hit streak out to nine games and has taken over the team lead with 51 RBIs on the season. A.J. Siggers belted out three hits and recorded a pair of RBIs while Ben Soignier and Kyle Suire both recorded multiple hits and two RBIs. Josh Chappell went 3-for-5 and Jon Prevost was 2-for-3 as the Warhawks improved to 28-12 on the season.

The Warhawks have now won 23 of the last 24 meetings between the two schools and have scored 10 or more runs in 21 of the 24 outings.



at Florida International - 3 game Sun Belt Series

Game 1 - Riding a wave of emotion following an upset of No. 1 Miami, Florida International defeated ULM 9-6 at University Park ending the Warhawks eight-game win streak.

Ryan Mollica turned the game in the bottom of fifth inning with an inside-the-park home run off the wall in left field giving the Golden Panthers (15-29, 7-12 Sun Belt) a 6-3 lead after the Warhawks (28-13, 17-5) had pulled within one in the top half of the frame.

After the Warhawks had stranded six runners through the first four innings, Ryan McMillan broke the drought with a bases-loaded double to the gap in right-center field scoring A.J. Siggers, Jon Prevost and Ben Soignier.

Soignier and Suire led the Warhawks going 3-for-5 from the dish. ULM belted out 12 base hits on the night but failed to score 10 runs for just the second time in the past 10 games.



Game 2 - Making his first Sun Belt Conference start of the season, Kyle Smith turned in a three-hit masterpiece shutting down Florida International over 7-1/3 innings leading ULM its ninth win in the past 10 games with a 10-0 victory at University Park. Smith improves to 3-1 on the season and has allowed just four earned runs and struck out 15 batters in his last three starts over 22 innings.

Smith and Derek Ward combined for ULM's (29-13, 18-5 Sun Belt) second shutout of the season and ended Ryan Mollica's 27-game hit streak which was the fifth longest in Florida International (15-30, 7-13) history.

ULM has now equaled its win total from last season and the victory assures the first-place Warhawks a bid in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in Lafayette, La., May 21-24.

Playing for the first time since being injured in a collision at first base last Saturday, Matt Collins went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer -- his sixth of the season -- in the fourth inning after Ryan McMillan led off the inning with a double; McMillan finished the game 3-for-5.

The homer by Collins gave the Warhawks 70 on the season tying the school record set by last year's squad.

Game 3 - Florida International used an eight-run fifth inning to push past the Sun Belt leading ULM Warhawks 17-10 at University Park in the rubber game of the three-game series. The Golden Panthers (16-30, 8-13 Sun Belt) become the first Sun Belt school to take a series from ULM (29-14, 18-6) through the first eight weeks of the conference schedule.

The Warhawks took a 7-6 lead in the top half of the fifth inning on the strength of three solo home runs by Kyle Suire, A.J. Siggers and Matt Collins.

Florida International sent 11 batters to the plate in their half of the fifth inning and Ryan Mollica provided the knockout blow with a grand slam over the wall in right field. The FIU second baseman finished the game 5-for-6 with five RBIs after seeing his 27-game hit streak come to an end yesterday.

Collins finished the game 4-for-5 with three RBIs to lead the Warhawks from the plate while Suire, Siggers and Ryan McMillan all added a pair of hits.



vs Northwestern State - Northwestern State used a pair of big innings to slug past ULM 13-4 in non-conference action at Warhawk Field. The Demons (24-19) scored four runs in both the third and seventh innings and hit three home runs while the Warhawks (29-15) struggled to get runners home stranding 13 on base over the course of the game.

Justin O'Neal put Northwestern State up 5-0 in the third inning with a three-run home run over the wall in left field. ULM pulled within 5-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ryan McMillan drew a bases loaded walk and Matt Collins recorded an infield single, but the Warhawks were unable to push any more runs across leaving the bases full.



at Northwestern State - Freshman Jordy Poche was magnificent on the mound tossing eight innings allowing just one run as ULM cruised past Northwestern State 8-1 at Brown-Stroud Field.

Kyle Suire moved into a tie for second place on the ULM (30-15) single-season home run list with his 15th of the season - a solo blast to lead off the third inning. Ryan McMillan hit a three-run homer, his sixth of the year in the fifth stretching the lead out to 7-0.

Poche improved to 2-0 on the season striking out six and yielding just five hits. Making just his fourth start of the season, Poche came within three outs of becoming the first ULM freshman to toss a complete game since Kyle Smith in 2005.

Fontenot pushed the final run across in the top of the ninth for the Warhawks reaching on another Northwestern State (24-20) error.


at South Alabama - 3 Game Sun Belt Series

Game 1 - ULM scored nine runs in the seventh and eight innings to blow past South Alabama 10-4 in the Sun Belt series opener at Stanky Field. The Warhawks, who entered the week sixth in the nation in hits, were held without a base runner over the first 5 1/3 innings of the game, but Nick Wade opened the flood gates with a solo home run to left field in the top of the sixth inning.

ULM improves to 31-15 on the season and runs its conference leading record out to 19-6. The overall win total is the most since 2001 when the Warhawks won 36 games. South Alabama falls to 26-20 overall and 11-11 in the Sun Belt.

The Warhawks have now scored 10 or more runs in 11 of their past 15 games dating back to the series opener at Louisiana-Lafayette on April 11. ULM starter Drew Graham (2-2) shut down the Jaguars over 7 1/3 innings allowing just a pair of solo home runs back-to-back in the third inning. He struck out eight batters on the game picking up his first win since a 3-2 decision over Florida Atlantic on March 29.

Game 2 - South Alabama rallied from a seven run deficit to win a wild game 16-13 over ULM at Stanky Field to even up the Sun Belt Conference series at a game apiece. The Warhawks (31-16, 19-7 Sun Belt) jumped out to a 7-0 lead after the first two innings and led 11-6 after the top of the fifth, but South Alabama (27-20, 12-11) scored 10 runs in their final three at-bats of the game.

After ULM scored a pair of runs in the top of the eighth inning tying the game at 13-13, the Jaguars scored three in the bottom half, all unearned, to secure the victory.

Game 3 - Bunky Kateon hit a game-winning sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning spoiling a dramatic ULM comeback as South Alabama defeated the visiting Warhawks 12-11 at Stanky Field to clinch the Sun Belt Conference weekend series.

The Warhawks (31-17, 19-8 Sun Belt) tied the game at 11-11 in the top of the ninth inning with a pair of two-out runs and thought they had scored the go-ahead run on an infield single by Kelvin York, but the freshman pinch hitter was called out at first on a close play to end the inning.



ULM's Nick Maragas named Louisiana Hitter of the Week

ULM senior Nick Maragas was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Baseball Hitter of the Week the organization announced. Maragas, a senior from Canton, Ohio, hit .636 (7-for-11) with six RBIs. He finished the week with a 1.182 slugging percentage and .667 on-base percentage recording a double, a triple and a home run.

He played catcher and designated hitter for the Warhawks and came within a home run of the cycle in the second game at South Alabama; he hit a homer in his first at-bat of the following game.

Maragas was 4-for-4 with 4-RBIs in game two against the Jaguars and went 1-for-3 with two RBIs in the series finale. He opened up the week with a 2-for-4 performance against Northwestern State.

Maragas is the third Warhawk to earn Louisiana Hitter of Week honors this season. Jon Prevost received the award on April 8 and Dexter Fontenot was honored on April 22.



vs Troy - 3 game Sun Belt Series

Game 1 - Troy jumped out to an early five run lead and held off a furious ULM rally to defeat the Warhawks 11-7 in the Sun Belt Conference series opener at Warhawk Field.

Bryan Miller hit the first of his two home runs, a grand slam, in the top of the third giving the Trojans (29-21, 15-10 Sun Belt) a 5-0 lead after Bart Pettus opened the scoring with a single through the right side of the infield.

With the loss, the Warhawks (31-18, 19-9) will need some help to clinch the Sun Belt championship this weekend. If ULM wins the remaining two games of the series, New Orleans would have to drop one of its final two games at UALR this weekend in order for the Warhawks to win their first conference championship since 2002.

Game 2 - After being held scoreless over the first four innings, Troy exploded for 24 runs over the remainder of the game defeating ULM 24-6 at Warhawk Field. The Trojans (30-21, 16-10 Sun Belt) scored 12 times in the fifth inning sending 18 batters to the plate and added four more in the seventh and eight in the eighth tagging the ULM (31-19, 19-10) bullpen for 21 of the 24 runs.

Troy hit two grand slams on the afternoon, one from Bryan Miller in the fifth and one from pinch hitter Charley Williams in the eighth. Adam Bryant finished the game 5-for-5 and reached base all seven times he was at the plate.

Kyle Suire, Ben Soignier, A.J. Siggers, Ryan McMillan, Nick Maragas and Matt Laird all recorded a pair of hits for the Warhawks, while Jordy Poche hit his first home run of the season. McMillan also hit a homer for ULM, his seventh of the season.

Game 3 - Playing for the final time at home, ULM senior left-hander Jared Jennings tossed his second complete game of the year leading the Warhawks to a 8-5 victory over Troy on Senior Day at Warhawk Field.

The victory assures the Warhawks (32-19, 20-10 Sun Belt) at least second place in the Sun Belt Conference after they were picked to finish eighth by the league coaches prior to the season. ULM needs Louisiana-Lafayette (25-27, 13-14) to defeat New Orleans (38-13, 18-8) twice next weekend to win the regular season title.

Jennings struck out nine batters and scattered seven hits collecting his fourth victory of the season. The Shreveport, La., native moved into a tie for second all-time in ULM history with 81 career appearances.



at Louisiana Tech - Playing for the final time at home this season, Louisiana Tech jumped out to an early lead and didn't look back en route to a 15-5 victory over ULM at J.C. Love Field.

The Bulldogs (21-29) took a 6-0 lead following the first two innings and extended it out to 14-2 with an eight spot in the bottom of the third.

Ben Soignier hit his 16th home run of the season for the Warhawks, a solo shot in the third, to take over sole possession of second place on the ULM (32-20) single-season home run list. Corey Taylor holds the record with 19 back in 1998.

The Warhawks travel to Omaha, Neb.,for a three-game set at Creighton beginning Thursday night (May 15th) at 7:00 p.m. The first two games of the series will be played at historic Rosenblatt Stadium before moving to the Creighton Sports Complex for the Saturday finale.



Three ULM baseball players graduate in special commencement ceremony

In a special commencement ceremony held May 13, ULM President James E. Cofer, Sr. conferred degrees and awarded diplomas to baseball players D.J. Fortenberry, Jared Jennings and A.J. Siggers.

(from left:) ULM head coach Jeff Schexnaider, D.J. Fortenberry, Jared Jennings, A.J. Siggers

ULM's spring commencement is scheduled for Saturday afternoon when the Warhawks will be playing at Creighton in their final regular season game of the season.

"We want to make sure that student-athletes who are still in competition during commencement have the entire experience while they are here at ULM," President Cofer said. "They deserve to be conferred and walk in front of their family."

The Warhawks are currently tied for first place in the Sun Belt Conference after being picked to finish eighth by the league coaches prior to the season.

"We are very proud of them for what they have accomplished on the field and in the classroom," ULM director of athletics Bobby Staub said. "It takes a lot of dedication to be a successful student-athlete and these three young men are great examples of how you can succeed in both academics and athletics."

Fortenberry, a right-handed pitcher from St. Amant, La., received his degree in general studies from the College of Arts and Sciences.

"I have been at ULM for five years and I am one of the first from my family to graduate which is very exciting," Fortenberry said. "Playing baseball and going to school wasn't the easiest thing to do, but among other things it helped me develop discipline on how to handle my time which will help in the future."

Jennings, a left-handed pitcher from Shreveport, La., received his bachelor's of science degree in kinesiology from the College of Education and Human Development.

"This is very special and I appreciate having the opportunity to have this ceremony so my family could come watch me graduate," Jennings said. "It's a big relief to not have to worry about school as we get ready for the final few weeks of the season and try to win a championship."

Siggers, an outfielder from Galveston, Texas, received degrees in finance and accounting from the College of Business Administration.

"It was really nice to have my teammates here with me," Siggers said. "I never thought this day would come and now that it's finally here and to finish with two degrees is really exciting."

"I am so proud of all of them," ULM baseball head coach Jeff Schexnaider said. "It's such a tough situation to both compete in athletics and do well in school and today is a tribute to their dedication for all of their hard work."



Sun Belt Conference Baseball Tournament

ULM's Angela Drane named All-Sun Belt - Warhawks finish 10th at Sun Belt Women's Golf Championships

ULM's Angela Drane was named All-Sun Belt Conference and the Warhawks finished 10th as the Sun Belt Championships concluded Wednesday at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course. Drane didn't compete in the tournament due to an illness but was voted on the all-conference team by the league's head coaches.

Sara Larsson led the Warhawks finishing tied for 16th after shooting a six-over 78 in the final round. Taynee Pearson had her best round of the tournament carding a four-over 76 after shooting one-under over the final 12 holes. She finished tied for 41st with teammate Lina Billing.

Billing and Britany Hanna struggled on the final day shooting 12-over and 11-over, respectively. Hanna carded a pair of birdies and finished tied for 32nd following solid rounds on the first two days of the tournament.

No. 11 Denver dominated the rest of the field winning the team title by 28 strokes over UALR. The Pioneers' Stephanie Sherlock walked away with the individual title shooting eight-under for the tournament - 10 strokes better than Florida International's Paula Hertuado.

Team Standings:

1. Denver 288-296-288=872, 2. UALR 309-305-300=914, 3. South Alabama 305-305-307=917, T4. Middle Tennessee 305-308-305=918, T4. Florida International 305-311-302=918, 6. Florida Atlantic 314-312-303=929, 7. North Texas 322-308-306=936, 8. Arkansas State 317-305-317=939, 9. Western Kentucky 328-303-312=943, 10. ULM 316-317-321=954, 11. Troy 327-319-323=969






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