Blue Raiders lose 4-1 to ULM

MONROE, La. - Middle Tennessee could not get the offense going until the last inning as they fell 4-1 to Louisiana-Monroe in the final contest of a three-game series at ULM Softball Complex on Sunday afternoon.

Middle Tennessee (6-21, 1-8 Sun Belt) was looking to salvage the series after dropping the opening two games to the Warhawks (13-19, 5-3) on Saturday.

Caty Jutson (1-7) allowed two earned runs on four hits over 3.1 innings in the defeat.

Lindsey Vander Lugt made her third appearance of the series in relief, throwing a shutout and giving up just three hits over the final 2.2 innings of the contest.

Kandace Causey (8-9) picked up her second win in three games for ULM. The righty allowed one run on four hits in the complete game.

The Blue Raiders held strong to deny the Warhawks in the first inning, Caitlin McLure's fielding error on a deep fly ball to left field allowed ULM's Brianna Love to reach third base, but three straight outs allowed the Blue Raiders to head into the second inning unscathed.

The Warhawks took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third frame. Robin Biddle singled to the left side and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt before crossing the plate off a Love RBI single to centerfield.

ULM made it 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning. The home team put two runners on after Roxane Cassel walked and Melissa Rivera reached on a fielding error by Blue Raider shortstop Brittney Banania. Taylor Renshaw and Love hit RBI singles before Renshaw scored on Banania's second error of the inning.

Middle Tennessee came close to scoring in the top of the fifth. Pinch hitter Kaycee Popham was hit by a pitch before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kelsey Dortch, but McLure flied out to left field to end the inning.

McLure was 1-for-3 for the Blue Raiders.

The Blue Raiders got on the board in the final inning. Davis started things off with a single through the left side before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Shelby Barrett.

Jessica Ives drove a RBI double into the gap in right field to make it 1-0. Kandra Singleton nailed a shot to short center field to continue the rally, but Ives was thrown out at third on the play. Singleton was caught stealing for the final out of the game.

Middle Tennessee returns to action in a doubleheader against #21 Louisiana-Lafayette on Tuesday. Opening pitch at Ragin' Cajuns Softball Park is set for 4 p.m.

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