MONROE – Louisiana Tech and ULM met for the second time in two weeks and this time it was the Warhawks who came away with an 8-5 win at Geo-Surfaces Field Tuesday night.

In a game that lasted three hours and 15 minutes, ULM (2-1) avenged a 3-2 loss to the Lady Techsters on Feb. 11 in the season opener for both teams.

Early on it appeared as if the Lady Techsters may pick up their second win in as many tries against ULM as Tech plated three runs in the top of the first inning.

Tech capitalized on three walks, a hit by pitch, a passed ball and an infield single against ULM starter Murphy Williams. Madie Green drew a bases loaded walk, Tristin Court drove in a run with an infield single and a run scored on a passed ball as Tech grabbed the early advantage.

However, junior Hannah Koenig struggled in her first appearance of the young season. The Brentwood, Tennessee, native allowed five runs on three hits and three walks in the bottom of the first inning before giving way to freshman Lauren Menzina.

Menzina, a Cedar Creek High School product, made her collegiate debut for Tech, allowing just one run on five hits and four walks over 3.0 innings of action in the circle.

After ULM extended its lead to 6-3 in the bottom of the fourth, Tech responded with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning. Caroline Easom drove home Bailey Wright with an RBI single up the middle and after Zoe Hicks doubled to put runners on second and third, Easom scored on a passed ball to close the gap to 6-5.

ULM plated two more runs in the bottom of the fifth and Warhawks reliever Adrianna Chavarria closed the game.

The game saw a number of impressive defensive plays by both teams. Easom robbed ULM of a hit with a diving stab of a ground ball towards the first base side of second base in the third inning. Kylie Neel robbed the Warhawks of a hit with a diving catch down the rightfield line in the fourth inning. And Green gunned down a ULM runner at the plate to complete a double play to end the sixth inning.

Easom led Tech with two hits, while Hicks and Court added the other two.

Audrey Pickett pitched the final 2.2 innings, allowing two runs – one earned – on two hits and three walks while striking out four batters.