MONROE, La. -- ULM finished day two of the 2014 Mardi Gras Classic by sweeping its games on Saturday at the ULM Softball Complex. First, ULM fought out a 4-1 victory over Houston Baptist then ended the night with a 7-1 win against Eastern Illinois.
Melanie Coyne and Samantha Hamby both pitched well behind a great offensive output by the Warhawks.
In game one, Alexis Cacioppo's two-run homer in the bottom of the second
Meanwhile, Hollie Letourneau went 2-for-3 with five RBI to pace the Warhawks in the nightcap.
GAME ONE -- ULM 4, Houston Baptist 1
ULM battled to a 4-1 victory over Houston Baptist to open play Saturday evening.
Freshman Melanie Coyne was masterful in her first career start, holding the Huskies to just one run on five hits while striking out seven.
The Warhawks got on the board almost immediately, courtesy of Alexis Cacioppo's two-run blast in the bottom of the first. The shot scored Miyuki Navarrete, who had reached on an error.
The Huskies grabbed a run back in the top of the third on Melissa Herman's RBI double, but Coyne kept the HBU bats relatively silent by striking out seven Huskie hitters.
ULM added insurance in the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back RBI hits. The production came from Robbie Dailey and Vanessa Garcia.
GAME TWO -- ULM 7, EIU 1
ULM took the Saturday's rematch with Eastern Illinois by a score of 7-1 to finish the evening.
Samantha Hamby was magnificent in the complete game victory. After hitting the first batter of the game, Hamby retired the next 12 straight Panthers.
The dominant pitching set the table for a stellar performance from the Warhawk offense, as well.
After Alexis Cacioppo drove in the game's first run in the bottom of the first, Hollie Letourneau smashed a grand slam in the bottom of the following inning to cap a five-run rally.
The Warhawks took a 7-0 lead on Faith Bohack's RBI double in the bottom of the fifth.
Eastern Illinois' Reynae Hutchinson broke up Hamby's no-hit bit with a leadoff double in the top of that same fifth inning. The Panthers later scored in the top of the 6th, plating an unearned run on Hannah Cole's RBI single.
In all, Hamby recorded seven strike outs and surrendered just one unearned run on three hits and a walk.
ULM returns to action tomorrow for a 2:15 PM tilt with Grambling State to wrap up the Mardi Gras Classic.
For updates throughout the season, follow the Warhawks on Twitter @ULM_Softball for more updates.
Support the Warhawks through participation in the Athletic Foundation, join the ULMAF by calling 318-342-5415. Be sure to cheer on your Warhawks in person; to purchase tickets for the rest of the Mardi Gras Classic, please call 318-342-3ULM or visit the athletic ticket homepage.
