MONROE, La. – Powered by a two-hit, shut out from Melanie Coyne, the Warhawks picked up the first game of the doubleheader to top #23 South Alabama for the first time since the 2011 season.
The Warhawks (18-7, 4-1 SBC) issued the Jaguars (17-6, 2-3 SBC) their first run-rule loss of the season. It marked ULM's first victory over a ranked opponent since the 2012 season.
Sophomore Rochelle Roberts picked up four hits in the series to extend her hit streak to nine games. Roberts scored two runs and picked up an RBI against the Jaguars.
Coyne continued her win streak in conference play picking up her third Sun Belt win to move to 5-3 on the season. Coyne shutout the Jaguars offense in game one and allowed only two hits. The sophomore also continue to prove strong at the plate with two hits and two RBI.
Game One (W, 8-0)
Coyne dealt a two-hit, shut out as the Warhawks topped #23 South Alabama in game one of the doubleheader series, giving ULM its first victory over the Jaguars since the 2011 season.
The victory was also ULM's first over a ranked opponent since the Warhawks topped #5 ULL in the 2012 season.
Coyne dealt six innings of two-hit, shut out softball as she struck out one and issued three walks. Coyne moved to 5-3 on the season. USA's Kalen McGill was charged with the loss, her first on the season, to move to 7-1.
Sophomore Rochelle Roberts went 3-for-4 and reached base in all four appearances. Roberts scored two runs and picked up one RBI. Coyne was just as lethal at the plate as in the circle as she went 2-for-2 with two RBI.
Four different Warhawks picked up RBI on the evening, as ULM earned eight runs on 10 hits against the USA pitching staff.
After exchanging two scoreless innings, ULM struck in the bottom of the third. Sophomore Sidney Coy led off the inning with a single up the middle and would swipe second during Coyne's at bat.
Coyne moved Coy to third with a sacrifice bunt, and Roberts singled through the left side to drive in the run.
Roberts would swipe second and be joined on the bags by redshirt senior Miyuki Navarrete who reached on a dropped third strike. Senior Alexis Cacioppo singled through the left side for her 18th RBI on the year and put ULM up 2-0.
The Warhawks pressured South Alabama in fourth inning. The Jaguars picked up two quick outs, but Coy singled through the left side to give ULM a base runner. Coy swiped second and would come home on a throwing error by USA's catcher Chloe Rathburn.
Coyne singled up the middle and Roberts reached on a second USA error of the inning, this one charged to third baseman Emily Messer. Navarrete drew the walk to load the bases. A wild pitch from Kaleigh Floore scored a run and put the Warhawks up 4-0 after four.
Junior Amye Barre led off the fifth inning with a walk, and was lifted for junior Kaitlyn Dupuis as a pitch runner. Dupuis swiped second to move into scoring position. Freshman Cheyanne Lyon drew a walk to put two Warhawks on the base path.
With two outs, senior Molly Mackey stepped to the plate in a pinch hit appearance. Mackey got aboard with a hit by pitch to load the bases with two outs. Coyne helped herself with an RBI single to extend her lead to 6-0 after five.
Roberts led off the sixth inning with a single up the middle. After swiping second, Roberts advanced to third on Navarrete's single to left field. Navarrete swiped to second to move two runners into scoring position.
With one out, Barre drew a walk to load the bases and the Warhawks used back-to-back hit by pitches to score two and take an 8-0 run-rule victory.
Game Two (L, 0-2)
Pitching dominated the second game of the series, as South Alabama held the Warhawks to a lone hit to take a 0-2 victory in game two to split the series.
Freshman Paige Porter dealt five innings allowing three hits and two runs as she kept South Alabama hitless through three innings. Porter moved to 7-2 on the season.
South Alabama's Farish Beard picked up the win to move to 1-1.
Roberts picked up ULM's lone hit in the game to extend her hit streak to nine games.
After three scoreless and hitless innings, South Alabama broke open the game with a two-out homer from Kaitlyn Griffith.
The Jaguars used a lead-off homer in the sixth inning from Stephanie Pilkington to take a 2-0 lead.
Roberts broke the no-hit bid in the bottom of the sixth, but the Warhawks could not manufacture a run and fell 0-2.
