OXFORD, Miss. – Powered by an eight-run, first inning, the Warhawks took home a 9-1 run-rule victory over Ole Miss, their first of two SEC opponents in the month of March, at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
The victory marked the ninth game the Warhawks (19-7, 4-1 SBC) have won in six innings of less in the 2015 season.
Sophomore Melanie Coyne led the way in the circle, pitching a complete. Coyne allowed a lone run off five hits to move to 6-3 on the season. Madi Osias took the loss for the Rebels (15-12, 0-6 SEC).
Sophomore Rochelle Roberts and junior Faith Bohack led the offensive charge for the Warhawks. Roberts went 2-for-4 while picking up two RBI as Bohack picked up two RBI and scored a run.
Coyne added to the offense going 1-for-2 with an RBI.
Redshirt senior Miyuki Navarrete drew a one-out walk to start the game off for the Warhawks. After swiping second, Navarrete was joined on the bases by senior Alexis Cacioppo who took a hit by pitch.
Junior Amye Barre knocked an infield single to load the bases for ULM as senior Molly Mackey drove home the first run of game with a bases-loaded, hit by pitch (1-0 ULM).
Bohack drew a bases-loaded walk to drive the score to 2-0 in favor of the Warhawks, which was followed by a hit by pitch issued to freshman Cheyanne Lyon (3-0 ULM). A wild pitch from the Rebels' Madi Osias scored a run to extend the Warhawk lead to 4-0.
Sophomore Sidney Coy beat out a squeeze bunt to bring home a run as Coyne and Roberts knocked back-to-back doubles to drive home three runs to bring the first-inning lead to 8-0.
The Rebels took a run back to leadoff off the second inning with a solo home run off the bat of Alex Schineider to cut the lead to 8-1.
ULM fought back in the third inning, leading off with back-to-back singles from Cacioppo and Barre. The Rebels used a fielder's choice off Mackey's at bat to pick up an out, as the Warhawks moved runners on the corners.
Bohack knocked a fielder's choice, but an Ole Miss error on the play brought home a run to give the Warhawks an eight-run and decisive 9-1 advantage.
The Warhawks return home for Sun Belt action as ULM hosts Texas State at the ULM Softball Complex. The series opens with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 21 with games schedule for 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
For the latest on ULM softball, visit ULMWarhawks.com and follow the team on Twitter (@ULM_Softball) and Facebook (facebook.com/ULMSoftball).
