MONROE, La. – Sophomore Melanie Coyne dealt a three-hit shutout as the Warhawks (21-8, 5-2 SBC) topped Central Arkansas (21-8) by a 4-0 score at the ULM Softball Complex on Wednesday.
Coyne went the distance, pitching seven innings of shutout softball, allowing only three hits and striking out six batters. Coyne earned the win to move to 7-4 on the season.
Junior Faith Bohack and sophomore Vanessa Garcia picked up two hits each on the day to account for half of the Warhawks' total hits, including Bohack knocking her third triple on the season.
Junior Amye Barre delivered a two-RBI single with seniors Miyuki Navarrete and Alexis Cacioppo picking up an RBI apiece.
The Warhawks continued their trend of scoring early, picking up two runs in the first inning and marking the 15th game ULM has scored in the first inning.
Bohack knocked a one-out triple to center field to kick off the first inning for the Warhawks. Navarrete executed a bunt to the pitcher. Central Arkansas threw to home plate on the play, but Bohack got under the tag to score.
Cacioppo doubled to left field to bring home Navarrete and put ULM up 2-0.
The Bears and Warhawks exchanged three scoreless innings before ULM plated insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Bohack singled through the right side to lead off for ULM. Navarrete followed with a bunt single to third place to put two runners on for the Warhawks. Barre doubled down the left field line to clear the bases and give ULM the decisive 4-0 lead.
The Warhawks travel to Statesboro, Ga., to kick off an eight-game road trip with a three-game series with conference opponent Georgia Southern on March 28-29.
For the latest on ULM softball, visit ULMWarhawks.com and follow the team on Twitter (@ULM_Softball) and Facebook (facebook.com/ULMSoftball).
