WINGATE, N.C. – Powered by a shutout performance from sophomore Melanie Coyne, the Warhawks topped Appalachian State in the series finale to secure ULM's first Sun Belt Conference opening series sweep in program history.
The sweep marks the first three-game conference series sweep for the Warhawks (17-6, 3-0 SBC) since 2011 when ULM swept then conference member Middle Tennessee State.
Coyne led the charge for the Warhawks pitching 6.2 innings of shutout softball and moved to 4-3 on the season. The sophomore no-hit the Mountaineers (8-10, 0-3 SBC) through three innings and allowed on four hits in the game.
Coyne continued to be lethal on the mound striking out eight Appalachian State batters for a total of 21 strikeouts on the weekend.
Freshman Paige Porter closed the game, coming into the seventh inning to record the final out.
Senior Alexis Cacioppo powered the offense, going 1-for-1 with three RBI, two runs scored and drawing two walks. Cacioppo's four RBI-weekend, moves her to 17 on the season and 109 RBI on her career. She is three RBI shy of moving to fifth on ULM's all-time, career RBI leaderboard.
Sophomore Rochelle Roberts went 2-for-2, extending her hit streak to seven games, scoring two runs for the Warhawks. Sophomore Vanessa Garcia posted a three-hit game for the Warhawks with one RBI.
The Warhawks and Mountaineers exchanged two scoreless innings, before the Warhwaks struck first in the top of the third. Sophomore Sidney Coy led off the inning with a double down the left field line.
After advancing to third on a groundout from redshirt senior Miyuki Navarrete, Coy scored off a bunt single from Roberts. Roberts would swipe second and advanced to third on a grounder from junior Faith Bohack.
Cacioppo drew a two-out walk and swiped second to move two Warhawks into scoring position. Junior Amye Barre loaded the bases with two-out drawing the second walk on the inning. Garcia singled to centerfield scoring Roberts.
Appalachian State made the out at home on the play to save a second run from scoring, but the Warhawks left the top of third with a 2-0 lead.
Freshman Cheyanne Lyon singled through the right side to lead off the fourth inning for ULM with senior Mackenzie Miller entering the game to pinch run for the freshman. After swiping second with one out, Miller advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt single from Coy.
Coy moved into scoring position by swiping second. Miller would come home on a throwing error on Appalachian State's pitcher Vanessa Ciocatto, advancing Coy to third. Roberts singled to centerfield with two outs to drive home Coy and give the Warhawks a 4-0 lead.
Cynthia Gomez broke Coyne's no-hitter in the bottom of the fourth, but Appalachian State could not manufacture a run as the Mountaineers scattered three more hits through the remainder of the game and secured ULM's second shutout victory of the season.
The Warhawks put their undefeated home record on the line hosting a nine-game home stand beginning on Wednesday, March 11 as ULM hosts Incarnate Word in a doubleheader with games slated at 4 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).
