NASHVILLE – Junior Melanie Coyne threw her third complete game of the season but a lack of timely hitting resulted in a 5-3 defeat for ULM softball Sunday morning against East Tennessee State at the Tiger Classic inside Tiger Softball Field.
The Warhawks (8-3) had their fair share of opportunities, converting 2-12 runners in scoring position and 0-4 runners on third and less than two out. Junior Rochelle Roberts (.553) finished the contest with two hits including a triple and a stolen base.
The Bucs (4-3) surged out to a 3-0 advantage in the top of the third. After Kelsey Chernak walked and Bethany Cowart singled, Taylor Carter plated them on a double to the gap in left center. Danielle Knoetze then scored Carter on a two-out double to center.
ULM chipped away at the ETSU lead in the bottom half when freshman Sydney McKay scored sophomore Samantha Agamaite, who walked and advanced to third on a dropped fly earlier in the inning, on an RBI single through the left side.
Knoetze again widened the gap to three in the top of the fifth, hitting a two-out solo homer to left center to put the Bucs back on top 4-1.
The Warhawks bounced back in the bottom of the fifth after senior Faith Bohack started the inning with a bunt single, stole second and later scored on fellow senior Amye Barre's single down the left field line.
ETSU would again counter in the top of the seventh with another solo home run to left center, this one via Carter which added another insurance run at 5-2.
Junior McKinley Marks hit a two-out solo homer to right on a 2-2 count in the bottom of the seventh to extend the game, but freshman pinch hitter Grace Srichantra grounded out to third to end the game.
ULM concluded the weekend 4-1 at the Tiger Classic. Roberts highlighted the Warhawks' offense, batting .667 (12-18) complemented by 10 runs, six RBIs, a double, a triple and two home runs. She also converted 7-7 stolen bases. McKay spearheaded the Warhawks with eight RBIs while Barre (.412) and Marks (.429) also had productive weekends at the dish.
ULM heads to Natchitoches, La., Wednesday for a mid-week tilt against Northwestern State, the preseason favorite to win the Southland Conference. The game has been pushed up from its original time slot and now features a 5 p.m. CT first pitch.
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