MONROE, La. – Junior Melanie Coyne's complete-game shutout lifted the ULM softball team to a 2-0 victory over Troy Sunday afternoon inside ULM Softball Complex.
Coyne (14-15) was masterful and efficient, throwing 71 of 91 pitches for strikes. She took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and allowed just two hits total while also striking out two in the complete-game effort. The shutout marked Coyne's fourth of the season and ninth of her career.
“[Coyne] had a great mental approach the last couple of days,” said ULM pitching coach Keli Harrell. “She's always been a leader and worked hard but today she really pitched like the leader that she is. She proved that if she can bring her best game, she puts her team into a position to win every single time. She attacked the zone and was really dialed in with her motion. When she's that dialed in, she's a really tough pitcher to face. We hope to see a lot more of this out of her.”
The Warhawks (20-23, 5-10 SBC) scratched the two lone runs in the fifth inning. Juniors Rochelle Roberts and Sidney Coy reached via bunt singles and Roberts went from first all the way to home on some heads-up baserunning. Roberts noticed the pitcher and catcher not paying attention and stole home for the game-winning run.
After Coy stole second later in the inning, freshman Sydney McKay plated Coy on a single up the middle for an insurance run.
Trojans (25-14, 6-6 SBC) center fielder Carli Kayler broke up Coyne's no-no with one out in the sixth on a Texas leaguer that Roberts nearly caught. First baseman Meg Willis ripped a single down the left-field line in the seventh, becoming the only other batter to record a hit for Troy.
The Warhawks tagged Trojans ace Ashley Rainey (13-11) with the loss as she gave up the two aforementioned earned runs on six hits through 4.2 innings of work.
Roberts hit .700 (7-10) with a double and two walks complemented by a perfect 4-for-4 in stolen bases during the three-game series against the Trojans.
ULM has no midweek games this week and head to Texas next weekend for a three-game SBC series against UT Arlington.
For updates on the softball squad, be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
