ARLINGTON, Texas – Both of ULM softball's games Saturday against UT Arlington at Allan Saxe Field were tied 3-3 heading to the bottom of the seventh but the Warhawks were unable to put away the Mavericks in either contest.
UTA 4, ULM 3 (11 innings)
The Warhawks (21-24, 6-11 SBC) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning in game one on a Cheyanne Lyon double to left that scored junior Sidney Coy. The Mavericks (26-12, 5-9 SBC) matched that run in the bottom half on an RBI single to left.
Sophomore pinch runner Hunter Hogan later scored in the fourth on a throwing error by the Mavericks' catcher to put ULM ahead 2-1. The Warhawks strung together three straight singles in the top of the sixth to score another run as junior McKinley Marks drove in senior Amye Barre on a rip up the middle, which padded on to ULM's lead at 3-1.
UTA, however, was able to counter with two runs in the bottom of the sixth on a two-RBI triple to right field which tied the game at three. ULM had several chances to score in extra innings but it was the Mavericks that prevailed in the 11th on an unearned run.
Sophomore Paige Porter (3-6) re-entered the game to take loss albeit pitching very well. Porter allowed six hits thru 6.1 innings and allowed just one earned run and struck out three. UTA ace Samantha Clakley (15-9) avenged yesterday's loss by throwing all 11 innings and allowing two earned runs on eight hits during an efficient 125-pitch outing.
Junior Melanie Coyne notched two of the Warhawks' eight hits and stole her first base of the season.
UTA 4, ULM 3
This game saw the Mavericks (27-12, 6-9 SBC) score early with three runs plated in the bottom of the second inning on three hits. The Warhawks (21-25, 6-12 SBC) began to claw back in the third as junior Rochelle Roberts scored on a fielder's choice, unearned. Freshman Megan Shaw was thrown out at the plate earlier in the inning on a grounder to first.
Junior ace Melanie Coyne (15-16) then settled in to throw four straight scoreless frames, giving the Warhawks a chance in the seventh. ULM responded in a big way, putting up a two-spot on UTA's Samantha Clakley. The Warhawks punched three straight singles to the outfield as Coyne drove in sophomore Cheyanne Lyon for the first run and then sophomore pinch runner Hunter Hogan was plated on a Faith Bohack groundout to second which tied the game at three.
Unfortunately, Mavericks leadoff hitter Sandra Mendoza struck a double to left center in the bottom of the seventh that scored the game-winning run.
Coyne was handed the loss after allowing seven hits and four runs (all earned) thru 6.1 innings of work. Coyne, Lyon and Shaw each recorded multiple hits for the Warhawks.
--
ULM will stay close to home in a midweek clash against Louisiana Tech Wednesday in Ruston. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT.
For updates on the softball squad, be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
