MONROE, La. – The ULM softball squad showed its calming demeanor in an emotional 3-2 win over Louisiana Tech Wednesday inside ULM Softball Complex.
The night began with the two teams honoring Steele Becton, a three-year-old boy with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), by letting Becton toss out the first pitch.
The action in the game began early as Senior Amye Barre grounded to first but Lady Techster (19-12) first baseman Pauline Tufi airmailed the throw to second and junior Rochelle Roberts came around to score.
Junior Melanie Coyne (13-14) held LA Tech off the board until the fifth inning when senior Anna Cross lifted a two-run home run to left that gave the Lady Techsters a 2-1 advantage.
The Warhawks (19-21) found an answer in the bottom half as junior center fielder Sidney Coy singled to commence the inning. After Coy stole second, Roberts rocketed another single up the middle and the ball went right through LA Tech center fielder Tori Charters' legs, allowing Roberts to advance around the bases.
The Coyne-Cross showdown came about again in the sixth with the bases loaded after Lady Techsters second baseman Karlee Jensen earned a 13-pitch walk. This time, Coyne got the best of Cross, getting the star right fielder to ground into a fielder's choice to Bohack at short. Coyne then retired pinch hitter Taria Paige on a lineout to Barre at first to end the scoring threat.
The Lady Techsters had runners on first and second with one out in the seventh before Coyne buckled down to retire the final two batters and seal the victory for the Warhawks. Coyne forced LA Tech to leave 11 runners on base.
Barre was plunked for the 38th time of her career, tying a program record. The Warhawks are now 12-1 when holding opponents to two runs or less. Freshman Sydney McKay extended her hitting streak to six games with a single in the bottom of the fifth.
ULM returns to action this weekend inside ULM Softball Complex in a three-game Sun Belt Conference series versus Troy. The first two games will take place Saturday in a 1 p.m. CT doubleheader.
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