MONROE, La. – Junior Melanie Coyne tossed her fifth shutout of the season as the ULM softball team blanked Georgia State 2-0 Saturday night inside ULM Softball Complex.
Outside of the masterful performance in the circle, Coyne (17-18) also made her presence felt at the plate, going 2-2 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored. She allowed seven hits and struck out four during the 118-pitch outing.
“[Coyne] was phenomenal tonight,” said ULM pitching coach Keli Harrell. “She was smart and hit her spots. I think [Coyne] and [Agamaite] worked together so well and communicated with each other and with me. Coyne stepped up and made big pitches when she had to. I think – Coyne swinging the bat right now – she is just seeing the ball and helping her own cause. It's great to see Coyne so dialed in. I really think [Coyne's] hitting is helping her pitching. It's keeping her very level-headed.”
Junior first baseman Amye Barre also hit a double in the bottom of the second which prompted Coyne's double for the Warhawks' (23-27, 7-12 SBC) first run of the game. Fellow junior and designated player Vanessa Garcia scored Coyne on an RBI single in the fourth to pad on to ULM's lead. Garcia has a hit in each of the last four games.
The Warhawks handed Panthers' (26-25, 9-10 SBC) ace Katie Worley (12-9) the loss, scoring two runs despite being outhit 7-5. Coyne forced GSU to strand runners at first and third on three separate occasions throughout the game.
ULM returns to action tomorrow in what will be deemed as “Senior Day” for Barre and Faith Bohack. The final two games will be played on an 11 a.m. doubleheader.
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