MONROE, La. – California native and former Warhawk pitcher
Melanie Coyne has been named assistant softball coach at ULM, according to an announcement made by head coach
Molly Fichtner on Wednesday, Dec. 12. Coyne, who spent last season as a graduate assistant, officially joins the Warhawk coaching staff on Jan. 2 of the New Year.
"I'm thrilled to bring
Melanie Coyne as a full-time assistant," said Fichtner. "She has played and graduated from ULM, so her passion runs deep. She brings unbelievable energy to this program, and I know she will do a great job in helping to elevate ULM softball. Melanie is a hard-working, motivated, and passionate person, and she's going to be a great fit for our program. We are lucky to have her."
Coyne began her softball career at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa High School in Santa Ana, Calif. It was here that she earned first-team all-league honors from 2010-12, was named pitcher of the year in 2011 and 2012 as well as the league's MVP in 2012, and went undefeated in league play all four years and pitched two perfect games.
As a freshman in 2014, she started in eight games for ULM and led the pitching staff in fewest hits allowed (54). Over the next three years, Coyne garnered multiple accolades as Warhawk, including a spot on the 2015 Sun Belt All-Tournament team.
Coyne marked her name in the ULM record books, earning top five finishes in multiple career categories: innings pitched (671.6), appearances (133), strikeouts (436), games started as a pitcher (109), total wins (53), complete games (61), total shutouts (19). She also ranks among the top five in games started as a pitcher in a season (38).
While serving as a graduate assistant on the ULM softball staff, Coyne was primary pitching coach, mentoring former Warhawk Paige Porter-Murray during the 2018 season, leading her to multiple Top 10 spots in the ULM career record book. Murray was second in the Sun Belt Conference in walks allowed (39). With Coyne's help, Murray and the rest of the ULM pitching staff was able to lead the team to the 2018 Sun Belt Tournament for the 11th consecutive season.
"Melanie will continue to oversee our pitching staff," Fichtner said. "Melanie will also assist with a lot of our operational responsibilities, including fundraising, community service, and the planning and execution of our skill camps."
"ULM Softball has provided me with a family, allowed me to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree and has now given me the opportunity to advance my professional career," said Coyne. "This university and this program have brought such joy to my life, and I'm honored to be able to contribute to the next generation of ULM softball."
Fichtner and the Warhawks will kick off the 2019 season on Feb. 8 at UAB's Blazer Bash. ULM's home opener will be on March 15 when it plays host to Appalachian State for a three-game weekend series. Season and single-game tickets are available through the schedule page,
here.
