MONROE, La. – The sun was shining in Warhawk country today (Mar.31), as the ULM softball team completed its sweep of Sun Belt opponent Coastal Carolina in an 8-2 decision. Senior pitcher
Paige Murray earned her tenth win with the victory, her fifth in a row.
"Paige was great today, she and the team worked well together to produce a solid defense," head softball coach
Corey Lyon said. "Today was a great team win."
The Warhawks jumped out to an early four-run lead in the second inning, behind the batting powers of
Rochelle Roberts,
Sydney McKay, and
Hunter Hogan.
Roberts' RBI single to third base in first inning scored McKay for ULM's first run; McKay reached on a throwing error by the Coastal's third baseman.
In the second inning, McKay singled to left field to drive in
Brie Wrobel who kicked off the second inning with a walk and advanced to second, into scoring position, on a passed ball.
Jaclyn Kresta also walked in the second inning, stealing home after Wrobel's score. McKay would cross the plate too, brought in by
Hunter Hogan's single to second base.
Leading 4-0, neither ULM nor Coastal Carolina would see any action until the sixth inning, when the Chanticleers made an attempt at the Warhawk's lead.
The Hawks found themselves in a bit of trouble, after CCU scored two in the top of the inning off a double to right field and a sacrifice fly only two batters later.
ULM did its job to secure the win in the bottom of the inning, answering with four runs of their own. Jesse Watts, who entered for the Warhawks in the fourth inning, gave the Warhawks the insurance it needed with a single to centerfield that scored
Hunter Hogan and
Jayden Mount.
"I'm very proud of
Jessie Watts for stepping in when we needed her and coming up big with some hits for the team," Lyon said.
Murray closed out the final inning, sitting the Chanticleers in order and capturing the 8-2 win for ULM.
The Warhawks have little time for rest, as they host Southesastern Louisiana and Alcorn next week on Tuesday (April 3) and Wednesday (April 4) respectively.
