Wednesday, March 25, 201
Warhawks Tally Shutout Win Over Central Arkansas
MONROE, La. – Sophomore Melanie Coyne dealt a three-hit shutout as the Warhawks (21-8, 5-2 SBC) topped Central Arkansas (21-8) by a 4-0 score at the ULM Softball Complex on Wednesday.
Coyne went the distance, pitching seven innings of shutout softball, allowing only three hits and striking out six batters. Coyne earned the win to move to 7-4 on the season.
Junior Faith Bohack and sophomore Vanessa Garcia picked up two hits each on the day to account for half of the Warhawks’ total hits, including Bohack knocking her third triple on the season.
Junior Amye Barre delivered a two-RBI single with seniors Miyuki Navarrete and Alexis Cacioppo picking up an RBI apiece.
The Warhawks continued their trend of scoring early, picking up two runs in the first inning and marking the 15th game ULM has scored in the first inning.
Bohack knocked a one-out triple to center field to kick off the first inning for the Warhawks. Navarrete executed a bunt to the pitcher. Central Arkansas threw to home plate on the play, but Bohack got under the tag to score.
Cacioppo doubled to left field to bring home Navarrete and put ULM up 2-0.
The Bears and Warhawks exchanged three scoreless innings before ULM plated insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Bohack singled through the right side to lead off for ULM. Navarrete followed with a bunt single to third place to put two runners on for the Warhawks. Barre doubled down the left field line to clear the bases and give ULM the decisive 4-0 lead.
The Warhawks travel to Statesboro, Ga., to kick off an eight-game road trip with a three-game series with conference opponent Georgia Southern on March 28-29.
For the latest on ULM softball, visit ULMWarhawks.com and follow the team on Twitter (@ULM_Softball) and Facebook (facebook.com/ULMSoftball).
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UTA Offense Runs Past Wildcats in Abilene
ABILENE, Texas – Two big innings helped UT Arlington run past the Abilene Christian Wildcats on Wednesday night at Poly Wells Field.
The Mavericks (18-15) used a four-run third and a 10-run fifth to run-rule the Wildcats (5-22) in five innings. All nine starters reached safely in the win as UTA won its fourth in the last five games.
"The team had a lot of energy and we capitalized on all our opportunities at the plate today," UT Arlington coach Kristie Fox said. "I felt like today we were rolling on all cylinders, pitching, defense and offense."
Meagan Michele and Nina Villanueva led the team with three hits and three runs scored. Michele was 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBI and Villanueva was perfect (3-3) with three RBI. Mallory Foster and Rebecca Stokes each had two hits and two RBI, while Foster had two runs.
UTA starter Sam Montes improved to 8-8. The sophomore allowed six hits, struck out two and did not allow a walk in the complete-game shutout.
"Montes did a great job of hitting spots and changing speeds and our defense made some big plays behind her," Fox said.
After two scoreless innings, UTA used four hits to build a 4-0 lead after three. Michele's double down the left-field line got things started as she brought home Sandra Mendoza. Shelbi Sikes added to the lead with a sacrifice fly, while Mallory Foster and Rebecca Stokes each had RBI hits.
Six consecutive hits started off the offense in the fifth as the Mavs scored four before the first out. Hitting around in the lineup, Villanueva's two-out double with the bases loaded scored three. Michele followed up the shortstop's hit with a two-run homer over the left-field fence.
The home run was Michele's eighth of the season, tying teammate Mya Anderson for eighth in UTA single-season history.
The win helped avenge a loss to ACU on March 17.
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Texas State Softball Edges Out McNeese State, 4-3
SAN MARCOS, Texas – A three RBI double in the second by Ariel Ortiz carried the Texas State softball team to a 4-3 victory over former Southland Conference foe McNeese State Wednesday evening. The victory marked the 20th win of the season for the Bobcats as they improve to 20-13 overall.
Ortiz proved to be perfect on the evening as she drew walks in her other two at bats. Her double was the 15th one this season which is not only a team-high, but a conference-high as well.
Four runs in the bottom of the second would be the only time in the game that Texas State would put runs on the board. After a pair of walks to lead off the inning, Braegan Hamilton notched first Bobcat hit and first run of the day with a blooper to right field, scoring Katie Doerre.
The inning continued for Texas State when Kelli Baker got hit for the second time of the day to load the bases for Ortiz. Ortiz then rocketed a double to score all three of the base runners and to take a 4-0 lead over McNeese.
The Cowgirls waited just an inning before their push to chip away at the Texas State lead. In the top of the fourth, McNeese hit a solo shot to make it a 4-1 game.
Just two innings later the Cowgirls struck again with another home run, this time a two-run shot to left center field. The home run then made it just a one run Bobcat lead.
Texas State was able to hold out in the seventh to pull away with the win. Randi Rupp earned her 14th victory of the season while fanning three. Hamilton finished the day with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate and the Bobcats finished with seven total hits.
Texas State will continue play at home this weekend with a conference series against UL Lafayette. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 1 p.m. with game two to follow shortly after the conclusion of game one. Live stats, live audio and live video will be available at www.txstatebobcats.com for fans unable to be in attendance.
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Eagles Drop 11-0 Decision at No. 7 Georgia
ATHENS, GA. – A six-run first inning opened the door for No. 7 Georgia to take an 11-0 win over Georgia Southern on Wednesday night at the Jack Turner Stadium. The Eagles got singles from Taylor Rogers, Emily Snider and Lexi Allen, but it was all Bulldogs on the scoreboard. Georgia Southern returns home for a three-game weekend series against UL Monroe starting Saturday from 1 p.m. at the friendly confines.
“Georgia is a great team, they are ranked seventh in the country,” said Head Coach Annie Smith. “We got off to a rough start, but Heather (Felt), settled down and we got some good at bats. We are a young team and we were able to learn some things later in the game.”
Georgia got to starting pitcher Kierra Camp early, tallying six runs off two hits and three walks in the opening frame before the freshman hurler was removed without recording an out. Heather Felt came on in relief and didn’t allow any further runs in the first, but conceded five total runs over her four innings of work.
The Bulldogs’ starting pitcher, Chelsea Wilkinson, stymied the Eagles, allowing just three hits on the evening. Rogers picked up a two-out single in the fifth inning to extend her hit streak to 19-straight games.
Georgia Southern is back at home this weekend for the inaugural “Bark in the Park” weekend. Fans are encouraged to bring their canine friends and watch the games from the outfield. The Eagles start the weekend against UL Monroe on Saturday at 1 p.m. It is also Education Weekend with Georgia Southern and Bulloch Country teachers being recognized at the games.
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Fans can purchase tickets to Georgia Southern Athletics events by calling 1-800-GSU-WINS or by visiting GSEagles.com.
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App State Softball Drops Two Games to Campbell
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Appalachian State University softball dropped both games of a doubleheader to Campbell on Wednesday. The Mountaineers (9-18) fell in Game One 5-1 and lost Game Two 5-0.
Game One: Campbell 5, App State 1
The Camels (18-13) got on the board first in the opening inning on a Stephanie Jones fielder’s choice.
With a 1-0 advantage in the third inning, Campbell used two RBI singles to extend their lead to 3-0 over the Mountaineers.
Campbell then scratched across one run in each of the next two innings to take a 5-0 lead into the sixth.
After a scoreless sixth, App State would finally get on the board with a Caroline Chambers solo home run to left field. The homer for Chambers was her third of the season and her career.
The Apps managed just three hits in the contest with Tiffany Taynor and Caroline Rogers netting singles to go along with Chambers’ long ball.
Alissa Schoelkopf got the start and pitched 2.1 innings, allowing three runs on four hits to go along with three strikeouts. Vanessa Ciocatto pitched 1.1 innings in relief and gave up one run (not earned) on three hits.
Katie Williford finished the remaining 2.1 innings and allowed one run on three hits.
Game Two: Campbell 5, App State 0
The Mountaineers fell behind early again in Game Two when the Camels scored on an RBI single to go up 1-0.
Katherine Johnson started in the circle and pitched effectively for the Apps in 4.1 innings. Johnson allowed two runs (one earned) on six scattered hits. The redshirt junior also struck out three in the game.
Johnson held the Camels to one run through the first three innings before allowing one in the fourth when Campbell plated a run on a Mountaineer error.
With a 2-0 lead, Campbell stretched its lead with a three-run sixth inning. Back-to-back RBI doubles and two consecutive wild pitches led to the offensive outburst for the Camels.
Williford pitched 1.1 innings and surrendered three runs on three hits. Schoelkopf pitched the final out of the sixth.
Appalachian State will return home to Sywassink/Lloyd Family Stadium this weekend when it hosts UT Arlington in a Sun Belt Conference series. The Mountaineers will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 and then a single game at 12 p.m. on Sunday, March 29.