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ULM Baseball Opening Weekend Rewind

ULM Baseball Opening Weekend Rewind

Baseball Feb 19
By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist
 
MONROE, La. – ULM baseball delivered a memorable trio of games in its opening weekend under first-year coach Michael Federico.

In a three-game set against Eastern Illinois at Warhawk Field, ULM won its first two games of the series in walk-off fashion and scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth on Sunday before falling 6-5.

"We just learned that we have a lot of fight in us," ULM outfielder Turner Francis said. "The scoreboard doesn't really mean anything. Down two runs, three runs, we're going to fight back and hopefully get a W."

The teams played through a steady drizzle in Friday's doubleheader with ULM winning the opener 4-3 in 10 innings and scratching out three runs in the ninth to win 7-6 in the nightcap.

"You get two wins on your first day and that's a little different," Federico said of his first two Division I wins. "I was really excited about that for the players and for the program."

Peyton Lacoste drove in the winning run in the opener and finished 2-for-5 with two RBI. Derek Martin pitched two scoreless innings in relief and Keegan Curtis (1-0) fanned four of 10 batters over the final three innings.

In the second game, Cade Harper's two-run single put the finishing touches on ULM's comeback victory. Braedon Barrett was 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI and Brendan Jordan was 2-4 with a run and an RBI.

"Our team fights to the last out," Jordan said. "We've got that chemistry already with a lot of new guys."

Rain washed out Saturday, so the teams met on soggy turf Sunday for the finale. ULM was trailing 6-1 going into the bottom of the ninth when Federico brought the team together.

"Coach pulled us together after our last defensive inning," the first baseman Jordan said. "He stays positive the whole time and tells us to keep punching."

"He just told us not to press," Francis said. "Relax and do what you can at the plate. Try to do what you can. He doesn't put too much pressure on us."

Federico utilized his bench in the final frame with some success. Johnny DeLaCruz started the rally with a one-out double and Will Daniels walked. The Warhawks drew three walks and had three hits in the inning, including a two-run single by Jordan. ULM had runners on first and second when EIU recorded the final out on a strikeout.

"I didn't think we quit the entire time," Federico said. "I do think we had a little doubt there, for a second. We brought the troops up and talked to them and their tone changed a little bit. I was excited from that standpoint. We put ourselves in a position to win there and we had our guys up to bat. We utilized a little bit of the bench in some situations, so that was exciting. It's going to be a long season and we're going to need the whole team."

Federico had a strong support group all weekend as numerous family members made their way to Monroe from Florida, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. ULM fans also braved the wet weather too, with announced crowds over 800 for each contest.

"It was nice for me to be able to have my family in from different places," Federico said. "I can't say enough about the kids though. They could have said, 'I don't want to play in this weather.' Even our fans were able to come out and be supportive.
 
"It was an exciting weekend and something to learn from. It is a marathon and we've got a lot more to get to. We just want to keep putting our guys in a position to be successful." 

ULM remains at home for the next five games with Northwestern State visiting on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

A four-game series against Northern Kentucky begins Friday at 6 p.m.

 
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