MOBILE, Ala. -- ULM scored eight
unanswered runs, including six over the final three innings of the game, to
rally past South Alabama for an 8-3 victory in the Sun Belt Conference series
opener Friday night at Stanky Field.
After the Jaguars scored once
in the first and twice in the second, ULM began to chip away at the lead with
an RBI groundout and RBI single by Les Aulds in the third and fifth innings, respectively.
The Warhawks (14-7, 3-1 Sun Belt), who have won 12 of their last 15 games,
improved to 5-0 in series openers this season with the victory.
Aulds, who has reached base
safely in all 21 games this season, was 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a pair of
runs scored. The Warhawks belted out 11 hits on the night led by Matt Laird's
3-for-4 outing. Jarrett Hammond and Joey Rapp each added a pair of hits and
were instrumental in a four-run ninth inning that put the game out of reach.
ULM took the lead with a pair
of runs in the top of the seventh. Aulds tied the game with his third RBI of
the night as he drove a two-out double into the gap in left center and Hammond
scored all the way from first. Jordy Poche followed with a single up the middle
to put the Warhawks in front 4-3.
Hammond doubled to lead off
the ninth inning as he hustled to second and took an uncovered base. The Warhawks
loaded the bases with two outs after Aulds drew an intentional walk and Caleb
Clowers worked a free pass.
After falling behind 0-2, Rapp
battled to even the count before hammering a double off the wall in left-center
field to clear the bases and give ULM a 7-3 lead. He would come around and
score the final run of the game after moving to third on a wild pitch and scoring
on an error.
Drew Granier (3-0) battled
through some control problems to pick up his third straight victory for the
Warhawks. The right-hander struck out a season-high 10 batters and allowed
three runs on seven hits and six walks.
James Jones picked up his
third save of the season with two scoreless innings out of the pen. In eight
appearances out of the bullpen this season, Jones is 4-0 with three saves, a
0.69 ERA, 29 strikeouts and a .161 batting average against in 26 innings.
Garrett Harris (3-1) suffered
his first loss of the season after allowing four runs on nine hits in eight
innings of work; he struck out seven and walked none before handing the ball
off to the bullpen.
Nolan Earley led South Alabama
(11-10, 1-3) with three hits and a pair of RBIs, while Jeff DeBleux added two
hits.
The Warhawks and Jaguars
continue their three-game series Saturday at 6 p.m. Sophomore southpaw Randy
Zeigler (2-1, 3.99) will get the start for the Warhawks and the Jaguars will
counter with senior right-hander Dustin Crenshaw (3-0, 3.52).
