MONROE, La. - Sam Houston State scored
five first-inning runs and cruised to a 9-1 victory over ULM in game two Saturday
at Warhawk Field.
The loss snaps a five-game winning
streak for the Warhawks (5-2) and marks their first home loss of the season.
ULM managed just two hits in the game, a single in the fourth inning by Joey
Rapp and a home run from junior Judd Edwards in the fifth inning.
Sam Houston State starter Justin
Johnson (2-0) had a strong showing, tossing six innings and allowing just one
run on two hits while striking out seven. Brandon Bergen came in and pitched
the final three innings without allowing a hit to earn the save.
The Bearkats (4-2) pounded out 13 hits
in the game and were led at the plate by Ryan O'Hearn and John Hale with three
hits each.
Sam Houston State rocked ULM starter
Alex Hermeling (1-1) for five quick runs in the top of the first inning. After
the first two batters of the game walked, Hale reached on a bunt single and
O'Hearn singled through the ride side to plate the first two runs of the game.
Kevin Miller then reached on a throwing
error by Hermeling on a bunt, plating another run and giving the visitors a 3-0
advantage. Shea Pierce finished off the scoring with a two-RBI double to right
center.
Hermeling faced just six batters in the
game, giving up four earned runs on three hits and walking two.
Junior Shelby Aulds came on in relief
and weathered the storm over the next five innings, giving up no runs on five
hits and striking out five. Aulds has not allowed a run in 12 innings pitched
so far this season.
After the Warhawks cut the lead to 5-1
on a solo home run by Edwards in the fifth, the Bearkats answered with a
two-run blast off the bat of Luke Plucheck in the top of the sixth.
Sam Houston State added a pair of runs
in the ninth inning off freshman Ryan Bergeron.
ULM and Sam Houston State wrap up the
three-game series Sunday with the first pitch at 1 p.m. at Warhawk Field.
