NACOGDOCHES, Texas - A strong relief outing
by junior Andrew Richardson kept the game close, but a complete game six-hitter
from Brett Higginbotham led Stephen F. Austin to a 4-3 win over the ULM
baseball team Tuesday afternoon at Jaycees Field.
Both teams combined to leave 16 runners on
base. ULM added to its Sun Belt
Conference leading 20 steals by swiping three bags.
Richardson (0-1) allowed two runs in his
seven full innings out of the bullpen, walking one and striking out seven to
take the hard-luck loss. The right-hander
has allowed only four earned runs in 13.0 innings of work this season.
Higginbotham (1-0) allowed three runs, none
after the second inning, striking out five batters to earn the victory.
Les Aulds lined a 2-2 pitch to the gap in
right center to lead off the game to get the Warhawks in the hit column. Lumberjack starter Higginbotham then hit Jeremy
Sy to put two men on with nobody out. Caleb
Clowers moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, setting
the table for Corben Green to drill a two-run single into right center field
that gave ULM a quick 2-0 lead.
Stephen F. Austin (2-7) struck for one run in
the bottom of the first when Jordon Lenaburg smacked an RBI single to plate Hunter
Dozier and bring the Lumberjacks within 2-1.
ULM starting pitcher Alex Hermeling buckled down and retired Adam Mann
on a popout to Clowers at second to close the inning.
The Warhawks (6-3) scored another run in top
of the second frame after Higginbotham threw away an attempted pickoff to
second base, scoring Aulds from third base to up ULM's lead to 3-1. Jeff Fuller, who pinch hit for Sy, grounded
back to the pitcher for out number three.
Mann drove a 2-1 pitch from Richardson down
the left field line to plate Dozier and tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of
the third. Ricardo Sanchez singled on
the very next pitch to score Mann and give Stephen F. Austin its first lead of
the ballgame 4-3.
ULM's Taylor Abdalla touched up the
Lumberjack starter for a two-out base hit up the middle in the top of fourth
before moving into scoring position on a stolen base. Undeterred, Higginbotham got Aulds to ground
out 3-1 to escape the frame.
Stephen F. Austin threatened in the seventh
inning after Jarid Scarafiotti opened with a single up the middle. Richardson responded by forcing Lenaburg to
hit a sharp grounder to Joey Rapp at first to start the 3-6-3 double play. The Warhawk reliever struck out Bobby
Loveless on a 2-2 offering to end the inning.
Six players paced ULM with one base hit, with
Green contributing both RBIs. Aulds added
his team-leading sixth stolen base of the season.
Sanchez and Rory Myers led Stephen F. Austin
with two hits apiece. Scarafiotti chipped
in a base knock and drew one walk.
ULM returns home to Warhawk Field to host
Nicholls State Friday night at 6 p.m. in game one of a three-game weekend
series. Live audio, video and live stats
will be available on ulmwarhawks.com.
