MONROE, La. – ULM's Brandon Alexander tallied two hits include a solo homerun, but it was not enough as the Warhawks dropped a 5-2 decision to Tulane Tuesday at Warhawk Field.
Tulane (19-20) scored first as it plated three runs in the top off the first inning, all with two outs. Garrett Cannizaro drove in two with a two-RBI double down the left field line followed by Tucker Oakley's RBI double to the gap in left center to give the Green Wave the early 3-0 advantage.
The Warhawks (14-23) finally broke through as Alexander belted his first homer of the season to leadoff the bottom of the fifth and trim the deficit to two runs.
After Tulane scratched one run across in the seventh, ULM answered with a run of its on in the bottom of the frame. With Alexander standing on first, Justin Stawychny executed a perfect hit and run as his single slowly bounced into the gap in right center allowing Alexander to score all the way from first.
The Green Wave plated the game's final run in the top of the eighth inning as Tim Yandel drove in Cannizaro to set the final tally at 5-2.
ULM's Devin Malone was tagged with the loss and falls to 0-1 on the season. Tuesday's start was the first of his career but it was a short one as he faced just one batter in the second inning. He allowed three runs on two hits with three walks and one punchout. In all, ULM used a total of seven pitchers in Tuesday's contest.
Alexander led the Warhawks with two hits, two runs and one RBI.
Tulane starter Randy LeBlanc (2-2) earned the win after scattering two runs and five hits over seven innings of work. The right-hander walked two and struck out six during his 91-pitch outing. Brady Wilson earned his second save of 2013 after tossing two scoreless frames. Cannizaro led the Green Wave with three hits, two RBI and two runs.
The Warhawks return to the diamond Friday night at 6 p.m. when they host the Red Wolves of Arkansas State in the first of three Sun Belt Conference games. Game two is set for Saturday at 6 p.m., followed by the finale Sunday at 1 p.m. -- all three games can be heard live on 540 AM (Monroe) or online at ULMWarhawks.com.
