MONROE, La. -- ULM scored five runs between the second and third innings and chased starter Matt Bell from the game, but a sixth-run fifth propelled South Alabama to a 9-6 victory Saturday afternoon at Warhawk Field.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the second, ULM (16-28, 5-15) plated three runs as Jeff Fuller, Kodie Tidwell and Brandon Alexander all collected a RBI in the inning to give the Warhawks a 3-1 lead.
After South Alabama (33-12, 14-6) pushed across a unearned run in the third, the Warhawks responded with a pair of runs on a two-run homer by Dalton Herrington in the third. Herrington's fourth homer of the season also plated Justin Stawychny as ULM increased its lead to three runs at 5-2.
The Jaguars scored a single run in the fourth and then regained the lead as they plated six runs (five earned) in the top of the fifth to take a 9-5 advantage. Dustin Dalken and Jeff DeBlieux eached tallied two-RBI hits to highlight the South Alabama fifth.
Fuller hit a fly ball that appeared like it would drop in for a hit with just one out in the seventh; however, Fuller wound up recording a sacrifice fly as DeBlieux, the center fielder, made a great play to limit ULM to just one run. Stawychny's run closed the gap to 9-6, but the Warhawks were unable to get any closer in Saturday's loss.
ULM starter Cale Wine (4-7) took the loss after surrendering a total of nine runs (six earned) on seven hits and one walk in 4.1 innings. Carey Taylor tossed 4.2 innings of shutout baseball as he scattered six hits and struck out two.
Stawychny led ULM with three hits and three runs while Herrington added two hits, two runs and two RBI. Fuller also added two hits and two RBI Saturday afternoon.
South Alabama starter Matt Bell earned a no decision after allowing season highs in runs (five), earned runs (five) and hits (eight). Entering Saturday, Bell had allowed just 11 earned runs in nine appearances (eight starts) and 30 hits in 47.1 innings.
Reliever Hunter Soleymani (1-0) earned the win as he allowed just one run on two hits and two walks with three punchouts over the final 6.2 innings. Five different Jaguars registered two hits with DeBlieux and Dalken combining for four RBI and three runs.
The two teams will complete the three game Sun Belt series tomorrow at 1 p.m.
