MONROE, La. -- ULM (11-19, 1-9) scored one run in the ninth and had the tying run on second base with no outs but the Warhawks were unable to do any further damage as they fell, 8-6, to No. 25 Florida Atlantic (21-9, 8-2) Friday night at Warhawk Field.
The Owls brought on their closer to start the bottom of the nighth as the visitors held an 8-5 lead. Dalton Herrington singled to right field and pinch hitter Brandon Alexander drew a walk before Kodie Tidwell closed the gap to 8-6 with a RBI single to left. Alexander moved to third on the play and Tidwell was able to move to second on the throw into the infield. ULM was unable to push any more runs across as Jeff Fuller and Chris Dudley struck out and Judd Edwards grounded out to end Friday's contest.
ULM starter Cale Wine (3-5) was tagged with the loss after surrendering seven runs on 11 hits with one walk and five punchouts in five innings of work.
The Warhawks were paced by Fuller and Herrington in the weekend opener. Fuller registered a new career high with three RBI and tied a career mark with three hits. Herrington, meanwhile, collected two hits and set a new career best with three runs scored.
FAU starter Austin Gomber improved to 4-1 on the season after five runs (four earned) scored on his watch during seven innings on the hill. Hugh Adams picked up his Sun Belt leading 10th save of the season. Nathan Pittman had two hits, two RBI and two runs, while Mitch Morales had two hits and two RBI to lead the Owls.
FAU struck first as Morales drove in a pair with a two-out, two-RBI single to right to give the Owls a 2-0 advantage in the top of the fourth. FAU added a single run in the top of the fifth to increase its lead to 3-0.
ULM was able to even the contest in the home half of the fifth inning. With two outs, Herrington laid down a bunt down the third base line and Logan Fiasco reached on a fielder's choice to give ULM a pair of base runners. Tidwell followed with a RBI single through the right side allowing Herrington to score the first Warhawk run of the night. Fuller followed and drove in Fiasco and Tidwell with a two-RBI double to left to even the game at three-all.
FAU responded with four runs in the top half of the sixth inning as it regained the lead, 7-3. Pittman highlighted the Owl sixth with a two-RBI double to left field.
In the bottom half of the seventh, ULM climbed to within two as Justin Stawychny led off the inning with a solo blast to left and Herrington scored on a RBI single to left by Fuller.
The two teams traded a single run in the ninth to set the final tally at 8-6 in favor of Florida Atlantic.
The two teams will return to the diamond tomorrow night with first pitch slated for 6 p.m.
Shelby Aulds (Sr., RHP, 2-3, 4.45) is slated to get the start for ULM, while FAU is expected to counter with Kevin Alexander (RS-Jr., RHP, 2-2, 1.71 ERA).
