BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- ULM tied the contest at 3-3 in the top of the fifth, but Samford used a pair of big innings in the second half of the game to claim a 9-3 win Friday night at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
ULM (7-7) opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. Jeff Fuller got things started as he struck out but was able to reach first thanks to a dropped third strike and a throwing error by catcher Drew McWhorter. Dalton Herrington followed with a single through the right side and Fuller was able to move to third on the hit-and-run.
Kodie Tidwell followed and singled to shallow left field allowing Fuller to score and put ULM in front, 1-0. Keelin Rasch was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out in the inning. Chet Simoneaux followed and helped ULM move ahead 2-0 as Herrington scored on his fielder's choice to third base.
In the home half of the third, the Bulldogs (9-4) were able to even the game at 2-2. With Brandon Powell standing on third and one out, Tripp Martin homered to right center to even Friday's contest.
In the fourth, Samford took a 3-2 lead on a RBI single by Powell. Powell's single to right field allowed Caleb Bryson to score from second to put the Bulldogs in front by one run.
ULM was able to even the game at 3-3 in the top of the fifth as Cody Stone was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Stone's RBI allowed Rasch to trot home from third.
Samford regained the lead as they tallied three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Damon Waller capped the inning and gave the Bulldogs a 6-3 lead as he doubled down the left field line with two outs in the inning.
In the bottom half of the eighth, the Bulldogs again scored three runs, this time two unearned, to set the final tally at 9-3.
ULM reliever Josh Leone (1-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs (six total) on seven hits with two strikeouts in 4.1 innings.
Tidwell led the Warhawks at the plate as he finished 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Samford starter Alex Ledford (3-0) earned the win after allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits in eight innings of work. Powell led the Bulldogs with three hits, two RBI and two runs.
Game two of the weekend series is set for a 2 p.m. first pitch on Saturday. ULM is expected to send redshirt-sophomore Alex Hermeling (RHP) to the hill, while Samford will likely counter with senior, right-hander Alex Milazzo.
For updates throughout the season on the ULM baseball team, be sure to follow the squad on twitter @ULM_BSB.
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