TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- ULM jumped on the scoreboard first, but a three-run third inning was enough for No. 15 Alabama to escape the upset bid as the Crimson Tide claimed a 3-2 win Tuesday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
The loss at Alabama marked the third time this season that ULM dropped a one-run decision to a nationally-ranked SEC foe. In February, ULM dropped back-to-back one run decisions at then-No. 24 Ole Miss.
The Warhawks plated the game's first run in the top half of the second inning. With one out in the frame, Justin Stawychny hit a bloop single into right field. After a strikeout, Chet Simoneaux followed with a hard hit fly ball to the warning track that was dropped by a leaping Casey Hughston in left. Stawychny was able to score all the way from first and Simoneaux was able to move to second, but he was left stranded.
Alabama plated three runs in the home half of the third to take a two-run lead at 3-1. With runners on second and third, Georgie Salem tallied a RBI with an infield single as Chance Vincent scored and tied the game at one-all. The final two Crimson Tide runs of the frame were unearned. Daniel Cucjen scored from third when Mikey White reached on a error in left, while Salem scored on a sacrifice fly by Ben Moore.
Dalton Herrington led off the top of the fifth with a double down the right field line and he later moved to third when Josh Faciane reached on an error by Alabama pitcher, Tucker Hawley. Anthony Herrera followed with a sacrifice bunt allowing both base runners to advance 90 feet. Herrera's RBI, that plated Herrington, trimmed the deficit to just one run (3-2).
The Warhawks were unable to push any more runs across as the Warhawks suffered the loss.
Carey Taylor (2-2) was tagged with the hard luck loss as he allowed one earned run (three total) on four hits and two walks and two strikeouts in three innings in a predetermined short start. Stawychny and Herrington each tallied one hit and one run in the contest.
Tucker Hawley (2-1) earned the win after allowing two unearned runs on four hits with four strikeouts in five innings of work. Thomas Burrows earned his third save of the season after tossing a scoreless ninth. Salem led the Crimson Tide with two hits, one run and one RBI.
ULM will turn around and play tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. as it closes out the midweek with a home contest against Nicholls State.
For updates throughout the season on the ULM baseball team, be sure to follow the squad on twitter @ULM_BSB.
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