MOBILE, Ala. -- ULM scored in four consecutive innings to climb within one run, but South Alabama held on for a 6-5 win Saturday Night at Stanky Field.
South Alabama (19-23, 9-10) plated the first runs of the game in the home half of the third. With Davis Knapp on first, Cameron Cummings laid down a bunt, but an errant throw to second base by Warhawk pitcher Chris Hunt allowed both runners to move into scoring position. Cole Gleason followed with a three-run homer to left center to put the Jags ahead, 3-0.
The Warhawks (17-28, 7-13) broke through with their first run of the game on a RBI double by Keelin Rasch in the fourth. Rasch's two-bagger to right center allowed Chet Simoneaux to score.
South Alabama responded with a single run in the bottom of the fourth to push its lead back to three runs (4-1).
ULM again closed the gap to just two runs in the top of the fifth. Ross Moore led off the inning with a double down the right field line and he came around to score on a RBI single by Dalton Herrington.
South Alabama made it three straight innings that it scored as the Jaguars plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth to make the score 6-2 in favor of the home club. Drew LaBounty drove in a pair with a double down the left field line.
The Warhawks again closed within two runs (6-4) in the top of the sixth as Rasch and Kodie Tidwell each drove in a run in the frame. In the seventh, Herrington drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a balk. Justin Stawychny followed with a single to left and he was able to move to second on the throw as Herrington raced home to make it 6-5. Herrington's run would be the final run of the game for either team as Rasch was robbed of a hit in right field to strand three runners in the seventh.
ULM starter Chris Hunt (2-3) was tagged with the loss as he allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits with one walk in 2.1 innings of work.
Kevin Hill earned the win to improve to 3-5 on the season as he allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits with three walks and six strikeouts in 5.1 innings. James Traylor earned his third save of the year as he tossed 2.1 scoreless frames.
ULM and South Alabama will conclude the three-game conference series tomorrow afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
For updates throughout the season on the ULM baseball team, be sure to follow the squad on twitter @ULM_BSB. Support the Warhawks through participation in the Athletic Foundation, join the ULMAF by calling 318-342-5415. Be sure to cheer on your Warhawks in person; to purchase tickets, please call 318-342-3ULM or visit the athletic ticket homepage.
Post-Game Notes:
· Keelin Rasch finished a homer shy of the cycle as he finished 3-for-5 with two RBI and one run.
· ULM stranded a total of 13 runners Saturday night.
Scoring Summary:
· USA 3, ULM 0 – Bottom 3: Cole Gleason homered to left center; Knapp Davis scored from third (unearned); Cameron Cummings scored from secon.
· USA 3, ULM 1 – Top 4: Keelin Rasch doubled to left center; Chet Simoneaux scored from second (unearned).
· USA 4, ULM 1 – Bottom 4: Cole Gleason singled through the left side; Davis Knapp scored from third.
· USA 4, ULM 2 – Top 5: Dalton Herrington singled through the right side; Ross Moore scored from second.
· USA 6, ULM 2 – Bottom 5: Drew LaBounty doubled down the left field line; Hayden Jones scored from third; Connor Hawthorne scored from second.
· USA 6, ULM 3 – Top 6: Keelin Rasch tripled to right center; Josh Faciane scored from second.
· USA 6, ULM 4 – Top 6: Kodie Tidwell grounded out to first; Keelin Rasch scored from third.
· USA 6, ULM 5 – Top 7: Justin Stawychny singled to left field; Dalton Herrington scored from second.
