LAFAYETTE, La. -- ULM scored the game's first run, but No. 3 UL-Lafayette scored the final nine runs of the game to claim a 9-1 win Friday night at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field.
ULM, like it did in the series opener on Thursday night, scored the game's first run in the top of the second inning. With two outs in the frame, Trent Lucas singled to right field and Jacob Stockton followed with a triple that hit just inside the right field line to give the Warhawks (22-33, 11-18) a 1-0 lead.
The Cajuns (48-7, 25-4) answered with a single run in the bottom of the second on a solo homer by Greg Davis. An inning later, UL-L posted a pair of runs to take a 3-1 lead as Michael Strentz homered and Jace Conrad drove in one with a RBI double.
The homestanding Cajuns plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth and added three more in the bottom of the sixth to push their lead to 8-1. The Cajuns scored a single run in the bottom of the seventh to set the final tally at 9-1.
ULM used a total of three pitchers in the game. Chris Hunt (2-5) was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits with two strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work. Anthony Herrera and Logan Dopson combined to close out the game as they pitched the final 3.2 innings on the hill.
Carson Baranik (10-1) earned the win in a pre-determined short start as he allowed one run on three hits in four innings. Matt Plitt earned his third save after tossing the final five innings.
ULM and UL-L will return complete the three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. The regular-season finale for both teams will air on ESPN3.
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:
· Jacob Stockton's first inning triple was his third three-bagger of the season.
· Scenarios for Warhawks on Saturday to reach Mobile for SBC Tournament:
- Win at UL-L
- Or loss by South Alabama (at Troy)
- Or loss by UALR (vs. Arkansas State)
Scoring Summary:
· ULM 1, UL-L 0 – Top 2: Jacob Stockton tripled down the right field line; Trent Lucas scored from first.
· ULM 1, UL-L 1 – Bottom 2: Greg Davis homered to left center.
· UL-L 2, ULM 1 – Bottom 3: Michael Strentz homered to left field.
· UL-L 3, ULM 1 – Bottom 3: Jace Conrad doubled to right field; Ryan Leonards scored from third.
· UL-L 4, ULM 1 – Bottom 5: Seth Harrison doubled down left field line; Ryan Leonards scored from third.
· UL-L 5, ULM 1 – Bottom 5: Tyler Girouard doubled to shortstop; Seth Harrison scored from second.
· UL-L 6, ULM 1 – Bottom 6: Michael Strentz reached on fielder's choice, bunt, advanced to second; Blake Trahan scored from second (unearned).
· UL-L 8, ULM 1 – Bottom 6: Ryan Leonards singled to right field; Kyle Clement scored from third; Michael Strentz scored from second (unearned).
UL-L 9, ULM 1 – Bottom 7: Kyle Clement singled to right field; Chase Compton scored from second.
