MOBILE, Ala. -- Eighth-seeded ULM was able to even the game at 3-3 in the top of the eighth, but a four-run bottom of the eighth was enough for top-seeded UL-Lafayette to claim the Sun Belt Conference Tournament opener for both teams Wednesday afternoon at Stanky Field. With the loss, the Warhawks will face the Hilltoppers of WKU on Thursday morning at 9 a.m. in the first elimination game of the SBC Tournament.
The Warhawks (22-35) took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning thanks to a pair of hits and a walk. Keelin Rasch delivered a one-out single to left and Kodie Tidwell followed with a walk to give ULM two on with just one out. After a wild pitch advanced runners 90 feet closer to home, Ross Moore delivered a hot shot back up the middle to plate a pair of runs and give ULM a two-run advantage.
After keeping UL-L (50-7) off of the scoreboard the first two innings, the Cajuns broke through in the bottom of the third. A Kyle Clement single and a Blake Trahan double gave UL-L two runners in scoring position with no outs. Ryan Leonards was able to drive in a run with a sacrifice fly to center field.
The Warhawks were able to limit the damage thanks to a strikeout, followed by a 5-3 putout at first. Rasch charged a slow roller by Tyler Girouard and his throw to Moore was a slightly off, but Moore was able to apply the tag for the final out in the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, the Cajuns got a pair on via hit-by-pitches, but a fly out to center and a 4-6-3 double play ended the threat to keep ULM ahead, 2-1.
The Cajuns added a single run in the bottom of the fifth to even the contest at 2-2. Kyle Clement led of the inning with a single to left and later moved to third on a single by Ryan Leonards. After a stolen base by Leonards put two in scoring position, Seth Harrison grounded out to second, allowing Clement to score and even the contest.
In the top of the sixth, Kodie Tidwell led off the inning with a triple to the gap in right center, but the Warhawks were unable to bring him home as two bounce outs to a drawn in infield and a strikeout ended the threat.
UL-L took its first lead of the game in the home half of the sixth. Jace Conrad led off the inning with a walk and was able to move to third thanks to a stolen base and a throwing error. After a strikeout and an intentional walk, Michael Strentz delivered a sacrifice fly to center that allowed Conrad to score (unearned) and give UL-L a 3-2 lead after six complete.
The Warhawks were able to even the game in the top of the eighth inning at 3-3. Anthony Herrera stepped in as a pinch-hitter and reached on a fielding error by UL-L third baseman, Ryan Leonards. After Tidwell was hit by a pitch with one out, a passed ball by catcher Michael Strentz allowed Herrera to move to third and Tidwell to reach second. Herrera crossed home on a fielder's choice by Moore; Tidwell was caught in a rundown and was ultimately tagged out going back to second base (6-5-4).
UL-Lafayette plated a quartet of runs off of the ULM bullpen to claim a 7-3 advantage after eight full innings. The Cajuns, en route to the win, scored their runs on a sacrifice fly, a RBI single, a wild pitch and a sacrifice bunt.
ULM reliever Alex Dumaine (3-6) took the loss after failing to record an out while allowing three runs on one hit and two walks. UL-L reliever Matt Plitt (2-0) earned the win after recording the final four outs of Wednesday's contest.
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:
· Kodie Tidwell's sixth inning triple was the second of the season (and career) for the sophomore… It was also just the second triple allowed in 2014 by UL-L's Austin Robichaux.
· Tyler Bray made his second career start on Wednesday and it was his 60th career appearance… Over his last two outings against UL-L, Bray logged 14.1 innings of work, 10 hits, four runs, three earned runs, five walks and seven punchouts.
· Ross Moore set a new career-high with three RBI on Wednesday afternoon.
· ULM put the first runs on the board in each of the last four contests against UL-L.
Scoring Summary:
· ULM 2, UL-L 0 – Top 1: Ross Moore singled up the middle; Keelin Rasch scored from third, Kodie Tidwell scored from second.
· ULM 2, UL-L 1 – Bottom 3: Ryan Leonards flied out to center field, sacrifice fly; Kyle Clement scored from third.
· ULM 2, UL-L 2 – Bottom 5: Seth Harrison grounded out to second; Kyle Clement scored from third.
· UL-L 3, ULM 2 – Bottom 6: Michael Strentz flied out to center field, sacrifice fly; Jace Conrad scored from third (unearned).
· ULM 3, UL-L 3 – Top 8: Ross Moore reached on fielder's choice to shortstop; Anthony Herrera scored from third (unearned).
· UL-L 4, ULM 3 – Bottom 8: Chase Compton flied out to center field, sacrifice fly; Tyler Girouard scored from third.
· UL-L 5, ULM 3 – Bottom 8: Michael Strentz singled up the middle; Jace Conrad scored from third.
· UL-L 6, ULM 3 – Bottom 8: Caleb Adams scored on a wild pitch.
· UL-L 7, ULM 3 – Bottom 8: Kyle Clement grounded out to pitcher, sacrifice bunt; Michael Strentz scored from third.
