MOBILE, Ala. -- Eighth-seeded ULM scored the first and last run of the game, but it was not enough to overcome three home runs by fourth-seeded Texas State as the Bobcats claimed a 4-2 win Friday afternoon at Stanky Field.
The Warhawks (23-36) plated the game's first run with two outs in the top of the first inning. With two outs in the frame, Dalton Herrington doubled off of the base of the wall in right center and Ross Moore followed with a RBI single to center field to put the Warhawks ahead, 1-0.
After going scoreless over the first five innings of Friday's contest, the Bobcats (30-27) were able to break through with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. Austin O'Neal led off the frame with a walk and then, with one out in the inning, Tanner Hill homered down the left field line to put the Bobcats in front, 2-1.
An inning later, Texas State doubled its lead as Cory Geisler delivered a solo homer to left to put the Bobcats ahead, 3-1, after seven complete. Texas State tallied its third homer of the game to lead off the eighth as O'Neal homered to left to put the Bobcats ahead, 4-1.
ULM put a pair of runners in scoring position in the ninth as Kodie Tidwell walked and Justin Stawychny followed with a double down the left field line. After a strikeout, Jacob Stockton delivered a sacrifice fly to right to bring the Warhawks within two, but that would be it for the Warhawks as the Bobcats force a fly out to end the game.
Starter Alex Dumaine (3-7) earned a quality start as he surrendered just two runs on four hits in six innings of work. The southpaw also walked four and struckout four in his final collegiate appearance. Josh Leone and Carey Taylor combined to close out the game for the Warhawks. Taylor, another ULM senior, struckout a pair and allowed one hit in his final appearance.
Austen Williams (8-3) surrendered two runs on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts en route to the win. Hunter Lemke recorded his 11th save as he was about to tally the final three outs as he replaced Williams with one on in the ninth inning.
Herrington, Moore, and Stawychny all tallied two hits in the final game of the season for the Warhawks.
Post-Game Notes:
· ULM scored first in all three tournament games and finished the season scoring first in the final eight games.
· Ross Moore finished the 2014 Sun Belt Tournament with seven total RBI, including a career-best three RBI in back-to-back games (ULL, WKU).
· The three Warhawk starting pitchers (ULL – Bray [7.0], WKU – Hermeling [9.0], TXST --Dumaine [6.0]) combined to pitch 22 of the pitching staff's 25 innings of work.
Scoring Summary:
· ULM 1, Texas State 0 – Top 1: Ross Moore singled to center field; Dalton Herrington scored from second base.
· Texas State 2, ULM 1 – Bottom 6: Tanner Hill homered down the left field line; Austin O'Neal scored from first.
· Texas State 3, ULM 1 – Bottom 7: Cory Geisler homered to left field.
· Texas State 4, ULM 1 – Bottom 8: Austin O'Neal homered to left field.
· Texas State 4, ULM 2 – Top 9: Jacob Stockton flied out to right field, sacrifice fly; Kodie Tidwell scored from third.
