MONROE, La. – ULM and Central Arkansas traded the lead multiple times on Saturday night, but it was the visiting Bears that came away with a 10-4 win at Warhawk Field in the Warhawk Classic Presented by Fieldhouse Bar and Grill.
The Warhawks, like they did on opening night, plated multiple runs in the home half of the first inning. Keelin Rasch delivered his second homer in as many nights as his two-run homer allowed Cody Stone to also score and give ULM a 2-0 lead.
Central Arkansas broke through with its first run of the game in the top of the third. Braxton Phillips was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and later came in to score on a RBI single through the left side by Nate Ferrell.
The Bears took their first lead of the game at 3-2 thanks to a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning. Tyler Langley collected a RBI on a double to left center and Phillips followed with a RBI single to give Central Arkansas a one-run lead.
ULM responded with a pair of runs in the home half of the fourth. With one out in the frame, Nathan Pugh delivered a solo homer down the right field line to tie the game at three-all. Danny Springer collected a two-out single and later crossed home plate on a Josh Faciane single to center field, giving ULM a 4-3 advantage.
Central Arkansas tied the game in the top of the sixth as Logan Preston led off the frame with a solo homer to left. The Bears were able to capitalize on Warhawk errors as they added three more runs in the frame to take a 7-4 lead after five and a half innings of play.
The Bears added a single run in the seventh and a pair of runs in the ninth to set the final score at 10-4.
Pugh and Stone paced the Warhawks at the plate. Pugh tallied a pair of hits to go along with one run and one RBI, while Stone recorded two hits and one run.
ULM starting pitcher Alex Hermeling logged 5.1 innings of work but was tagged with the loss after surrendering 10 hits and four earned runs (seven total) with two walks and one strikeout. Sophomore pitchers Anthony Herrera and Payton Coddou closed out the game as they combined to pitch the final 3.2 innings.
Braxton Phillips led the Bears with a 3-for-5 effort with three RBI and two runs. Reliever Bo Stitch earned the win after pitching 3.2 scoreless innings allowing one hit and one walk with six strikeouts.
For updates throughout the season on the baseball squad, be sure to follow the squad on twitter @ULM_BSB.
#PeddiePostGame
“Tomorrow's opponent Grambling State played us tough both times last year and they are going to be eager to get back on the diamond tomorrow as will we. Neither of us wanted to be 0-2 at this point, but that's the way it is, and our team will get some rest tonight and come out ready to play tomorrow afternoon.”
#WarhawkNotables
-Spencer Hemphill made his collegiate debut Saturday night as the freshman started behind the plate.
-Payton Coddou saw his first action of the season as he logged two innings of relief work on the hill.
-Keelin Rasch belted his second homer of the season and the sixth of his Warhawk career in the bottom of the first inning… On the weekend, Rasch has tallied four RBI and scored four runs.
-Nathan Pugh belted his first homer as a Warhawk with a solo homer in the fourth inning.
-Will Daniels and Justin Crouch recorded their first at-bats at ULM as each entered as a pinch hitter in the eighth.
#NextGame
ULM will close out the Warhawk Classic Presented by Fieldhouse Bar and Grill tomorrow against Grambling State. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.
